Sassy shampoo

Shampoo is a much needed necessary product, but is not the most healthy one. Sulfats, isoproply alcholah, formaldehyde, and p  ropylene Glycol are some harmful ingredents in shampoo. But, you cant stop using shampoo all togther so heres a great homemade recipe I adore. 

Natural Homemade Shampoo Recipe:

• 1/4 cup coconut milk (homemade coconut milk works best depending on your hair type)
• 1/3 cup Liquid Castille Soap 
• 1/2 of a teaspoon (or several capsules) of Vitamin E oil (optional)
• 20 drops of Essential Oils of choice (my favorite is lavender)
• For dry hair: add 1/2 tsp olive or almond oil (optional)

How to Make Natural Shampoo:

1. Combine all ingredients in an old shampoo bottle or jar of some kind (pump soap dispensers and even foaming dispensers work well for this. If you use a foaming dispenser, add 1/4 cup of distilled water)
2. Shake well to mix.
3. Keep in shower for up to a month.
4. Shake before each use.
5. Use about a teaspoon every time you shampoo.
6. If you use a foaming dispenser, it also makes a great shaving cream- just dilute with 1/4 cup distilled water!

~Ta Ta for Now SST~

Cool Condition

Every girl needs that perfect to condition to keep there hair silky smooth, but, not all conditions are healthy. Some of the harmful ingredents in conditionar are Diethanolamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA), and monoethanolamine (MEA),DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea and imidazolidinyl urea are preservatives that release formaldehyde, FD&C Red No. 6, or D&C Green No. 6. Fragrance, Lanolin, Lead, Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats), Propylene Glycol and, Phenylenediamine. Instead of using Sheer Blond ditch it for this great new recipe that works great!

You will need:

• 1 Tbsp ACV (apple cider vinegar)
• 1 cup water 

I suggest combining ingredients in a clean squirt bottle (if its a cleaning product make sure you wash it thoroughly) for your conditioner. Double up on ingredients until you fill your bottle – the recipe above makes 8 ounces.

How to use

Simply shake the bottle before each use and gently massage into the hair and scalp for a minute or two and rinse.  After drying, your hair will not smell like vinegar.  Trust me.

This conditioner is the best option for use after a homemade shampoo. Whether you are making a castile soap-based shampoo, or a baking soda-based shampoo, the vinegar rinse will smooth the hair and eliminate the greasy, sticky feeling some of these homemade shampoos may leave.
~Ta Ta for Now SST~

Ravishing recipe!!!!

 Here is a great chap stick recipe that's healthy and really works. Its personally one of my favorite recipes that I have used yet. 

Ingredients

• 1 part beeswax (example- 1 tablespoon)
• 2 parts shea, cocoa or mango butter (example-2 tablespoons)
• 2 parts coconut oil (example-2 tablespoons)
• 20 drops of essential oil of choice (or more or less to your preference) I use 20+ drops of peppermint essential oil for a cooling and refreshing lip chap.

Instructions

1. Put about an inch of water in the bottom of a small pan and turn on medium heat.
2. Place a small (pint size or smaller) jar in the water, being careful not to get in water inside the jar.
3. Place all ingredients except the essential oils inside the glass jar and slowly melt, making sure not to get any water in jar. I use 2 tablespoons each of the butter(s) and coconut oil and 1 tablespoons of beeswax. This fills about 18 tubes.
4. When all ingredients are melted, stir well and turn off heat, but leave jar in the water to keep warm.
5. Stir in the essential oils.
6. Use a glass dropper to quickly fill the containers. I leave the jar in the water but turn off the heat to keep the ingredients liquid while I do this.
7. The mixture will settle slightly as it cools, so I also re-top the containers after about 2 minutes as they start to harden.
8. Let sit without touching for several hours or until completely hardened.
9. Store in a cool dry place (they will last for at least a year if stored correctly).
10. Enjoy!

~Ta Ta for Now SST~

Luscious Lips

Chapped Lips? Cracking? Bleeding?

Well that's no good, so lets go find an amazing, healthy chap stick. 

Here are a few healthy chap sticks, that really make a difference on your lips. 

