Fresh Ideas For You

Rusk Deep Shine Lusterizer

ideasfromlivy@yahoo.com (Livy) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 22:40:00 +0000

When my hair is frizzy or looks a little dry, I like to use a product that keeps my hair smooth and healthy looking. The Rusk Deep Shine lusterizer helps my hair achieve just that. It definitely is not a miracle worker, but it makes my hair look shinier and smoother. The product has a nice scent that isn't overwhelming like some products. When your hair is dry, dab a small amount of the cream into your hands and apply it to the ends of your hair. I don't recommend this to people with oily hair, but it makes dry hair look healthier. You can purchase this product at salons for around $12. ;) Enjoy!!

Quick Update

ideasfromlivy@yahoo.com (Livy) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 22:27:00 +0000

Hello everyone! Please forgive me for the lack of posts recently :(
I have been sick... and extremely busy...
My birthday was yesterday and that was fun! Spring Break was last week and I worked so hard. Ha ha I need to make some money! Also, my mother is opening a spa soon and I am so excited for that. It will be amazing to be able to do a bunch of reviews on some new products. I started using a mineral makeup that the spa will be carrying and I love it! I will definitely have a review on that soon. Jane Iredale mineral makeup...
New posts will be coming soon! :D

Cartilage Piercing

ideasfromlivy@yahoo.com (Livy) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 22:42:00 +0000

Hello! Now I know that piercings are not for everyone, especially in your cartilage. I am in high school so they are pretty common and most girls like them. I think it looks really cute! I pierced my cartilage myself, and yes there are two holes. I recommend going to a professional if you don't know what you are doing. I bought a piercing kit at Walmart for around $10.. it really depends on the earring you get. Please please do not get a regular earring and try to pierce your ear! There is a certain type of earring called a stud post, which is a stud earring with a sharp end used for piercing. When you buy the kit, they will pierce your ear for free..but you have to be 18. Obviously I am not 18 so I purchased the kit and did it myself (I got away with buying it even though I'm not old enough.) If you decide to get your cartilage pierced, keep it clean and twist the earring a lot.

Is there pain? Yes and no. The actual piercing part is not painful, even though you might think so. It is like someone pinched your ear so don't be afraid! Now the next two weeks will be painful. Your ear will be super sore, but trust me.. you can handle it. The pain doesn't last forever!

And for the record.. I am not telling people they should go out and pierce their cartilage. I just want to shed some light on what happened with me. Personally, I think it looks great and I love mine! If you want it your cartilage pierced, I hope this helped :) If not, at least you are informed!

My Favorite Youtube Channels

ideasfromlivy@yahoo.com (Livy) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:44:00 +0000

Couldn't Live Without Youtube!

Like a lot of people, I am a huge fan of Youtube. I have been watching makeup tutorials and beauty reviews on Youtube, so I want to share a few of my favorite channels!

Moonbeamstarlight Ling is so laid back and she keeps it very fun.. I love the way she describes products, too!

Vanity Makeup Nicole does really interesting reviews and tutorials, and her Australian accent is fun to listen to! Check out her blog here.

The Current Custom Lorraine has the most hauls out of everyone I have seen! She always shows a ton of new products, and her latest contest is really cool. I want to win!

I am a subscriber to so many more channels, but these are just a few of my faves! Also, there is a new show on Fox called Dollhouse (picture above.) It is a really different type of show and I love it! You can watch it for free here. There are about 3 episodes so far, but it comes on every Friday at 9 pm/8 pm central. Another show I just started watching is Lie To Me on Fox. I swear I am getting better at telling when someone is lying to me! When I was reading my friend Tori's blog, she mentioned the coolest site. Blackle. It is a search engine by Google, but it saves energy. Check it out and for more tips, look at Tori's blog here.

