I just wanted to take a quick minute out and personally thank Spell Cosmetics for including me in their contests on BlogTv last night. It was GREAT fun and we had such a blast. We gave out great prizes and all in all had a fun time.
If you haven’t been over to their site, please do so! Especially now! They are having a great weekend of sales, give-aways and all kinds of great stuff. Complete customer appreciation and great service.
Subscribe to their youtube and you can win things. Go to their blogtv and when they have a live show you can even win some of their great products!! Seriously, how can you not win
I finally posted an ACTUAL video on my channel today. Yes- I did
I hope to get back to the swing of things and do some reviews, a couple tutorials, and a fun collaboration with a friend of mine from YT.
Today I posted a video I did about my hair ritual.
Since I have thick and “ethnic” hair, I usually do not wash more than twice a week. When I do wash my hair- I either do one of two things. I either let the curl/waves that I naturally have, bounce around by air drying or diffusing. Or I let it air dry and then I straighten it with my Chi 1 inch Pink Dazzler. I usually only straighten my hair once during those two washes. I try not to use too much heat on my hair therefore I do not use a blow dryer before straightening it.
Another thing I like to do at least once every 4 to 6 weeks, is a hot oil treatment. Hot oil treatments are essential in my own hair care rituals. Simply because damage is done to our hair on a daily basis. Brushing, curling, straightening, dying, use of hair products, pollution, humidity, and the list goes on. Basically, everyday we cause small if not decent amounts of damage to our hair. It’s important to give your hair a hot oil treatment from time to time if you want to restore moisture, shine and all around scalp health.
Another reason I decided to do a hot oil treatment, was that I had tried a new shampoo. Now, I will not reveal that shampoo simply because I could rant about it all day long and the point of this entry is to talk about hot oil treatments. Let’s just say this shampoo left me not only PO’d about all the hype, but left me itchy and my scalp was quite flaky. Once I did my hot oil treatment, my scalp was moisturized, clean and happy. My hair was shiny, and had much more life and bounce.
I also show in the video below my new Chi Flatiron that I purchased for my birthday on Amazon. I bought it for $70 from an independent seller on their site. Please read the sidebar of the original video , because I give that seller’s information (They still have a few Chi’s available for very decent prices) as well as giving you information on how to find a reputable seller of decently priced hair care tools, as well as how to spot a fake Chi. Yes- they are out there unfortunately.
Anyhow- kitchen cupboard beauty tip, you ask? Yes- let’s get to that shall we?
Hot oil treatments come in all ready packaged containers such as VO5’s well known hot oil treatment that will run you about $5 and some change. Very inexpensive and so worth every penny. If you want to do it yourself and rather not spend that five dollah, I suggest using the at home alternative. Soybean or Olive Oils will do the trick nicely.
Micro way:
Get a large, microwave safe bowl and add about half a cup of Olive or Soybean oil.
Stovetop Way:
In a pot add the same amount as above with your choice. You can add some rosemary and even honey. These will add a nice smell yet not cause any interference with the oil treatment at all.
Make sure the oil has come to a decent temperature and is nice and hot. NOW- DO NOT ADD THIS OIL TO YOUR HAIR OR SCALP YET. Disclaimer- use your brain and don’t burn yourself and then blame me, please. Thanks
After the oil has come to a decently warm enough temp, begin applying it to your scalp and work it in all through out your hair, ends, etc. Basically what you need to do is saturate all of your hair. Comb it through with a nice wide tooth comb. Wrap a towel, or scarf around your head and then put on a shower cap. You can leave this on anywhere from one hour to your entire day (if you’re just at home relaxing which is what I did). Once you decide the length of time, rinse the oil out and then wash and condition normally.
You will most likely feel the results instantly. A clean fresh feeling that is just one of those “Ahhh yes” feelings. And yes, it feels that good.
Usually I let my hair air dry and then style as I normally would hours later or the next day. If you try this, let me know what you think and how it worked out for you.
Below is my YT video talking about all these various things.
Take care and have a great week!
I have been a bit busy lately, so please accept my sincerest apologies with not writing on the blog in about a week or so.
Just a quick update and then hopefully in a day or two I can get back into the swing of things.
I will bullet, to keep from writing an entry that is so long I could get it published as a memoir.
Myself and my children all had a hellacious virus/flu thing. I am still hacking up a lung like a smoking, drunkard and barefooted hill woman. But I am feeling better ;D
The time change. My kids get all flabbergasted and me and the husband can’t figure out what time or year it is for about 2 weeks.
Lay Offs from Hell going on at my husband’s job. So far- he’s ok. But Oh My God- PLEASE keep everything ok, or I will be working at your local craft store as a cashier to help make ends meet. (Hey the employee discount is tempting- supplies for %’s off??!)