• Eos- Works well, but container makes it inconvenient to carry. 
• Polysporin-works well, but messier then a stick. 
• Burt's bee- works well but not a lot of flavor choices

Overall, I love all of the products but, Eos, with its interesting style, tons of flavor choices and clean solid material is my favorite. In a close second is Burt's bees because of its mess free easy to carry container. Lastly,polysporin because of its Vaseline like texture and squeeze bottle. 

~Ta Ta for Now SST~

DIY Shower Jellies!

One of the most fun products from LUSH is their shower jellies! They look like jell-o, but they're not for eating! These jellies pack some serious cleaning power.

Recipe:

• 2 packages of unflavored gelatin
• 3/4 C boiling water
• 1/2 C shampoo or castile soap
• 30 drops-essential or fragrance oils
• body safe coloring if desired 
• 1 tsp salt
• Desired molds. Silicone molds, square mold, shallow fun shaped molds or muffin tin molds. Could also use small plastic jars.
• body safe glitter if desired
• 
  
• 1. Prepare the molds for your shower jelly. Place them onto a cutting board or cookie sheet to make them easier to move. Sprinkle body safe glitter lightly onto the molds, if you like.
• 2. Pour the packets of gelatin into the boiling water. Stir completely using a wire whisk until the gelatin is dissolved.
• 3. Add the shampoo and the essential oil or fragrance oil and one or two drops of body safe coloring, if desired. Stir gently.
• 4. Stir in the salt and pour into desired molds.
• 5.There will be air bubbles so spritz them with a bit of alcohol.
• 6.Place in refrigerator uncovered.
• 7. After your shower jellies have hardened go jump in the shower and try them out! They will stay longer and fresher if kept in a cool, dry place.

Go try them out! Have fun!

-M.A.C.

Lily Collins Makeup Steal

So today Im doing another makeup steal! I choose Lily Collins. You might know her from City of Bones ad Clary Fray, Mirror Mirror as Snow White, or in The Blind Side as Collins, the sister. Anyways lets hop right into the makeup!

Eyebrows: She goes for BIG eyebrows. I suggest using something thats bold and will last a while. Fill in your eyebrows and don't miss a spot! Non-greasy, easy to remove brow-filler! Get a color that matches your natural hair color.

Eyes: For eyes, Lily has nice big lashes and silvery lids. I say to get the long lashes the best product to use is Organic Glam Natural Mascara . There product is organic Aloe and beeswax along with vitamins A,E and C. It curls, lengthens and conditions all in one. The formula is 60% organic and is free from artificial colours, preservatives and fragrances. 

Lips: Lilys lips are so bold! Go for bright bold color like red or pink! A good brand to use is honey bee . If your daring enough use the color "Queen Bee" ( Its super red! ) but if your not ready for the boldness, try to go for the color "Valentine", a soft pink.

Lastly, Cheeks: Try to go for a soft red or pink! Try using sephora blush . Its not that expensive and will get the job done.

thanks for reading!

kisses,

-L

Blackheads

Bye Bye Blackheads

Everyone at one or another has had a run in with some sort of acne or as I like to call them, face demons. So today I'm going to talk about the type of acne that is very common. They are called blackheads. Blackheads are created with dirt and grime are collected in the pores of your face. So how can you prevent these little monsters? Well here are a few ideas-

Methed One
1. Place your head over some steaming water
2. Apply some non toxic liquid glue to the area of blackheads
3. Let dry and peel of the glue

Methed Two
1. Mix equal parts of lime juice, almond oil, and glycerin
2. Apply lotion to face

Methed Three
1. Mix a tablespoon of 2% milk with one tablespoon of unflavored gelatin
2. Heat in microwave for ten seconds
3. Apply to nose in a pore strip like fashion
4. Let dry and peel off

Methed Four
1. Wet your face
2. Mix a teaspoon of salt with a half teaspoon of toothpaste
3. Apply to the area of blackheads for no more than five minutes
4. Rinse off with cold water (this will sting)
5. Don't apply moisturizer for a couple of hours

Methed Five
1. Grab yourself a box of pore strips and follow the instructions on that box


Bye For Now Yasmeen

Summer Series: Take care of your hair!

Hi guys! Today Im going to be telling you about different ways to take care of your hair.