Clinique 3 Step System

ideasfromlivy@yahoo.com (Livy) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 21:47:00 +0000

Hello! I think that your skin and hair are some of the most important things to maintain. Let's save hair for another day, because I want to talk about skincare. There are people who splash water on their face and that is their idea of "washing" it. No no no.. I began using the Clinique skincare system Christmas day to be exact. My skin has literally become so much smoother and healthier looking. It used to look washed out and dry, but now it has a glow to it. I have really dry skin and I am not prone to breakouts so I use Type II. I am supposed to be Type I, but the saleswoman said if I want extra exfoliation then I should try Type II. There is a quiz that you can take to find out your skin type here. So for about $53 you can buy the 3 step skincare package that includes liquid facial soap, clarifying lotion, moisturizing lotion, a lotion pump, and a clear Clinque bag to hold everything. All products are 100% fragrance free.

Step 1: Liquid facial soap 6.7 fl.oz.
It makes your skin feel really smooth and clean.
Step 2: Clarifying lotion 16.5 fl.oz.
This is not actually a lotion. It is a liquid and the 3 step set comes with a pump to screw on the bottle. When you use all of the lotion, keep the pump to put on your next bottle. This lotion has a strong smell like rubbing alcohol. To use this product, pump the liquid on a cotton ball and rub on your face. It might burn a little and I thought I was allergic to it, but this is completely normal!
Step 3: Dramatically different moisturizing lotion. 4.2 fl.oz.
This hydrates my skin so well! I love this because my skin feels so smooth. A little of this lotion goes a long way.

I really recommend this for your skin. I have dry skin, so these products fit my needs. If you have oily skin there are products for you, too. I am not even halfway finished with my products so they last a long time. You may be hesitant to buy the whole set at first, so try the sample sized products. Here is a link to read about each step. The bag that came with it is great. When I bought the 3 step products, I received a free silver tote. They probably don't have that anymore, but go to your local Clinique store and check out their freebies!

Be Happy :)

ideasfromlivy@yahoo.com (Livy) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:13:00 +0000

Hello! I am back from New Orleans and Mardi Gras was very fun. I was very lazy on my exercises and I could not stop shoving great food in my mouth. I need to get back into a healthy routine, and feel free to try some of these tips. Everyone needs a little inspiration for things like this, so get inspired! Also, this list is not limited to healthy eating or anything. It contains goals for maintaing my look such as filing my nails every week. I always let my nails get bad, so I want to try to keep them healthier looking. Some of these things are a bit frivolous, but whatever. Ha ha I need to write stuff down or I will never remember. When you follow even a couple of these tips, you feel better about yourself and in turn, you are happy! Enjoy..

Exercise or practice yoga 3 times a week.

Everything in moderation, so try not to eat too many unhealthy foods. I will probably limit myself to one sweet food item each day.

Drink plenty of water, which clears your skin and helps your body digest food.

Don't drink any soft drinks except for Sprite. Cokes and similar drinks stain your teeth, and are not good for you.

Take vitamins.. I wrote about the brand I use in a previous post here. I stopped using them and just forgot. :(

Keep nails in good shape by filing them and painting them when they chip.

Maintain my self tan by applying lotion everyday on my legs and arms. I did a post on my favorite self tanner here.

Have any more tips? Leave a comment!

I do have more posts coming up. It takes me so long to get around to writing a review on products and other things! They are coming so here are a few that are in the works.

Clinique 3 step skin care system

Rusk Deep Shine lusterizer

Clinique high impact mascara

Jane Iredale mineral makeup
Cartilage piercing

Cutting bangs for your hair

& more! Feel free to request!

Loreal Voluminous Eyeliner

ideasfromlivy@yahoo.com (Livy) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 23:03:00 +0000

BOLD EYELINER!

I updated the Google Idea of the Week, which is now Camilla Belle. She is a gorgeous actress who you are probably familiar with. She is in When A Stranger Calls and 1000 B.C. (one of my favorite movies.) You can check her out in the new movie Push, too. If you are a huge Twilight fan like me then you know that she is friends with Robert Pattinson aka Edward Cullen. So look to the right of the page, and Google her!

