Pink So Foxy

Southeast Asia Travel Plans

2013-05-23T16:40:00.002-10:00

There are two types of people that go on trips... Tourists on vacation. Travelers on a journey.

In 10 days, we will be embarking on a new journey, Southeast Asia. We'll be exploring Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, India... and any other countries and regions that time allows us to travel. We have 3 months to see and do as much as possible.

This is the 3rd time I've taken off with only a backpack to a far away place I've never been before. It was a spontaneous decision but long awaited for the right moment. I do extensive research on a region before I travel but I don't do much pre-planning other than obtaining the proper visas and vaccinations. I enjoy "winging" it and letting the adventure unfold as I go. While traveling, "Be sharp but not rigid." That is my motto. You need to be on guard against dangers, scams, getting ripped off, illness, disease, etc... but maintain a flexible schedule and path.

YouTube While I'm Away

I've been asked if I will suspend video making on YouTube while I'm traveling... I wouldn't dream of it! This is an experience I want to share with my YouTube family. We'll be filming and vlogging everyday.

I've also been asked what I'll film and if I'll still do beauty videos. The answer is yes, there will be plenty of beauty videos. Thai women, Indian women... really almost anywhere you go in the world girls love beautifying themselves. It will be exciting to learn about and try their favorite products, beauty treatments and tips. Not only will I be making beauty videos in every country we visit but we'll be filming everyday, that means unlimited vlogs!

Our Plans

We leave here June 3rd, fly from Maui to Oahu, then to Tokyo and finally arriving in Bangkok 18 hours later. We'll explore as much of Thailand as possible before heading into Vietnam and Cambodia. Next we go to India, most of our traveling there will be in Rajasthan and neighboring regions. We return to Maui in September.

Our friend is going to pig-sit Mitzi (our guinea pig) I haven't mentioned anything about the Moose lately because sadly she passed away recently, she was elderly. She lived a good long life and was spoiled rotten everyday of it, but still losing a pet is always heartbreaking.

As for our belongings, I've downsized heavily and everything else is going into storage. Another friend is taking care of our Toyota truck while we're off island.

I'll keep you updated.

xoxo,

Christine

How To Make Rose Gold Hoop Earrings

2013-04-25T21:54:00.000-10:00

A classic pair of hoops in hammered 14k rose gold filled, sophisticated enough for an exquisite night out, versatile enough for casual everyday wear and edgy enough to spice up any outfit. Hoops are a staple in every girl's jewelry collection and rose gold is the hottest metal on the market!

Easy Step-by-Step Tutorial: How To Make Rose Gold Hoop Earrings

For This Tutorial I'm Using:

18 Gauge Half-Hard Rose Gold Filled Wire.
Tip: The best wire gauge for hoops are 16, 18, or 20 gauge, the higher the number, the thinner the wire.
Steel Bench Block
(for hammering)
Rubber Dampening Block
(It's placed under the steel bench block for softening the sound of hammering)
Chasing Hammer
(flares metal and adds texture)

Jewelry Tools: Round Nose Pliers, Flat Nose Pilers, Wire Cutters.
Sandpaper
(I'm using 150 grit)

Need help finding supplies?
As a full time jewelry designer I purchase all of my supplies in large bulk quantities from wholesalers, trade shows and gem shows. If you make jewelry as a hobby, then you may only require small quantities. In that case, I recommend exploring your local bead store, find out what they have to offer and if you can't find the wire or supplies you want, try ordering online from Etsy. There are many wonderful shops on Etsy that offer supplies at fair prices.

Love Jewelry? But Making It Yourself Isn't Your Thing?
You can always find us on Etsy. Michael (my husband) and I hand make each piece here on Maui. We have been designing and making jewelry full time for the past 8 years. Our Etsy store is PinkSoFoxy. Feel free to add us to your favorites and you'll be the first to know when we post new items.

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial! Thank you for watching and happy jewelry making!
xoxo Christine

Buxom Hot Escapes Bronzer

2013-04-24T17:02:00.005-10:00

There was only one item on my wish list that was a Must Have from Sephora's recent Chic Week sale. The New Buxom Hot Escapes Bronzer in Maldives! I was sold the moment I discovered Buxom had created a coconut scented bronzer, knowing Buxom, I just knew it was going to be good!

Scent

I ordered my Buxom Hot Escapes Bronzer online at Sephora.com. When it arrived I opened the compact and a smooth toasted coconut scent wafted into the air and swept me off my feet. I'm always amazed at how uplifting aromatherapy can be to the body and mind.

Tanning oil scents are like kryptonite to my senses. There's just nothing quite like the fragrance of warm coconut tanning oil to carry you away into another dimension, one with sun-soaked white sand beaches, palm trees swaying in the soft breeze, aquamarine water glittering in the sunlight, ice cold cocktails with tiny umbrellas, cabana boys (or your husband) waiting on you hand and foot... It's the dreamy essense of a tropical paradise... Yes, I get all of that from the scent of this bronzer and it is magnificent!

Color

I was surprised to find that with all the bronzers in my collection I couldn't find a dupe.

Maldives is a bit warmer than Nars Laguna, slightly cooler with more gold flecks than Victoria's Secret Goddess, Milani Soleil is more orange tone, Nars Casino is deeper, Too Faced Sun Bunny is a hint warmer with more sheen, bareMinerals Faux Tan is deeper with a redder base and lacks the gold flecks, NYC Fire Island Tan is more orange, Chanel Bronze Universal is warmer and also lacks the gold flecks.

After closely examining an arm full of swatches in all types of lighting, Buxom Maldives appears to be one of the truest, most well-balanced bronze shades I've ever seen in a bronzer. Not leaning too far in either a warm or cool direction. If I was to choose the bronzer it's most comparable to, I'd have to say Nars Laguna, except Maldives has a hint more warmth and golden flecks.

Texture

The texture feels most similar to the Nars bronzers, though Nars is a bit more velvety, which I'm guessing is due to Buxom having more particles of gold. Though the gold flecks are very fine and give a beautiful glow to the skin, no glittery disco ball here, just bronze goddess glow.

Pigmentation

Maldives offers good pigmentation, though it isn't as heavily pigmented as Nars bronzers but the level of pigmentation is easily buildable. So while one swipe with your finger doesn't transfer a whole lot of product onto your arm in a swatch, a couple of taps with your brush will pick up a good amount of product and you can deepen the color as needed. The best part about having balanced pigmentation is you have more control over the product and don't have to worry about accidentally applying too much in a single fluff of the brush and suddenly muddying up your makeup. (I'm looking at you Wet n Wild Color Icon bronzers) However deeper skin tones may have trouble getting it to show up, Buxom may need to add a darker shade.