1. You want to wash your hair with good-quality shampoo and conditioner. You want to stay away from shampoos that have sulfates or paragons. Sulfates is a chemical that makes shampoo lather up.  Paragons is a chemical that causes irritation and after long-time use, can cause eye problems. You want to deep condition once a week. 

• Curly or coarse hair probably wants frizz-minimizing and softening shampoo.
• Straight or oily hair probably wants a gentle shampoo designed for daily washing.
• Colored or treated hair probably needs a shampoo that's fortified with extracts or amino acids, because treating your hair is essentially damaging it.
• Dry hair probably needs shampoos with glycerin and collagen to help restore some moisture into the hair.

1. Don't comb your hair too often.  This can damage your hair and result in frizz and split ends.
2. Let your hair dry naturally and DONT PUT A TOWL AROUND YOUR HEAD to dry your hair. Its rough material, can cause split ends and frizziness. Also avoid washing it while its wet. If you do brush it, do it with a wide tooth comb.
3. Trim your hair regularly, because its the best way to get rid of split ends. Try to do it every 6-8 weeks
4. Try not to dye your hair. This drys it out your hair can can cause dryness and split ends.
5. Try not to use heat on your hair. This also dries it out and after many uses can make your hair look fake
6. Eating healthy equals healthy hair! Keep eating good and your hair will look as good as you feel.
7. Don't stress! Stress cause hair loss. Try doing yoga, biking, meditation, or other forms of exercise all work well.

Those are just some of the ways you can take care of your hair!

Kisses,

-L

facts are from here

What's Your Color?

What colors look good on you? The answer to this question depend on a variety of factors, such as skin tone, hair color, and eye color. But the most of important factor is your undertone. Here's some information to help you out on your quest for the perfect color.

Undertone is not the color of your skin, but the color underneath the surface of your skin. You can have a warm, cool, or neutral undertone. People with a warm undertone have golden or peach tones.  Their veins tend to look greenish, and they usually have brown or hazel eyes. They also have a tendency to tan instead of burn. People with a cool undertone have blue, pink or red tones. Their veins look more blue, and they are more likely to have blue, gray, or green eyes. They also burn easily.

http://www.stylecaster.com/cool-warm-skin-undertones/
M.A.C.

Hair Care: Shampoos

You've probably tried out loads of different shampoo brands, and you probably know that not all shampoos are created equal. Which ingredients do you look for? Which do you avoid? Don't worry, everything you need to know is right here.

Good Ingredients

• Glycerin
• Nut & Seed Oils
• Citric Acid/Sodium Citrate
• Panthenol

All natural or organic shampoos and conditioners are often better for your hair and scalp, but they can also be more expensive.

Bad Ingredients

• Sulfates
• Isopropyl Alcohol
• Formaldehyde
• Propylene Glycol

If you notice that your scalp is irritated, or your hair becomes dry or starts falling out, change products 

A.S.A.P.!

-M.A.C.

www.details.com/.../the-dirt-on-shampoo...

Nail Care

Hi everybody! Summer is coming and that means bright, fun colors and designs for your nails. But in order to keep your nails looking their best you need to take good care of them. Here are a few tips on healthy nails.



1. Keep your fingernails dry and clean so that bacteria and fungi cannot grow under them(yuck!).
2. When you use lotion rub it on your fingernails and cuticles as well to keep them moisturized.
3. Trim your fingernails regularly.
4. Don't bite up your nails or abuse them in any other way.
5. Using nail polish remover too often can be damaging to nails.


Enjoy your summer and make sure to take good care of your nails! You'll be happy you did!

M.A.C.
www.essie.com/Nail-Care.aspx

Homemade Conditioner

Follow up to homemade shampoo

Homemade conditioner!

    Hey guys this is a surprise part two of the homemade shampoo! This recipe is just as simple as the first one. Just two ingredients! How much easier can it get? The reason you should use this conditioner is because it is safe for all hair types and its super cheap!

Ingredients 

• One tablespoon of apple cinder vinegar
• One cup of water

Thats it! So now you should store it in a spray bottle and save it for when you are ready to shower!

Bye for now Yasmeen 

Summer Series: Skin Protecting Outfits!