And.. back to business. I am loving the Loreal Voluminous eyeliner right now. It is an eyeliner pen with a slanted tip. The tip allows you to choose the thickness of your liner, and it really makes your eyes pop! The eyeliner is relatively easy to apply, and it gives you a very dramatic, bold look. I used it in my Mardi Gras inspired look, which is my previous post. The eyeliner pen does not smudge because of how quick it dries. The price is around $10 and it is available at any drugstore. Check out the swatches I did (love the wavy one!) Also, if anyone has a request, comment, or suggestion please leave me a comment or email me!

Mardi Gras Look!

ideasfromlivy@yahoo.com (Livy) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 23:46:00 +0000

MARDI GRAS!

PURPLE, GOLD, & GREEN!

I am so sorry that it has been a week since I updated! I want to tell everyone that I am going to New Orleans this weekend for Mardi Gras! I am super excited, and I came up with a makeup look for the festivities. Now I know that Louisiana is basically the only place that celebrates Mardi Gras, but this is still a fun look for a night out. It is dramatic and yes, very sparkly.. feel free to tone it down. I love experimenting with makeup, but I am in no way an expert! I did this makeup in about 5 minutes so it is easy.. I did do a messy job on my eyeliner. Haha. Enjoy!

Products I used:

Maybelline New York eyeshadow in Antique Jade 165 (green shadow)

CQ eyeshadow in Very Violet 305. Far left shade. (inner corner purple)

Covergirl eyeshadow in Gold Sizzle 420 (lightly dusted over brow bone)

Lancome eyeshadow in Bikini Golden. Bottom right shade. (dusted heavily over brow bone)

Clinique High Impact mascara in 01 Black

Loreal Voluminous eyeliner pen in black

Sally Hansen Diamond Strength Nail Color

ideasfromlivy@yahoo.com (Livy) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:04:00 +0000

Hey hey everyone! I was in Walmart the other day looking at the makeup, and I saw the cutest nail polishes with a diamond (definitely fake) on them. I immediately bought a couple! The Sally Hansen Diamond Strength polishes cost around $4 each. I got Sweetheart, a girly, pink cotton candy color, and Flawless which is just a clear base coat. Painting your nails is usually a huge hassle, because the polish chips in just a few days. However, these polishes lasted an outstanding two weeks on my nails before they chipped. It does take about ten minutes for the nail polish to dry due to its thickness. Don't make my mistake the first time I used the polish! I thought I could do a quick nail job before I went to work... well, they were not dry and looked horrible! There is no way to get the nail polish to dry except for waiting. There is no rushing this nail polish to dry, but the wait is worth it. No more touch ups every two days! Yay.

Crest White Strips Pro Effects

ideasfromlivy@yahoo.com (Livy) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:50:00 +0000

Hey everyone! A couple of months ago I decided to try the Crest White Strips Pro Effects, and I loved them. These strips are Crest's highest level of whitening, and I saw results within 3 days of using them. You apply the strips for 30 minutes twice a day for 10 days. While using the strips, I did experience a lot of sensitivity in my gums and teeth. My gums hurt so bad by the third day! Not everyone deals with sensitivity, but the results that I got was worth the pain. My teeth got significantly whiter each day, and many people comment on how great they look. I dealt with the sensitivity by applying the strips once a day, and sometimes I skipped a day. The results are the same, but it just takes longer. I think you are supposed to do the whitening treatment twice a year to retain your white smile. I actually never got around to using all my strips.. So if they can get any whiter then that's amazing. The price is $4o, but you have to realize professional whitening costs hundreds of dollars more!
If you do decide to buy the strips, here are some tips:

Keep your mouth shut while you are wearing the strips! You don't want a ton of saliva to build up in your mouth.
When you wear the strips, rub your teeth occasionally to get rid of the air bubbles that form.
After removing the strips, rinse your mouth out with water and wipe your teeth with a Kleenex to get the sticky stuff off.

Free Music From Lala!

ideasfromlivy@yahoo.com (Livy) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 02:00:00 +0000

I know how sketchy the music sites that offer free downloads are these days, and I don't blame you for being cautious. Most of the time the music is not even free, and you have to give the company your credit card number and personal information.