Overall, Buxom has created another hit product with their new Hot Escapes Bronzers. I suspect Maldives may become a holy grail bronzer for many, including myself.

Would love to hear your thoughts, Share in the comments!
xoxo, Christine

Zoya Stunning & Irresistible

2013-04-23T09:12:00.001-10:00

Bright pops of creamy color, Stunning! Sparks of twinkling metallic glittery goodness, Irresistible! Zoya has just released their new Stunning and Irresistible Collections for Summer 2013. Featuring two types of finishes, six sunny shades of super glossy creams and six sparkling foil metallics.

Swatches are photographed outdoors in sunlight and indoors in natural daylight. Each swatch is two coats, except Tinsley which looks best with 3 thin coats.

Zoya Stunning

Yana

~ bright pink red cream

Micky

~ flamingo pink coral cream

Thandie

~ tangerine cream

Darcy

~ sunny yellow cream

Josie

~ grassy green cream

Rocky

~ brightened blue sky cream

Zoya Irresistible

Bobbi

~ hot magenta pink with silver and gold flecks

Amy

~ sunlit tangerine with gold flecks

Tinsley

~ rose gold with gold flecks

Kerry

~ bright 24k yellow gold with gold flecks

Rikki

~ fern green with gold and silver flecks

Hazel

~ steel blue with silver and gold flecks

Typically I get about 5 to 7 days of wear time out of most Zoya nail polishes, which these fall into that time frame as well. When it comes to removal, the metallic foils do take a little extra work but I don't find them to be as difficult as traditional glitter polishes. Just be sure to have a few extra cotton rounds ready and be generous with your nail polish remover.

Overall, this is a another hit from Zoya. The bright sunny hues are an energizing pick-me-up after a long gloomy Winter. With two collections, two types of formulas and finishes, there's a double-dose of possibilities to explore here. Whether you're into pops of smooth creamy color or gleaming glitzy metallics, Zoya's Stunning and Irresistible Collections are definitely worth checking out.

Where and How Much?
Zoya nail polish can be purchased on their website Zoya.com, also available at fine salons, spas and resorts. Prices: $8 on the website, retail locations may vary.

Love it or Leave it?

Are any of these colors on your wish list? I would love to hear your thoughts, share in the comments!

xoxo,

Christine

Disclaimer: This post features press samples for testing and swatches. As always my priority is to give straightforward information and my honest opinion.

Zoya PixieDust Summer 2013

2013-04-17T10:38:00.001-10:00

The new Zoya PixieDust Summer 2013 collection is here. I missed the original release of Zoya's PixieDust line so this is my first experience testing this type of textured nail polish. At first glance it looks like a glitter polish in the bottle but it actually has a unique "sugar" texture and metallic flecked matte finish. Each color is loaded with fine flecks of sparkle, no chunky glitter bits here. The sparkle is evenly distributed throughout the polish, every brush stroke sweeps on a luscious layer of plush PixieDust, resulting in an effortless application every time.

I found this formula to be opaque in two coats and it dries fairly quickly, about 10 minutes. As for removal, it certainly takes more effort than a regular nail polish formula but it's not as difficult as most glitter polishes. I use Zoya's Remove + with Delon cotton rounds and have no complaints. Take it from someone who wears a lot of glitter polish, the right cotton rounds make a huge difference. I purchase Delon brand from Costco, one side of the cotton round is soft, the other side has a rougher gauze-like texture, use the rougher textured side.

Zoya Tip: For best results apply 2-3 thin coats of polish for full coverage to clean oil-free nails. Allow product to dry completely in between coats for full effect. Do not use a base coat or top coat.

Swatches

All swatches are two coats and have been photographed outside in sunlight.

Solange

~ bright yellow gold with gold flecks

Beatrix

~ tangerine with gold flecks

Destiny

~ bright coral with gold flecks

Miranda

~ raspberry with silver flecks

Stevie

~ lavender purple with silver flecks

Liberty

~ rich blue turquoise with silver flecks

Video Overview

Have you tried Zoya PixieDust? Any of theses on your wish list? Or are you holding out for the next Zoya collection? I would love to hear your thoughts, share in the comments!
xoxo Christine

Lux Addiction Phone Case!

2013-04-08T20:20:00.001-10:00

Lux Addiction iPhone Case

I've had my iPhone 3G for over five years now and it's spent most of those five years naked, as in no phone case, except a freebie case from Sephora that I got with a makeup purchase, which I used for a brief time out of necessity because the phone was so darn slippery. Regardless, I have searched endlessly for the perfect case, yes I'm a little OCD, but it had to be cute, pink and blingy! I refused to settle for anything less. I came across dozens of phone cases that were close but none of which were the one... that is... until now! I now have thee cutest, pinkest, most blinged-out phone case I've ever seen! It's handcrafted by Lux Addiction and I freaking love it to pieces! I owe them a huge thank you!

It just doesn't get more Pink So Foxy than this!!! I mean... look at that bow! *squeals with delight* now that is some delicious eye candy!

Lux Addiction asked me if I'd like to choose a phone case from their 3D Crystalized Bling Phone Case Collection, I visited their website here and was immediately in awe of their sparklicious eye candy! Without hesitation, I chose style #366 here. Let me tell you, it's even more stunning in person than in the pictures on their website.

In fact just today I was strolling through Costco with Michael tapping away on my phone as usual and noticed women staring at my phone, two lovely ladies even complimented it and wanted to know where to find them. I swear us girls are like birds, attracted to all that sparkles and glitters!

I'll be sharing this eye candy in many videos to come but I was so excited to get it in the mail today I had to share just how gorgeous these cases are right away!!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today, I wish you many happy sparkling days ahead!

xoxo Christine

Bikini Booty Workout

2013-04-05T19:36:00.003-10:00

Summer is just around the corner, are you ready for bikini season? If not, have no fear! Here are some of my top butt busting exercises to help get your rear in gear and ready for that cheeky bikini! Get ready to burn baby!

I've received tons of requests to make workout videos for you to follow along every rep of the way, my reply to your request... heck yeah let's do this together! I'm thrilled that you would like to see more fitness videos from me. If you have any special requests feel free to leave them in the comments for me.

xoxo Christine

Sugar Cookie Body Scrub

2013-04-02T21:34:00.001-10:00

Mmmm there's nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked cookies just out of the oven... except maybe my coconut vanilla "Sugar Cookie" body scrub! If you love to indulge in the sweet decadence of luxurious body treats, give this one a try. It'll leave you smelling like a yummy dessert and give you soft glowing skin, just in time for Summer!

What You'll Need...