Hey Guys Its Leena and today Im going to tell you some outfits that are good for your skin and look really cute!

So for any summer outfit where your going to be out in the sun, you want to protect your skin. No matter where you are or what your wearing, if its summer or sunny out side, ALWAYS WEAR SUNSCREEN! Minimum SPF should be 30+. You can even get sunburned on cloudy days! Put it on your ams, legs, hands, face, neck, feet, and anywhere else skin is showing.

Outfit One:

For outfit one, I put a tank top paired with shorts a bit on the longer side. I know its summer so you want to be wearing tanks and shorts and that ok! Just remember to wear sunscreen and don't go lazy on it! So along with this outfit I decide some bright color sunglasses make a nice accessory and will protect you eyes from the killer sun rays! Looking good while protecting yourself! Lastly for shoes, I decide to go with converse. Although there black and black attracts the sun, because there on your feet, its not as bad, and it will protect the delicate skin on the top of your feet.

Outfit Two:

For outfit two, I have a pretty lavender maxi skirt with a cute white crop tank top. Once again because it is a tank top you do need to put sunscreen on your arms. Because the maxi skirt is long and covers all of your legs, sunscreen is optional, although always a good idea in case you sit outside and your skirt moves. Also, you may not know this, but the sun's rays can go through thin fabric, so you can still be exposed.  Some cute white sandals will do the job for shoes. They're open toed and show your skin so remember to put sun screen on your feet too! Flappy Hats are so in this year! I paired an oversized flappy hat with this outfit because it adds a nice touch to the over all outfit!

Kisses,

-L

The many uses of Coconut Oil!

Hey guys this is a quick all natural tip! Just one ingredient- Coconut oil! This product is great and can be used as many things such as-

Eye makeup remover.   Put a little on a cotton pad and your set!

Moisturizer.                   Use this all over your body nice smooth skin!

All over hair product.    Smooth though hair for fuller, smoother, and softer hair!

Shaving "cream".           Smooth on legs for a close shave!

Dandruff fighter.            Massage into scalp to rid those pesky flakes!

Sunburn soother             Massage a little onto your burnt skin for some relief!

Those are a few but there are even more out there!


Bye for now Yasmeen

How to wash your hair without chemicals...

All nature homemade shampoo.

As the summer  months come rolling in let face it... we all sweat. So to keep ourselves squeaky clean we have to shower everyday.  The issue with that? When we use normal shampoos, the chemicals in it can strip our hair from the natural oils that coat the hair strands and keep it healthy. So the solution to our problem? An all natural D.I.Y. shampoo that is made up of two ingredients. One of which is free and the other one that is probably in your pantry cabinet!

The ingredients
-One tablespoon of baking soda
-One cup of water

Mix the two together and pour into a spray bottle. When ready to use generously spray into your hair scalp. Save the rest for later!
Bye for now Yasmeen

Summer Series: DIY Hand and Body Lotion ( Non-Greasy )

Hey guys! No one likes greasy or dry hands, so today Im going to teach you a simple DIY so your hands will be looking great for summer fun!
What you need:

• 1 cup pure aloe vera gel, or distilled water
• ½ cup grated beeswax
• ½ cup sweet almond, grapeseed, or jojoba oil
• 1 tsp Vitamin E oil
• 15 drops essential oil

Recipe from http://www.diynatural.com/homemade-lotion/ 

What you want to do:

1. In a good sized bowl, you want to combine the pure aloe vera gel, vitamin E oil, and essential oils together. Set it aside so it becomes room temperature. 
2. Next you want to add the grated beeswax and oil into a glass measuring cup. Place the cup in a pot of water and bring it to a gentel boil. Keep mixing it in the cup until the beeswax if completely melted, and then move the glass cup away from the pot.
3. Pour beeswax mixture into a blender and allow it to cool. Make sure its still soft.
4. Once it cool, add the aloe vera mixture into the beeswax mixture in the blender and turn it on 
5. Blend until you have the consistency of the cream you want it to be at.
6. Transfer your mixture to some jars and refrigerate your hand cream!