The Collab channel I was a part of has closed without notice. I have no clue what happened. I know a few of the women have real life issues going on.
Life.
So- yea! I haven’t forgotten about the blog. Shit- I am not even sure I have readers. Are you a reader? Let me know
I will be focusing on my own Youtube channel and am in the works with a very special guru that will be collaborating with me on some really cool stuff, so stay tuned for that one.
I will also most likely bring over my WTFriday moment’s from FRW’s channel to those of you that liked that little segment.
So- there you have it.
Thanks for checking in and stay tuned for more goodies.
While learning about lemon juice and it’s uses in helping scar tissue I found out about this stuff…
Rosa Mosqueta Oil.
I have never heard of this. Have any of you? I know I have heard of people using rose water for the purpose as an astringent and for dry skin (*take note those of you with dry skin that wanted to try my scrub!) as well as for the delightful scent it gives.
The Rosa De Marqueta supposedly works in a similar way. Taken from the site Rio Health Direct:
Rio Rosa Mosqueta is a special Rose Hip therapeutic Oil from Chile and is particularly rich in essential fatty acids (EFA), which are known to be necessary constituents of cell membranes, in the synthesis of the hormone, like prostaglandins and in skin welfare. This pure, unscented oil from a wild rose of the Andes can be used to maintain freshness and texture in the skin, to attenuate scars and to help prevent the signs of premature ageing. For healing scars expect a benefit after 6 to 8 weeks.
Have you used this? If so what is your take? Pro’s? Con’s?
Aha! I just found a Rose Water & Glycerin Facial!!! More Cupboard Goodies (although roses should not be in your cupboard, but may be in your gardens or you could even purchase dried rose petals very inexpensively. ) Taken from the site Care2 Healthy & Green Living :
Rose Water and Glycerin Facial Cleanser
Rose water is one of the all-time best and most traditional facial
cleansers, because rose is astringent, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic,
and has a lovely scent.
INGREDIENTS
1 cup rose-infused water
2 teaspoons glycerin
5 to 10 drops rose essential oil
Place a handful of dried rose petals in a mason jar, cover with boiling water, seal, and let set overnight. Note that dried rose petals are available in many health food stores (as is vegetable glycerin), or online from herbal supply stores.
After the rose petal infusion has set overnight, strain. Combine the ingredients in a pretty jar, and shake to blend. Note that you will extend the shelf life if you add 1/2 a teaspoon of grapefruit seed extract (available in health food stores). The antiseptic quality of essential oils will also act as a preservative.
So there we have it! For those of you with dry skin and scarring, use the above recipe for a nice rose petal water to use as an astringent and to help with scarring.
And for those of you lemon lovers without drying issues, use the lemon & brown sugar facial scrub below.
I love when I find good beauty tips. I love it even more when I find good tips using things in my kitchen cupboards! You can achieve the same if not better results as an expensive spa facial, deep conditioning of the hair, and even make up removal.
I decided to share with you some tips called Kitchen Cupboard Beauty tips. In times like these, we don’t have to ignore ourselves! You can take care of your skin, hair and body with easy tips. Using everyday things you can find waiting in your cupboards!
One of my favorite tips of all time.
Using lemons and brown sugar for your face. I recommend doing this once a month.
You will need one lemon or lime. And a small dash of brown sugar. Sounds yummy and no you don’t need ice to make lemonade, we’re going to do a facial scrub!
Squeeze half a lemon (or lime) into your cupped palm. Not overflowing, but enough to make a small little puddle of lemon juice.
Next, add a few sprinkles of brown sugar. Rub together the juice from the lemon, and the brown sugar with your index finger from your free hand, making the combination into a watery scrub texture. Once you have done that you can rub the combination with both hands.
Apply to your face with both hands, in circular motions. This will gently exfoliate dead skin.
After you have exfoliated then you rinse with a warm wash cloth and then pat dry.
Do this once a month to keep skin exfoliated, pores cleansed and the size of pores also reduced. This also helps prevent and cure blackheads.
Why lemon? Lemon is a natural astringent.
Why brown sugar? Brown sugar moisturizes and rejuvenates skin as well as it gently exfoliates and removes dead skin cells.
Try it out and let me know what you think!
** Edit disclaimer:
While researching about this I have learned that some of you have dry skin and are a bit apprehensive about trying this out. I would not recommend using this Cupboard Tip if you have normally dry skin as the acidity in the citrus will aggrivate that more.
At the same time I have learned that lemon juice helps in fighting acne scarring. Lemon juice is a citric acid and belongs to the group of Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) that slough off dead skin, promote elasticity of the skin, and encourage new skin cell growth. Lemon juice is one of few home remedies for acne that also works for scars. But I only recommend using this once or twice a month. Again, because of drying of the skin.