1/2 Cup Coconut Oil (Fresh Pressed Virgin)
1/2 Cup Monoi Oil Vanilla
2 Cups Cane Sugar

In a mixing bowl, combined sugar and oil, stir until well blended. Scoop into glass jar, add a label if you want and enjoy or give as a gift!

Other Ingredient Options
There's several carrier oils that work great in scrubs, although my personal favorite is coconut oil, it's luxurious tropical tanning oil scent is heavenly! It's also the yummiest oil for making a dessert scented scrub like this one. But if you don't have coconut oil on hand, here are a few other options along with additional ingredient ideas...

Oils
Sunflower Oil
Olive Oil
Jojoba Oil
Sweet Almond Oil
Apricot Kernel Oil
Grapeseed Oil
*For more oils browse my carrier oil page here.

Spices
Cinnamon
Pumpkin Pie Spice
Nutmeg
Ginger Spice
Cacao Powder
Vanilla Powder

Essential Oils
Jasmine
Lavender
Vanilla
Sweet Orange
Lemon

Other
Vitamin E
Infused Oils/Flavors Oils
Coloring

These are just a handful of ingredient options but there's really no end to the different scrub combinations you can create, so just have fun with it!

How To Use Body Scrub
For glowing skin, I like to exfoliate with a body scrub 2-3 times a week, it's what keeps my skin soft, smooth and well moisturized. Using my designated scrub scoop, I take 1-2 scoops in my hand and off into the shower I go. Be careful though, it contains oil and can make the shower tub a little slippery at first until it rinses away. I scrub all over my body by gently massaging in a circular motion, avoiding my face, since I prefer a gentler facial scrub. After exfoliating, rinse clean and continue with regular shower regimen, body wash, shaving, washing hair, etc.

Storage
Storage is easy, coconut oil is a stable oil and stays fresh on it's own, so no need to refrigerate. I keep mine on the bathroom counter, not in my shower. Avoid getting any water or steam in the jar and remember to use a clean scoop each time, don't dip in with your hands! Following these tips will help keep your scrub fresh and pure, we don't want any germs or water contaminating our scrub, otherwise you'll have to throw it out prematurely.

Easy Step-by-Step Video How to Make Body Scrub

Where I buy my ingredients:

I purchased Dr. Bronner's Coconut Oil and Monoi Tiki Tahiti Vanilla Oil Online at Vitacost.com

Get $10 OFF your first order here: Vitacost

Sign up and pass on the savings to friends and family. Vitacost prices beat paying retail any day!

Glass Jar is from Mana Foods (my local health food store)

Stainless Steel Coffee Scoop is from Walmart

Another great source for ingredients is Mountain Rose Herbs

Enjoy and I wish you many soft, smooth, glowing summer skin days ahead!!

xoxo Christine

Beach Wave Hair Spray

2013-03-20T20:45:00.003-10:00

Tousled wavy beach hair? Yes please! Who doesn't love the casual low-key look of effortless waves, especially with summertime on it's way! So here's my recipe for how to make your own beach wave sea salt hair spray.

What You'll Need...

Aloe Vera Juice/Inner Fillet (I use Lily Of The Desert, it contains citric acid and potassium sorbate, mold inhibitors to help extend the shelf life and keep it fresh)
Sea Salt
Hair Gel (Aubrey Organics blends well)
Fragrance oil of your choice (I use Jasmine/Jojoba Essential Oil Blend)
Mirage Gold Mica (optional)
Spray Bottle

Fill your bottle with Aloe Vera juice, leave room for the other ingredients, add sea salt and hair gel. Shake to blend. Next add several drops of fragrance oil and if you want shimmer add 1/8 of a teaspoon or less of mica. Shake to blend and you're done!

Storage
I make small batches, my 2oz bottle lasts me about 2 months. I keep it at my vanity and take it with me on the go. I haven't found that it needs refrigeration, the citric acid and potassium sorbate work great at keeping it fresh.

Easy Step-by-Step Video Tutorial: How to Make Beach Wave Sea Salt Hair Spray

Where I buy my ingredients:

My Local Health Food Stores and Online at Vitacost.com

Get $10 OFF your first order here: Vitacost

Sign up and pass on the savings to friends and family. Vitacost prices beat paying retail any day!

The Mica is from Coastal Scents

Glass Spray Bottle from Etsy

Another great source for ingredients is Mountain Rose Herbs

Enjoy and I wish you many beach chic hair days ahead!!

xoxo Christine

How To Make Scented Shimmering Body Dust

2013-03-15T12:04:00.000-10:00

This may be one of my favorite DIY beauty recipes ever! Could it be because I love anything that resembles sparkling fairy dust? Or is it the aroma of melting marshmallows with a hint of warm vanilla and chocolatey goodness? Either way, this recipe embodies the brilliance of two decadent worlds colliding into one delicious body treat! ...And it's remarkably easy to make!

Pink So Foxy's Toasted Marshmallow Body Dust

1/2 cup Arrowroot Starch/Flour
1/8 cup Baking Soda
1 to 1 1/2 tsp Cacao Powder
Dash of Cinnamon Powder
1/4 tsp Mica Pigment (I use Mirage Gold from Coastal Scents)
5 to 10 drops Vanilla Oil (or fragrance oil of your choice)

In a mixing bowl, add your dry ingredients and whisk together. Add fragrance oil or essential oils of your choice and whisk well, make sure to blend and disperse the fragrance oil throughout the powder, you don't want any clumping. You're done! Now add your new scented shimmering body dust to a decorative jar or powder box and store on your vanity with a pretty powder puff or kabuki body brush.

Easy Step-by-Step Shimmering Body Dust Tutorial

List Of Ingredient Options & Purpose
The ingredient options are endless, but here are a few ideas to get you started.

Base
Arrowroot starch/flour
Tapioca starch/flour
Cornstarch
Oat Flour (though it's sometimes grainier)
Rice Flour (though it's sometimes grainier)

Deodorizers/Moisture Wicker
Baking Soda
Kaolin Clay

Scent
Cacao (Cocoa) Powder
Cinnamon Powder
Pumpkin Pie Spice
Finely Ground Dried Herbs or Other Spices
Vanilla Bean
Vanilla Oil
Cinnamon sticks
Jasmine Essential Oil
Lavender Essential Oil
Peppermint Essential Oil
Sweet Orange Essential Oil
Rose Essential Oil
Natural Flavor Oils
*Or any other fragrance oil or essential oil you enjoy!

Color
If you have a deeper skin tone and find that the light color starches/flours aren't blending in enough, try adding a little brown iron oxide. Cacao powder also adds a hint of tan to the mix.