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Kisses,

-L

Natural lip scrub

D.I.Y lip scrub

            Coming into the summer months our lips are probably dried and cracked from the long harsh winter. So what better way to prepare our lippies for summer than a due it yourself lip scrub? Best thing about it is that these ingredients are all natural and can be found around your house!

                                                                       What You'll Need


                          -One tablespoon of  olive oil
                          -One tablespoon of honey
                          -Two tablespoons of brown sugar

Mix all three of the ingredients together and thats it. To use take a little bit and rub onto your lips. Rinse off and apply a lip blame to sooth.

Bye for now Yasmeen

Beautiful Eyes

     What's the first thing people notice when they see you? You're eyes! So it makes sense that every girl wants to make sure her eyes are stunning. There are loads of different brands and products out there, so it can be hard to make a choice. But don't worry, it's easier than it looks. So let's get started!


Color: It's important to choose a palette that will enhance your natural eye color. You can also match the colors to your outfit if you prefer. A good trick is to use opposite colors. When two opposite colors are placed side by side, they help each other stand out. So if you want your eyes to really pop, then use colors that are farthest from each other on the color wheel.

• People with blue eyes should use orange-tinted colors, like apricot, gold, and peach.
• Red-tinted colors, like wine or plum are recommended for people with green eyes.
• People with brown eyes can use any color(yay!) because brown is neutral. But blues and purples are especially stunning.

Tools: If you want your makeup to look professional, then invest in professional tools and makeups. Yes, they are a little pricey, but trust me, they will improve your overall look even if your technique isn't the best. Of course, this doesn't mean you need to spend a ridiculous amount of money, but try to avoid cheap, low quality tools and brands.

Application: Use a light bronzer around the crease of your eyes to make them seem more defined. An orange-y bronzer will make blue eyes even bluer. You can also use eyeliner on both the top and bottom lash lines to make narrow eyes seem more wide-set. You can blend eyeliner with eyeshadow for a natural, defined look.

Remember that you're all beautiful with or without makeup! Inner beauty is what really counts. So don't worry if you can't get your makeup just right or if you don't have time to style your hair or something. Because other people's opinions should never bring you down. ^._.^

-M.A.C.

Summer series: beach worthy waves!

Hey guys it's Leena. Today Im starting a summer series. In my summer series, Ill be posting things about hair, makeup, skincare, and maybe even some clothes inspiration! I'll be telling you the best hair products to use, and the best skin care products to use! 
For the first post in my series,  I'm doing DIY: Easy beach waves. Some people (including me) love the way our hair looks after a day in the sun and salt water, but can't always go to the beach. No problem! I've got your back. Today I'll be be teaching you how to achieve these waves with some hair products you may just find lying around in your bathroom.

DIY: Easy Beach Waves

Method One:
What you need for method one is texturizing spray. What you do is put your hair down and add the texturizing spray to your hair. Wait and then you have beautiful beach worthy hair! If you're looking for a spray to use, try Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturing Spray.  

Method Two:
You have to do this the night before. After you washed your hair, separate it into to two braids. Sleep on it and then in the morning take it out. Loosen them up a little then add hair spray so it will hold. Viòla! Wonderful beachy waves!

Method Three:
Take your curling wand (preferably 1.5-2 inch) and start curling! Start half way down from your crown, and work down. Loosen and separate the curls until they're soft. Add hair spray so it will stay all day long at the beach (or ya know, your house!).  Don't forget to protect your hair first by using a heat protect product.  Try this one: Chemical Free Hair Protectant

Hope this helps you and your hair needs! Comment what you love most about summer! Is it the beach, pool or just spending time with your friends and family?  Anyway, have a great day, and keep on shining!
This is my instagram, and there are more tips like it on there! go check it out!

Ingredients to Avoid

     Although some products claim to be "all-natural" and contain only safe ingredients, there may be dangerous chemicals hiding on the back of the bottle. Here's a list of ingredients to avoid, especially in lotions. Your skin will thank you!

Methyl, Propyl, Butyl and Ethyl: may cause irritating rashes and may be linked to breast cancer

Petroleum Jelly: can clog pores

Synthetic Fragrances: can cause headaches, dizziness, and respiratory problems

Propylene Glycol: causes hives and eczema

Imidazolidinyl Urea: causes dermatitis

     Watch out for these chemicals when reading the ingredients labels on beauty products. Avoid them and opt for more natural products.