Lala is a music site where you buy your music for 10 cents per web download, or 89 cents per MP3 download. It is very easy to join, and the only information needed is your name and email address. Once you are a member, they give you 50 free web downloads. You can only listen to web downloads from your computer, but I listen to the majority of my music from my iTunes library anyways. One reason to switch to Lala, or to just begin your music library, is because it is much cheaper considering songs on iTunes range from 99 cents to $1.29.

Some people find Limewire and similar sites more convenient, and yes a lot cheaper (free), but it slows down your computer significantly, and it is illegal.. You can listen to the whole song or album before buying it on Lala. On iTunes, you can only listen to a 30 second clip. I encourage everyone to at least join and use your free web downloads. It really is free! I am listening to John Mayer's album Continuum, and I have loved it since it came out. It's amazing!

Click here to visit the Lala site!

Pantene Beautiful Lengths

ideasfromlivy@yahoo.com (Livy) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 03:09:00 +0000

Super Bowl Sunday!! And... my team lost :(

I just finished using the last of my Pantene Beautiful Lengths shampoo and conditioner, which cost about 8 dollars together. The shampoo and conditioner are designed with "Aquacurrent Science" to help strengthen your hair, and in turn, make it grow longer. What attracted me to these products was the commercial.. I cannot resist products that are supposed to give me long, silky hair like the woman in the ad! I am impressed with this hair duo, because the creamy conditioner makes my hair feel smooth and my hair has a really nice scent that does not fade throughout the day. I have never used any shampoo or conditioner that has made my hair smell that great for so long like this one. And on another positive note, I really believe my hair has grown a lot faster because of this hair system. Also, when you purchase one of the Beautiful Lengths products, Pantene donates money to a program that helps women with cancer. I highly recommend these products, so enjoy!

And check out the Google Search Idea this week! I cannot wait for this movie, so check out the trailer. Look in the sidebar>>>>

Clean & Clear Morning Burst

ideasfromlivy@yahoo.com (Livy) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 03:05:00 +0000

Hello everyone! A couple of months ago, I used the Clean & Clear Morning Burst Facial Scrub and Moisturizing Lotion. I bought the products at Walmart for a few dollars each.. They were inexpensive. The facial scrub smelled really good, and I did like the bursting beads in it. The lotion, however, made my face sting. I kept on using the products for a few more days, and finally I realized I was allergic to them. Yeah.. I am not sure what exactly was going through my head when the lotion was burning so badly, and I continued using it. Ha ha. Anyways, I had a huge rash on my face, which went away in about a week. Well, a few days ago my cousin came into town. I decided to give her the Clean & Clear products, since I could not use them. And yes of course, I warned her. So, she loved the products! It's amazing how some people break out to some products while others do not. I guess I just have sensitve skin, but if you have used Clean & Clear products before and they worked well for you... then you may like it. They smell good (citrus) and they are inexpensive. My choice skin care system is Clinique. Stay tuned for that review!

Breakfast!!

ideasfromlivy@yahoo.com (Livy) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 01:29:00 +0000

Helloo! I just wanted to let everybody know that I have a Youtube account now. I have posted two videos on there about yoga, so check it out. There will probably be more videos to come. Please remember that I am a beginner! Ha ha so don't expect my arms to be twisted around my back touching my toes... There is also a new "idea" on my blog. There is a "Google Idea of the Week." I have a new topic that you can search every week that has interesting results. I search the idea, too! So, this week was healthy breakfast recipes. I have been eating the best oatmeal this week! I know people may think that oatmeal is disgusting, but I love it and it keeps me full. Go out a give Quaker Take Heart Oatmeal with blueberries a try people. Namaste!

My Youtube Account Here! Subscribe!

Heath Ledger's Amazing Movies!

ideasfromlivy@yahoo.com (Livy) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 23:00:00 +0000

Hey everyone. Today is the one year anniversary of Heath Ledger's death. I am a big fan of his movies, because he does such a good job in each one. It is really sad that he will never make another one, but I think that we should focus on the good. So, I want to celebrate some of the fantastic movies he has starred in. Watch and enjoy!