Sparkle
If you're like me and love the look of subtle sparkling flecks on the body, a 1/4 tsp of mica is plenty for this recipe. You could use a cosmetic grade fine glitter instead (particle size: 0.004 works well) but I prefer the ultra fine reflects of mica. If you're not a fan of sparkle, you can omit it entirely or add an 1/8 tsp or less.

Storage
This body dust should last a few months, no refrigeration required. Simply store in a decorative jar or powder box and keep dry. For ideas on how to make your own powder accessories, checkout my powder box and powder puff video tutorials.

Where I buy my ingredients:

My Local Health Food Stores and Online at Vitacost.com

Get $10 OFF your first order here: Vitacost

Sign up and pass on the savings to friends and family. Vitacost prices beat paying retail any day!

The Mica is from Coastal Scents

Another great source for ingredients is Mountain Rose Herbs

Enjoy and I wish you many sparkling fairy dust days ahead!!

xoxo Christine

How To Make A Decorative Box

2013-03-11T20:53:00.002-10:00

If there's one thing I love, it's stuff that stores stuff. I've always been a sucker for pretty packaging and beautiful boxes. So being a crafty sort of person, I thought why not make my own! So today I'm sharing a decorative box tutorial... A powder box to be precise, since I plan on keeping my homemade shimmering body dust in it, along with my vintage style powder puff (from my previous post).

Before we get started remember there are tons of different ways to make decorative boxes. I'll be sharing some ideas but the best part is designing and decorating your box, your way! Choose the colors and prints you like, have fun with it and make it your own! If you're giving it as a gift, find out their favorite colors and make them a personalized one-of-a-kind gift box they'll love!

What You'll Need...

Paper Mache Box
Anything you want to decorate it with.

What I Used...

Paper Mache Box
Primer
Acrylic Paint
Mod Podge
Scrapbook Paper
Ribbon
Wooden Knob
Wooden Screw Covers

Easy Step-by-Step How To Make A Decorative Box Tutorial

Where I purchased my supplies:
Walmart
Ben Franklin
Habitat For Humanity The Restore

Enjoy and I wish you many happy crafting days ahead!!

xoxo Christine

How To Make A Powder Puff

2013-03-08T20:39:00.000-10:00

I have a soft spot in my heart for these glamorous little puff balls. I first fell in love with powder puffs as a kid, watching old movies. Powder puffs always seemed to have a prominent place at the vanity of the silver screen starlets and leading ladies. Many were made with exquisite ornate fabrics which added to their delightfully feminine appeal.

These days, powder puffs have been replaced with thin sponges and kabuki brushes but their charm is remains undeniable. They hold a special place in the world of vintage and shabby chic style. While I don't use them for face powders, I do love them for applying shimmering body dust!

What You'll Need

2 Pieces 3" x 9" fabric
1 Piece 4" diameter circle of furry/fluffy fabric (I'm using polyester fur fabric)
1 Piece 4" diameter circle lace fabric
1 Piece 4" diameter circle satin fabric
Pins
Needle & Thread
Scissors
Batting

Step-by-Step How To Make A Powder Puff Video Tutorial

Easy Step-by-Step Tutorial, How To Make A Powder Puff

Cut 2 pieces of fabric 3" x 9"

(These will be the ties)

Fold in half lengthwise, make a diagonal cut on one end.

Repeat on second piece.

Both pieces will look like this.

Pin your fabric on the slanted end and across the bottom.

Sew along your pinned edges.

After sewing, turn your ties inside out (pretty side out).

Your ties will look like this.

(Set them aside for now).

Cut 2 pieces of fabric 4" in diameter, lace and satin for an overlay effect.

(Or cut only 1 piece if you prefer a plain back and skip the next 2 steps).

Sandwich fabric together, pretty sides up and pin the perimeter.

Sew along your pinned edges.

Sandwich your puff fabrics together, pretty sides inward.

Fold one of the ties in thirds.

Tuck it between fabric, leaving 1/2" sticking out of the side.

Secure your fabric and tie end in place with a pin.

Repeat on opposite side with second tie (make sure they're directly across from each other).

Sew perimeter of fabric, leaving 2" open.

Turn puff inside out (pretty side out).

Stuff with batting.

Finish sewing, using the slip stitch technique.

Tie the fabric ties.

And your finished!

Where I purchased my supplies:
Walmart and fabric stores

Enjoy and I wish you many happy powder puffing days ahead!!

xoxo Christine

How To Make A Pinwheel Bow

2013-03-07T22:27:00.000-10:00

Pinwheel hair bows are always a hit, from school girls to girlie-girls! For me, they bring to mind being young and carefree, riding ferris wheels, eating cotton candy and laughing together with your best friend... Yes all of that from a simple hair bow. Now let's get started!

What You'll Need

1 Piece 1 1/2" Grosgrain Ribbon (28" in length)
1 Piece 3/8", 5/8" or 7/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (4-5" in length) *Choose whatever width you want, if you want a smaller center knot use 3/8" or for a "fluffier" center knot use 5/8" or 7/8" width ribbon.
1 Piece 24 or 22 Gauge Craft Wire (4-5" in length)
Wire Cutters
Heat Sealer (I use a lighter)
Hot Glue Gun (I use a high temperature hot glue gun)
Hair Tie or Clip of your choice

Easy Step-by-Step Pinwheel Bow Tutorial

Where I purchased my supplies:
Walmart
Wire & Cutters from my jewelry supplies wholesaler
but you can find a similar craft wire and cutters at most craft stores.

Enjoy and I wish you many happy hair bow making days ahead!!

xoxo Christine

How to Make A Hair Bow

2013-03-06T22:20:00.001-10:00

Today I have a step by step video tutorial for you! I'll be sharing one of the many ways to make a basic hair bow, no sewing, no confusing loops... although I may share some tips for those in the future! But for today, we'll focus on creating a simple and cute, flat boutique bow... Let's get started!

What You'll Need
1 1/2" Ribbon, Cut (2) 8" pieces
3/8" Ribbon, Cut (1) 4-5" piece
Heat Sealer (a lighter or candle works great)
Glue Gun (I use a *high temperature* glue gun)
Hair Clip (of your choice and enough 3/8" ribbon to cover it)

Where I purchased my supplies:
Walmart

Enjoy and I wish you many happy hair bow making days ahead!!

xoxo Christine

DIY Leave-In Conditioner Spray

2013-02-25T08:18:00.000-10:00

Love conditioning treatments? Me too! I used a horrid one just the other day which prompted me to go back to making my own. So today we're making our own leave-in conditioner spray and you can customize it to your hair type. We all have different hair types, textures and needs... So let me share some quick tips about customizing this project to fit your needs. Don't worry, this is going to be easy!