-M.A.C.

Homemade Concealer

Concealer is a great tool to cover up small imperfections and help improve your overall look. Unfortunately, many makeup brands use harsh chemicals in their products that can damage your skin. Here is a recipe for a homemade concealer that will not only cover up minor flaws but also heal your skin. Have fun and feel free to tweak the recipe a little to suit your skin's needs.

Ingredients:

For the base:
Arrowroot Powder

Add one or a combination of:
Cocoa Powder
Ground Cinnamon
Nutmeg

Jojoba, Olive, or Almond Oil (optional)

Directions:

1. Start with a base of arrowroot powder (1 tsp. for dark skin – 1 Tbs. for light skin)
2. Slowly add in one or combination of the cocoa powder, cinnamon, or nutmeg until you reach your desired tone.
3. If you want more of a “compact” foundation, add some jojoba/olive/almond oil to the mixture and press down into a compact. (Start with 5 drops and keep adding until it reaches your desired texture).

Use a brush to apply foundation. Make sure to tap off excess before swiping face.


Click here to read more about this recipe: http://www.thankyourbody.com/homemade-foundation/

Bye! - M.A.C.

Recipe!!!

Mascara is a great product but can be highly unhealthy for use. Here's a great fun recipe to try out. 

What you’ll need:

2 tsp coconut oil (where to find coconut products)
4 tsp aloe vera gel (like this)
1/2 tsp grated bees wax (like this, or save time and use this)*
1 – 2 capsules of activated charcoal (for black) or cocoa powder (for brown)
a clean mascara container (like this)

* Update: Due to temperature differences you may want to add more beeswax to give more “hold” to your mascara. Keep in mind that coconut oil is a liquid above 75 degrees. I’d increase the beeswax to 3/4 or even 1 tsp if it’s really warm where you live… or if you want more of a “waterproof” mascara.

**Activated charcoal can be found in most health food stores or online. This is not the same stuff you use to get your grill going, okay? Also, some people have responded in the comments that activated charcoal might not be good to use close to your eyes. If you’re worried, go with the cocoa powder to be safe.

Directions:

1. Put coconut oil, aloe vera gel, and grated bees wax in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir until beeswax is completely melted.

2. Open 1 – 2 capsules of activated charcoal (depending on desired color, about 1/4 – 1/2 tsp) and pour into oil mixture. Stir until completely incorporated. Remove from heat.

3. Pour into a small plastic bag, pushing the mixture down to one corner. Then cut a very small hole in the opposite corner of the bag.

~Ta Ta for Now SST~

Bad Hair and Body Wash?

One major issue when buying products is finding the ingredients. How do you know whether or not its healthy? You usually don't.  We're going to take you on our adventure to find out whether or not Arbonne Baby Care Hair and Body wash is healthy.
After an hour of searching, we finally found that the soap is indeed healthy.
We found that the following ingredients are used in there products are:

Here are some of the main ingredients in the area:
Decyl glucoside
Aloe 
Oat
None of the following ingredients are harmful and are all safe to use.
~Ta Ta for now SST~
-M.A.C.

Product review

The best product I just found is called Eminence Organic Skin Care Sweet Red Rose Cleanser. This amazing and healthy product only has about 29 products total. 
Here are some of the main ingredients in this cleanser:

Sweet Red Rose Petals: soothe and hydrate

Sweet Red Rose Oil: replenish skin’s moisture barrier

Lemon Juice: assists in toning and reducing visible signs of aging

Biocomplex: a booster of antioxidants, vitamins, Coenzyme Q10, and Alpha Lipoic Acid to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve the appearance of skin

This product is great for many reasons, but, my favorite part is that on the back label where it says "Our products contain all organic fruits, vegetables and herbs. They do not contain harmful chemicals or animal by-products.They are not tested on animals and are packaged in environmentally friendly packaging." All of there products are extremely healthy and I recommend that you try some of there products for yourself.  This product is also highly popular because its very sensitive and gentle on skin, smells like roses and is all natural. 

Personally, I love this brand and recommend you use it! 

~Ta Ta For Now SST~