The Dark Knight: This movie was definitely the best movie of the summer, maybe even the year. Heath did an amazing job as the Joker in this Batman movie. I have watched it 4 times!
10 Things I Hate About You: I love this movie! This is one of Heath's earlier movies. It was made in the 90's, but that makes no difference in how funny this chick flick is. Well, even guys like this movie.
The Knight's Tale: A good movie that has action and humor. He also looks pretty good in this one, too!

Yoga Breath and Pose

ideasfromlivy@yahoo.com (Livy) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:20:00 +0000

I have recently started attending yoga classes, and I really love it! Yoga makes me feel very relaxed, and I am able to clear my head of all the problems surrounding me. I know that a lot of people have no time to go to a yoga class, so I will just tell you about the yoga breath and the mountain pose.

The Complete Breath: It allows you to breathe in so much more oxygen that a normal, shallow breath from your chest.

While sitting, relax completely on an exhale. Inhale, let your abdomen push out and begin to fill.
As your abdomen fills with air, expand your ribs and back, and fill your middle with air.
Still inhaling, fill your upper chest area.
To exhale, suck in your abdomen and let out that air, then the air in your middle, and then your upper chest.
So you are exhaling in the same pattern that you inhale: lower, middle, upper.
Practice this breath to the following count: Inhale to a count of 6; retain the breath for a count of 3; exhale to a count of 6. Practice for about 5-10 minutes.

Remember: When you inhale, push out your abdomen like your are filling up a balloon with air. Exhaling, pull in your abdomen, like a balloon deflating.

Samasthiti (Mountain Pose): Stand with your arms at your sides, and push shoulders back and down. With your arms at your sides, pretend like you are reaching for the floor. Put heels, big toe joints, and knees together. Engage muscles in the thighs, and balance weight of the body on both feet. Practice your breath with this pose, and be sure to clear your mind of any distractions!

Guess By Marciano Perfume

ideasfromlivy@yahoo.com (Livy) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:34:00 +0000

Hello everyone! Today is a very important day, because we have a new president! I think that President Bush did a good job considering the circumstances, but I am interested to see how President Obama will change our country for the better. And in beauty news... I bought the Guess by Marciano perfume several months ago. The fragrance has notes of musk, vanilla, raw wood, star fruit, grapefruit, jasmine, and dulce de leche. It is more of an evening fragrance, or something to wear out, because it has a very sophisticated scent. I have been using this perfume for a while, and the 1.7 oz bottle is nowhere near empty. Speaking of the bottle, it is very elegant and sexy with the floral pattern and gold color. This fragrance turns heads, so go check it out at your nearest department store! Peace and love!!

New Year, New Blogs

ideasfromlivy@yahoo.com (Livy) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:51:00 +0000

Hello! 2009 has given me a newfound inspiration to begin blogging again! There are so many things I want to write about, like beauty products, skin care, exercising, and music. The list literally goes on and on. My goal is to update at the very least, twice a week. Over the past several months, I have found products I adore and some that just don't work very well. I look forward to writing, and helping people look and feel better!

Cliniue Workshops

ideasfromlivy@yahoo.com (Livy) — Wed, 14 May 2008 21:28:00 +0000

Clinique is doing a variety of workshops where they are giving away samples of their products. I stopped by today and the sales lady gave me an early deal of the Attracted to Colour workshop, which starts tomorrow at my mall. She gave me a free sample of Fresh Bloom Allover Colour in Almond Blossom and some of their makeup remover. Click here and check out the workshops, and be sure to look at date and times of workshops near you!

Reviews of these two products coming soon!

Back to Blogging

ideasfromlivy@yahoo.com (Livy) — Wed, 14 May 2008 21:12:00 +0000

Wow! Has it really been almost two weeks since I have updated? School is ending and summer is coming. I can't wait to start boating and tubing at the lake, and go on my trips this summer! I started a new blog to showcase my summer trips, even though I can barely keep up with this one. :)

Well, I have missed blogging and I am glad to be back!