Here's the Basics

If you have fine hair and want a lightweight leave-in: Use a little less conditioner and oils and a little more water.
If you have thick, course hair or dry damaged hair and you like extra conditioning: Add the full 1/4 cup of conditioner and desired amount of oils, a tablespoon total should suffice. Be careful not to add too much oil, we're not making a hair serum here, too much oil will make your hair look... well, oily!
If you want a smaller batch, use a 4 oz bottle and half the ingredients.

What You'll Need...

8 oz Plastic Spray Bottle

Your Favorite Conditioner

Your Favorite Hair Oils

I Chose 2 Oils, Avocado and Argan Oil

(You Can Use More If You Want)

Distilled Water (or Aloe Vera Juice is awesome too!)

How To Make Your Own Leave-In Conditioner!

Step 1: Add between an 1/8 to 1/4 cup conditioner to bottle.

Step 2: Add a few pumps of oil.

Step 3: Fill the rest of bottle with distilled water, leaving about an inch of empty space at top.

(You'll need that space for shaking and blending the ingredients).

Step 4: Cap the bottle and vigorously shake until blended.

Add a label if you want and you're done!

Step-by-Step Instruction Video

Now that was easy! Thanks to our conditioners, they already contain emulsifiers, which blend oil and water together. Use as you would any other leave-in conditioner, simply spray onto dry or damp hair and use as often as you want.

Keep in mind, water based leave-in conditioners or creams don't work on all hair types. Certain hair textures respond better to serum or hair oil.

Where I buy my ingredients:
Online at Vitacost.com
Get $10 OFF your first order here: Vitacost
Sign up and pass on the savings to friends and family. Vitacost prices beat paying retail any day!

Another great source for ingredients is Mountain Rose Herbs

Enjoy and I wish you many happy hair days ahead!!

xoxo Christine

DIY Lip Scrub (Mint Cacao)

2013-02-23T20:28:00.003-10:00

Looking for a sweet way to get soft, kissable lips? Try this delicious diy sugar scrub recipe for a flake free pout. Made with ultra fine cane sugar, organic raw cacao, organic jojoba oil, pure vanilla extract, pure vitamin E and peppermint essential oil. If you like; chocolate chip mint ice cream, Andes mints or York peppermint patties, you will love this lip scrub!

If a mint-chocolate lip scrub sounds familiar, you're right! Lush sells a very popular Mint Julips lip scrub, which I also found it to be delightful. But being a diy'er, I was positive I already had all of the ingredients necessary to concoct a similar lip treat. So I promptly went to work experimenting and was thrilled with the final result. When you have to restrain yourself from eating it... well, that's when you know you've reached the perfect recipe.

What You'll Need...

Mixing Bowl
Measuring Spoons
Small Jar
1 Tbsp Ultra Fine Sugar (known as Caster or Baker's Sugar)
1/2 Tsp Cacao Powder (or pure Cocoa)
1 Tsp Jojoba Oil
1/4 Tsp Vanilla Extract
1 Pump Vitamin E (or Gel Capsule)
1-2 Drops Peppermint Essential Oil

Mint Cacao Lip Scrub Recipe

In Your Mixing Bowl...

Add 1 Tbsp Sugar

1/2 Tsp Cacao Powder (or pure cocoa)

Blend Well

Add 1 Tsp Jojoba Oil

1/4 Tsp Vanilla Extract

1 Pump Vitamin E (or gel capsule)

1-2 Drops Peppermint Essential Oil, Mix Well.

Transfer To Jar

Leave plain... Or

Decorate and enjoy or gift it!

Keeping Your Lip Scrub Fresh

This recipe makes a very small batch and I recommend using it up within a few days, no longer than 1 week. If you want to refrigerate you can, although I haven't found that to be necessary when it's used up quickly. I usually exfoliate every other day, so I have a high turn over rate, which is fine by me since I love trying new recipes all the time anyway. Besides high turnover is a good thing, isn't that part of why we love diy projects, we want it fresh!

You can also make a half batch, or even a 1 time use to keep your lip treat super fresh!

If you do plan on gifting lip scrubs, it should have a preservative. In the video, I referred to my vitamin e oil as a preservative, but it's actually an antioxidant, meaning it extends the freshness of the oils but does not kill bacteria. Please keep this in mind when making lip scrubs.

Another tip, use a clean utensil and scoop out the amount you need for each use. I never dip in with my hands or fingers (even if they're clean!) because you can still transfer bacteria into the scrub. We love lip scrubs! ...But a petri dish? No thank you!

Step-By-Step Instruction Video

Where I buy my ingredients:

Ultra Fine Baker's Sugar from Safeway.

Vitacost.com for Oils, Cacao, Vanilla, Vitamin E,
Get $10 OFF your first order here: Vitacost
Sign up and pass on the savings to friends and family. Vitacost prices beat paying retail any day!

Another great source for ingredients is Mountain Rose Herbs

Glass Jar I purchased from my local health food store.

Do you make your own lip scrub? Share your recipes or favorite ingredients in the comments!

Enjoy and happy lip scrub making!!

xoxo Christine

DIY Coconut Hot Oil Treatment For Dry Hair

2013-02-20T22:59:00.001-10:00

How Do Hot Oil Treatments Work?
Naturally nourishing oils are warmed and applied to dry or damp hair. Warming the oil allows it to penetrate the hair shaft, smooth the cuticle and replenish moisture to dry hair and scalp. Leaving it softer with a more lustrous shine.

Benefits Of Hot Oil Treatments

Leaves Hair Feeling Healthier & Softer
Reduces Frizz
Adds Amazing Shine
Revives Luster & Body
Treats Dry Scalp & Dandruff
Replenishes Moisture to Hair Shaft
Detangles & Reduces Breakage
Coconut Oil Reduces Protein Loss in Dry/Damaged Hair

How To Apply A Hot Oil Treatment
There are two basic methods of applying a hot oil treatment.

1. Pour oils into a small heat-safe jar or bottle, place in a bowl of hot water and wait a few minutes for oils to heat. Apply oils to dry or damp hair, saturate from root to ends and massage into scalp. Cover and leave on for desired amount of time.

OR

2. Apply oils to dry or damp hair, saturate from root to ends and massage into scalp. Cover with a plastic cap and apply heat. You can use a hairdryer, sunlight or wrap a warm towel around your head. Leave on for desired amount of time. (I prefer this method for myself.)

Both options work, choose the method that works best for you.

How Long Does A Hot Oil Treatment Take?
Leave the treatment on your hair for at least 30 minutes. I typically leave it on 1-2 hours or longer. Some even prefer an all day or all night treatment.

How Often Should I Do A Hot Oil Treatment?
I aim for once a week or every other week. But it's up the individual, if your hair is relatively healthy, you may feel once a month is plenty.

Ready to treat your hair to a spa night? Let's get started!

Here's what you'll need...

Virgin Coconut Oil (I use Dr. Bronner's)

Cheap Plastic Shower Cap

Thick Lined Shower Cap

Heat Source (I prefer the hairdryer method)

Step 1: Apply coconut oil to dry or damp hair. Massage into scalp and saturate from root to ends.

Step 2: Cover with plastic cap and blow dry for 1-2 minutes. Gently warming the hair, allows the oil to penetrate and go to work smoothing the cuticle and replenishing moisture.

Step 3: Cover with thick, lined shower cap or a warm towel. The goal is to keep your hair warm and insulated. Your natural body heat should take over and help keep it warm for the remainder of the treatment. Relax for 1-2 hours while the treatment goes to work.

Times up and you're ready to shower?

Be sure to shampoo and rinse well, you don't want excess oil left in your hair.

Condition and style as usual.

The result: Silky soft hair with a more lustrous shine!

Ah, I always get a good laugh at my video stills.

You'd think I make all those funny faces on purpose or something.

Step-by-step instruction video.

Enjoy and I wish you many happy hair days ahead!!

xoxo Christine

Beachy Brunette Hair

2013-02-18T19:09:00.001-10:00

Lily Aldridge, Adriana Lima

What do all these beauties have in common? You guessed it! All natural brunettes with a gorgeous head of beachy highlights... Beautiful balayage and ombre highlights!

As you may know, I recently embarked on a hair mission. I wanted to get back to a more natural color because well... brassy hot roots and damaged bleached blonde hair just never looks natural, especially on this Mexican. How did that hot mess even come about for goodness sakes!? Let me tell you.

Alessandra Ambrosio

Once upon a time I had lovely golden blonde highlights blended into my dark brown hair. But after awhile blonderexia set in, oh yes... Blonderexia! Some of you may know what I'm talking about here. I became addicted to blonde. I kept adding more and more highlights, they got lighter and lighter and before I knew it, I no longer had highlights. Instead, the entire top portion of my hair was almost solid bleached blonde. It wasn't pretty, shiny or flattering anymore. It was dry, damaged and washed-out my complexion. Somewhere along the way I missed the beachy bus and ended up on the trashy train.

So after that realization, I began browsing the internet for a new look. I knew the direction I wanted to go and I wanted to slip into a low maintenance look right away, where my roots could start growing out in peace. These girls and the work of their amazing hair colorists are my inspiration. So I'm sharing what inspires me in case any of you beautiful people are in search of some beachy brunette inspiration as well.

Whatever your hair color, spring/summer are on their way and the forecast calls for natural beach babe waves! So keep on the lookout for upcoming posts full of healthy hair tips, product finds, DIY hair masks, treatments and more!

xoxo, Christine

DIY Lip Balm (Vanilla Creamsicle) Recipe

2013-02-15T22:00:00.004-10:00

You know how cravings can strike out of nowhere... Well earlier this week I had one of those cravings but instead of food it was for a specific flavor of lip balm, all of a sudden I just HAD to have a creamsicle flavored lip balm. So I was promptly off and rummaging through my collection of natural skincare ingredients. Shortly after, my double boiler was set up and my kitchen counter cluttered with bottles of oil and tubs of butter. I tested several formulations, there are three factors I examine when formulating a lip balm:

Texture; I prefer a firmer texture, I'm not a fan of soft, slippery, extra glossy balms.
Function; I'm not looking for a superficial lip gloss here, a balm needs to perform well. It should protect delicate lips from harsh environmental elements and have the ability to assist in healing dry, peeling or cracked lips. Ideally, it should also contain nourishing ingredients that can help smooth lip lines overtime.
Ok this one is a little superficial but... it has to smell good! When it comes to body care, I'm such a foodie! Sounds weird? Maybe but it's true... I love bathing, slathering and smothering my body in decadent dessert flavored/scented body products.

So there's the breakdown of my lip balm theories and ideals, now let's get down to the science of making this decadent lip treat.

DIY Lip Balm (Vanilla Creamsicle) Recipe

Ingredients:
1 Tbsp Beeswax
1 Tbsp Cocoa Butter
1/2 Tbsp Shea Butter
1 Tbsp Coconut Oil (I used Monoi brand infused with vanilla)
1/2 Tbsp Kukui Nut Oil
1 Pump Vitamin E Oil
Thin Slice of Lipstick (in color of your choice, bright shades work best)
4 Drops Sweet Orange Essential Oil (I use 6 but don't overdo it if you're not use to essential oils)

Extra Tips:

Want a vegan lip balm? Substitute the beeswax for one of these vegan-friendly waxes: Candelillia, Carnauba or Palm wax.

For a softer balm add an extra tablespoon of a carrier oil of your choice.

Don't have the oils I used? No worries! There are plenty of other nourishing carrier oils that are perfect for lip balms! Sweet almond oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, macadamia nut oil, argan oil, just to name a few but if you want more options check out my post on carrier oils here.

Too many ingredients for your budget? Experiment with just the butter as a natural lip moisturizer.

Want to keep it all natural? Skip the lipstick and try a pinch of beet powder for a natural tint of pink. (Just don't use too much, unless you want a lip stain!)

No refrigeration required, the wax keeps the balm nice and solid in most conditions. Though I wouldn't recommend leaving it in a hot car all day, even wax has it's melting point.

How long will it last? Up to 1 year with a natural preservative such as vitamin e. But keep in mind if you're using a pot (rather than tube) you want to keep it clean and hygienic. I like to use a cotton swab or utensil to scoop out a bit rather than my finger. If you do use you finger, at least make sure your hands are squeaky clean before dipping in. The last thing you want is your luscious lip balm turning into a petri dish of bacteria. (Gross!!) Now these will last a long time but as a balm-aholic I typically go through mine in about 3 months.

Aren't citrus oils phototoxic? Not all are phototoxic, but they tend to be all grouped together as phototoxic most likely as a safety precaution to avoid confusion. However, I prefer the scientific approach to essential oils, an excellent book is Robert Tisserand's and Tony Balacs' "Essential Oil Safety" they have conducted scientific tests on essential oil phototoxicity. They state that expressed bitter orange essential oil (Citrus aurantium) is phototoxic, while expressed sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) is not phototoxic. But again, if you are ever uncomfortable with an ingredient I use in any recipe, just don't use it, there are always plenty of other options.