I will be sure to update Fresh Ideas For You at least twice a week. Thanks for all of the support!

Check out my new blog by clicking here...

Suave Bodywash

ideasfromlivy@yahoo.com (Livy) — Mon, 05 May 2008 21:25:00 +0000

Its time to take a deeeep breath and feel very alluring... in the shower! With Suave Exhale Alluring rich moisturizing body wash, you can feel just that. It makes you smell great with cinnamon and sandalwood notes. The bodywash has a sweet scent and a musky feel to it. The price? A little over three dollars, which is a steal for 12 ounces of a good bodywash. Enjoy!

Jergens Natural Glow Face Daily Moisturizer

ideasfromlivy@yahoo.com (Livy) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:56:00 +0000

I am using Jergens natural glow daily moisturizer for my face. It is supposed to "create a healthy, summer glow all year long just by moisturizing." It is a good moisturizer and it makes my skin feel smooth and hydrated, but the natural glow part was not as successful. My first few applications made my skin naturally darker, but it stopped working after a few times. The glow that the lotion creates wears off after I wash my face. When I use the moisturizer, it moisturizes my skin, but does not made my face tanner anymore. I suggest you give it a try. There are samples when you purchase Jergens self tanner lotion for your body, which is working great for me by the way.

Enjoy and maybe this product will work better for you!

Thank You Notes

ideasfromlivy@yahoo.com (Livy) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:21:00 +0000

It is proper etiquette to send a thank you note when someone has given a gift to you or done something very thoughtful. But, when a major event happens and you have to send out a ton of them, it can become a hassle to make a crafty note for everyone. My birthday was last month and I am way overdue to send my letters so, I did the worst sin a crafty person could do. I bought a pack of thank you notes from Walmart! But, it is OK! I have so much going on right now and hardly any time. I lightened up a little bit and hey, you should too! I bought a pack of ten adorable notes for three dollars. The design is simple, but cute on these Hallmark cards and there is a little glitter on the flower. Make sure you write a sweet message on the inside, and that will make the person smile!

Enviromental Tips

ideasfromlivy@yahoo.com (Livy) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:43:00 +0000

Happy Earth Day! Now, I know everyone cannot plant a tree today, but there are plenty of small things you can do to save our planet. I got most of these ideas from Seventeen magazine so enjoy! Natural light is amazing so open your blinds while getting dressed in the morning rather than using lamps. You can apply your makeup more naturally while in natural light. Also, try using the same towel all week. Just hang it up to dry after your shower and imagine how much water you are saving. When you are shopping, look out for organic cotton clothes because they do not harm the environment. A fun fact is that recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a TV for three hours. Wow! Unplug your cellphone charger when you are not using it because it uses energy just being plugged in. I do have a little trouble with remembering to unplug my charger! I must repeat the obvious... Don't litter!

Smartwater Review

ideasfromlivy@yahoo.com (Livy) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 01:31:00 +0000

So how smart is Glaceau Smartwater? Well, the water is vapor distilled, which means they change the water into vapor, then back into liquid. When the water is in vapor form, it is rid of all the impurities. Normally, you drink spring water "that comes from the ground and contains random stuff and whatever else the animals that swim in it leave behind." To top it all off, Smartwater contains electrolytes including calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Unlike other waters, it does not contain sodium, which is unhealthy in excess. I think it has a better taste than other waters. I asked other people their opinion, and most said it tasted no different from regular water. Smartwater comes in four different sizes and at my Walmart they all cost $1.08. I purchase the 750 mL, which is a sports bottle, and then I buy the largest size bottle. When I drink all of the water in the sports bottle, I refill it with the water in the larger bottle. It is less expensive that way. I don't drink Smartwater all of the time, because it is expensive, but I do like to splurge every once in a while! Did I mention the back of the water bottle is hilarious?

"We one-up the clouds by adding electrolytes just in case you do decide to hit the beach. Unfortunately, we can't fix the whole men in thongs thing."