Sensitivities/Allergies: As with any product, store bought or homemade, if you experience any kind of irritation or sensitivity, discontinue use immediately! If you have any sensitivity to citrus oils or essential oils, skip the sweet orange oil. The balm will still be delicious with or without adding a scent/flavor.

No recipe is set in stone, have fun with it and make it your own!

Directions:
In a double boiler, bring water to a simmer (not boiling), place wax in the heat safe dish and melt, being careful to avoid getting any water into the dish. Next add butters, then your oils. Remove from heat, add vitamin E, lipstick if you want a tint of color and finish with your essential oils or flavoring. Pour into lip balm tins, pots or tubes and that's it... let cool for 2-3 hours and enjoy your homemade natural lip balm!

Step-by-step instruction video

Where I buy my ingredients:
Beeswax from a local bee keeper. (You can buy it on Etsy too).

Vitacost for oils and butters,
Get $10 OFF your first order here: Vitacost
Sign up and pass on the savings to friends and family. Vitacost prices beat paying retail any day!

Another great source for ingredients is Mountain Rose Herbs

Lip Balm Heart Tins I purchased on Etsy from MiniFood

Enjoy and happy lip balm making!!

xoxo Christine

How To Remove Brassy Tones From Your Hair

2013-02-12T19:11:00.004-10:00

What Is Brassy Hair?

It's a term used to describe unwanted warmth in hair, those dreaded yellow-orange tones that typically occur after hair has been chemically processed, dyed, highlighted, etc.

What Causes Brassy Hair?

Brassiness occurs as your color begins to fade. To better understand what's happening let's take a look at the molecular level. Your hair color is a combination of molecules, when balanced they work in perfect harmony to create a beautifully toned head of hair. However, as color fades, an imbalance of color molecules are left in the hair's cortex. Ash or violet-blue molecules are lifted exposing the underlying pigment. Those warm tones are your underlying pigment shining through. Without the ashy violet-blue molecules to counteract the yellow-orange molecules, the warm hues become the dominant tone and color.

The causes are basically any element that has the ability to lift or fade hair color.

Shampoos with sulfates
Ocean water
Sun exposure
Products containing silicone or parabens
Mineral deposits from the shower or swimming pool
Multiple layers of dye
Chemical processes exposing underlying pigment

Generally, the darker the hair, the more challenging it is to lift the underlying pigment, making it more prone to brassiness. Find your underlying pigment on the color charts below. I'm a natural level 3 but highlighted to dark blonde, my underlying pigment is red through orange-gold, so I've had lots of practice fending off the brassy orange tones.

How To Fix Brassy Hair

Purple Shampoo
Deposits surface color to counteract unwanted warmth and brassiness, there are several brands on the market. Here are few I've used; Clairol Shimmerlights, John Frieda Sheer blonde Color Renew, Matrix So Silver (so far my favorite)... Next I plan to try Schwarzkopf Bonacure Color Save Silver Shampoo.

Toner
Hair toner is a low peroxide deposit only color used to neutralize unwanted tones, such as orange and yellow in the hair. They work by canceling out colors opposite to them on the color wheel. (See color wheel below). The toner is mixed with either a 10 or 20 volume developer. The hydrogen peroxide is the activator in the developer, it allows the toner to penetrate and deposit dye molecules under the cuticle layer of your hair. It's not everlasting color though, in my experience they typically last as long as a semi-permanent color, demi-permanent if I'm lucky.

How To Choose A Toner
Examine the color wheel, the colors opposite each other, counteract each other. Know the underlying pigments you want to correct and then choose a toner with the base that will best counter that color.

Example:
Green neutralizes Red
Blue neutralizes Orange
Violet neutralizes Yellow

The Best Time To Apply Toner
The best time to apply toner is directly after bleaching. Simply rinse the bleach out of your hair, shampoo and towel dry until your hair is slightly damp. Then you're ready to tone, be sure to follow the directions for your brand of toner. It's important to watch the color and processing time, if left on too long, a toner can deposit too much color (especially on porous hair) leaving you with gray or lavender tinged hair.

Wella Color Charm Toners

Currently I use Wella Color Charm Toners in T14 or T18. I tone promptly after bleaching. But on occasion if it washes out too soon or fades entirely and purple shampoo just isn't cutting the warmth enough, I'll tone again to refresh the coolness. My root bleaching days are over though, as you may have seen in previous posts here and here. These days nothing touches my roots, I'm letting my virgin hair grow out and into a subtle low maintenance ombre effect. So as it stands now, I only have to fuss over the ends.

Wella offers 5 different toning shades in 3 color families, silver, ash and beige.

*Silver
T10 Pale Blonde (Violet-Blue Base)

*Ash
T14 Pale Ash Blonde (Violet-Blue Base)
T18 Lightest Ash Blonde (Violet Base)

*Beige
T11 Lightest Beige Blonde (Gold-Violet Base)
T35 Beige Blonde (Gold-Violet Base)

I mix 1 part Wella Color Charm Toner with 2 parts 10 volume creme developer. Wella recommends using their 20 volume developer but I don't want the lift, I want deposit-only color. A friend who use to be a color correction specialist recommended I get a 0 volume and cut the 10 down to a 5 or even just use the 0 for deposit-only. But other sources mention going that low weakens the ability of the formula to penetrate the cuticle, making the color even more vulnerable to washing out faster. If you have any experiences, please share in the comments.

I have much more to share but we'll save it for another post.
xoxo,
Christine

Bleached Blonde To Brown Hair

2013-02-12T14:09:00.000-10:00

I have returned... to the dark side! After months of lusting over photos of beautiful brunette hair, ombre hair, and balayage highlights, I finally took the plunge. I am a bleached blonde no more.

There's no question, the bleached blonde look was fun for a few years BUT I had to face the facts... my hair hated it, it was over highlighted, damaged, breaking, lost it's natural shine and started reminding me of steel wool... it wasn't looking good folks. That's when I decided it was time for the change and it needed to happen pronto!

I had already spent months mentally preparing and obsessing over photos of how I wanted my hair to look. I knew I wanted to start growing out my natural roots but I also knew I didn't want just a typical dark brown dye job. Been there, done that (this is the second time I've gone dark from blonde), I didn't love the look of grown out roots and faded dye when it's suppose to appear as if it's all one color. Fading on me is guaranteed, it happens remarkably fast when you spend a lot of time in the intense tropical sun and surf.

So what's the plan of action? How do I fix this hot mess and hot roots I've gotten myself into?

Ombre! A brilliantly low maintenance style. Where roots can grow out in peace, where dye can fade as it pleases and highlights can be easily maintained at the ends with regular trims.

Of course this had to happen in two parts. First, ditch the bleached blonde that took over the top of my head like a brown hair eating bacteria. So I went to my local beauty supply store and picked up Wella Color Charm 6N/611 Dark Blonde, Clairol 10 Volume Developer and Neutral Protein Filler.

It's important to let you know why I chose each of these products, which I also explain briefly in the video.

Mixing Bowl, Tinting Brush, Hair Clips, Rat Tail Comb.

*Measuring/mixing, application & sectioning hair.

Chemical Cape & Gloves

*Protect clothes/body & hands from dye and chemicals.

(I started out with a towel around me but switched to a cape, they're lightweight, easier to work in and worth the investment if you plan on doing your hair yourself regularly.

Colorful Neutral Protein Filler & Spray Bottle

*Helps color adhere more evenly and predictable on porous bleached hair. Spray bottle makes application easier.

Wella Color Charm 6N/611 Dark Blonde

*I chose to go a couple of levels lighter than my actual goal since porous light hair can pull too dark. I chose a neutral tone because an ash tone would have turned my hair green/gray and a gold tone would have been too warm, since I already had a lot of gold and warmth in my blonde hair.

10 Volume Developer

*For depositing color only, not lifting it any further.

Step-by-step video on how I went from bleached blonde to brown at home.

Continued in the next post, Part 2: Balayage Highlights

Have you gone from bleached blonde to brunette?...or from brunette to bleached blonde? Was it a success or a trial and error learning experience? Share in the comments!

xoxo,
Christine

Balayage Highlights At Home

2013-02-12T13:49:00.000-10:00

This is Part 2 of my hair transformation.

In my previous post, I dyed only the top portion of my hair, focusing the dye near the roots on the light bleached blonde pieces, stopping about mid shaft. So I was left with freshly dyed light brown hair near the roots, dark to medium blonde pieces at mid shaft and dark brown virgin hair at the ends. Since the goal is a subtle ombre effect, the next step is to lighten up the ends, they need to be the lightest part of this equation. Let's get started!

Products I used and why...

Mixing Bowl, Tinting Brush, Hair Clips, Rat Tail Comb.

*Measuring/mixing, application & sectioning hair.

Chemical Cape & Gloves

*Protect clothes/body & hands from chemicals.

L'Oreal Quick Blue Powder Lightener

*High lift, lightens dark hair fast, blue tint helps reduce brassy tones.

Clairol Volume 30 Creme Developer

*Creamy non-drip formula, extra lift (this is as high as I go, I never use 40, too damaging).

Plastic Wrap

*Doesn't conduct heat, gentle coloring effects & easy to monitor the lightening.

Step-by-step video of how I did Balayage Highlights at home.

After processing for 30 minutes, I rinsed and moved on to the final step, toning. (We'll talk all about toners in the next post).

The Results

My hair mission this year is to let my roots grow out and since it's a long journey to virgin hair I'll be enjoying the ombre effect and beachy balayage highlights in the meantime.

Are you on a hair mission this year? Changing your color? Lowlights? Highlights? Are you a DIY kind of girl or salon girl? Share in the comments!
xoxo,
Christine

DIY Massage Bars (Lotion Bars)

2013-02-04T11:19:00.003-10:00

This is my recipe for making delicious "white chocolate" massage bars! An ultra rich moisturizer and homemade dessert for your skin!

What is a massage bar?

A massage bar or lotion bar, looks similar to a bar of soap but it's not for bathing... It's a body butter in bar form, made with natural oils, butters and wax. When applied to the skin it melts on contact with your body heat, leaving your skin a glow with nourishing oils and butters.

How to apply a massage bar?

Apply directly to dry skin, allow bar to warm with body heat and glide along your skin slowly. The oils will melt into your skin as you glide along.

Where to apply a massage bar?

Anywhere you have dry skin that needs nourishment. Massage bars give a gorgeous glowy sheen to the legs, arms and they're especially good for healing those extra dry, rough areas such as elbows, knees, heels, hands, etc...

When to apply a massage bar?

I like to apply massage bars in the morning before I begin my day. Since they are quite rich and can feel slightly tacky like a body butter, I personally don't like applying them before bed. But it's up to you of course.

Now on to the recipe! The amounts I listed below makes (1) 2oz bar. But you can easily customize your massage bar recipe or make larger quantities. For the base just remember to use: Equal Parts: Wax, Butter, Oil.

PinkSoFoxy's White Chocolate Massage Bars

1 1/2 Tbsp Beeswax

1 Tbsp Cocoa Butter

1/2 Tbsp Shea Butter

1 Tbsp Vanilla Infused Coconut Oil (Monoi Oil)
1/2 Tbsp Kukui Nut Oil

Easy step by step instruction video with extra tips and ideas.

In the video, I used a microwave but you can use a double-boiler to melt the wax instead if you want.

Where I buy my ingredients:
Beeswax from a local bee keeper. (But you can buy it on Etsy too).

Vitacost for oils and butters,
Get $10 OFF your first order here: Vitacost
Sign up and pass on the savings to friends and family. Vitacost prices beat paying retail any day!

Another great source for ingredients is Mountain Rose Herbs

Silicone Molds I purchased on Etsy from HappyDIY (It takes awhile to receive them though because they ship from overseas)

Enjoy and happy massage bar making!!

xoxo Christine

Zoya Swatches: Natural Nudes!

2013-01-30T17:48:00.002-10:00

Natural Nudes? Yes please!! Whether we're talking nails or shoes... naked nudes are always in style! Care for a creamy tan or classic camel? How about bombshell beige or tawny taupe? ...all elegant and effortlessly chic. Did I mention these sophisticated shades do wonders for elongating our hands and legs! So when we pass by each other in the mall dressed in our strappy nude wedges and creamy beige nails, it'll be our little secret! *wink*

Avery

Farrah

Minka (Indoors)

Pandora

Pasha (Indoors)

Pasha (Sunlight)

Shay

Do you have a favorite nude polish? Share it in the comments!

Zoya Swatches: Coral, Peach, Tangerine!

2013-01-30T15:13:00.003-10:00

Do your nails dream? ...Of days spent on sun-drenched white sand beaches, evenings basking under coral skies of a tropical sunset, sipping a sparkling mimosa (virgin for me please) cocktail... Well for goodness sakes let's not make them wait any longer, sounds like they're in desperate need of a vacation from the wintertime blahs. Quench their thirst for summer brights with energizing shades of tangerine, peach, soft corals and smooth creamsicles!

Arizona

Cassi (Sunlight)

Cassie (Indoors)

Clara (Sunlight)

Clara (Indoors)

Eva

Gabrielle

Ginger

Jancyn

Kimmy

Maya (Sunlight)

Maya (Indoors)

Poppy

Rica

Sunny

Tanzy

Willow