The Beauty Collectors

Sorry

2012-02-02T16:26:00.001-05:00

for the slow week in posting. Things have been really hectic over, but I will be posting a review for a waterproof liquid eyeliner soon.

Dye Fail

2012-01-30T00:15:00.001-05:00

So, last week I gathered up enough courage to go to the beauty supply store and get my jet black hair dye (well, bluest black by Jazzing to be exact). Since this hair dye is temporary, I did a strand test (which I never do, bad girl lol) to see how long I should leave the dye in my hair in order to get a good black color.

I left the dye in for about 45 minutes, washed it out, and checked the color. At this point I felt very accomplished and proud of my big step, lol. It was kind of late, so I decided I would finish the complete transformation the next day.

A couple of hours later, I was in bed with my hubby watching anime (love it by the way) on the computer when my left arm started to itch. It was getting really uncomfortable, so I looked at my arm and there were tiny bumps all over. By the way, I never break out in a rash like this and after about 10 minutes of freaking out thinking tiny spiders were the culprit, I remembered the damn hair dye. The rash steadily spread to the left side of my back, then jumped over to my right arm.

At first I really didn't think it could be the dye because it was on my head, I didn't bathe in it. Also I'm not allergic to anything (except kiwis), so of course my first attempt at dying my hair had to end in failure. Now I'm left to wonder if this will be the outcome with every hair dye or just the cheap ones? Am I meant to never dye my hair? Was it even the dye that made me break out or a freak accident? And I'm even more hesitant to try again. Maybe I'll try again...maybe, lol.

I Found It!!

2012-01-25T12:32:00.000-05:00

I finally found the color that I've been looking for, yay!! I've been looking for this aqua blue for a couple of months; bought and returned several polishes that were too transparent and thin.

essence color & go from Ulta

This nail polish dries super fast, which is awesome because I'm clumsy (between finishing the color and putting the top coat on is more than enough time for me to screw up my nails, lol). For only 99 cents, I have no problems buying the crap out of this polish. I love this color! Now i just have to think about some designs to add to this color, since I found out Sally's sells nail art stuff, yay!!

This nail addiction has caused me to start thinking about making my own nail polish. However, I know that won't happen because I don't have the funds or the space to even attempt it. Maybe some other time...

Ok, I'm Doing It...

2012-01-23T22:03:00.001-05:00

I'm going to dye my hair for the first time ever. Nothing too drastic though; my natural hair color is dark brown and I want to dye it black.

Before doing research, like I usually do before buying anything, I went to the store to look at some hair dyes. Once i saw the words permanent, I felt my stomach tighten and twist. I felt like i was having a panic attack and told my mom I couldn't do it, lol. Of course I over-reacted (only slightly, lol). I talked to my friend about dying my hair (she has done it a bunch of times, why didn't i talk to her before, duh) and she told me to definitely get semi permanent.

I just got done doing the research I should have done before and I feel a lot better about this decision. I can't wait to do this because I'm definitely looking for/in need of some change. After I make the leap I'll post the outcome, how i like the color, and how the dye treated my hair. I also give some tips on how to prepare for an at home dye job for my fellow first timers.

I hope everything works out! : )

Lip Balm Review

2012-01-18T19:43:00.000-05:00

In November or December of last year I went on a lip balm hunt. My favorite was Carmex (you know the one in the teeny little jar with the yellow top), but for some reason my lips started revolting. I went through about 5 different lips balms before I finally did some online research.

Jumping back in with my new found tips I found these 3 pretty good lip balms:

Yes to Carrots Lip Butter: about $3

It really does feel like you are putting butter on your lips. Soft, lasting, and my lips easily absorb the product. It is paraben and petroleum free, made from all natural ingredients, and about 95% organic. There are other flavors (berry, mint, melon, and pomegranate), but I prefer flavorless lip balms. This is definitely one of my favorites.

Neutrogena Naturals Lip Balm: about $3

Not buttery, but still pretty good if you're inside. It has a slight minty, citrus smell. Harsh chemicals aren't included and has a lot of natural ingredients, but my lips still feel a little waxy. This product would be better if my lips could absorb more of the goodness.

Maybelline Baby Lips: about $4

I do like this product, but there are a couple of things that bother me. When I apply it to my lips, I constantly smell the soap mixture that you use to blow bubbles. At first, I thought it was just me, so I had my sister try it and she could smell it too. I figured it would go away, but unfortunately, it hasn't. Also, this could just be a part of my lip healing, but it seems to make my bottom lip (the area where my top and bottom lip touch) dry and peely (not a word, lol). Even with these cons, I do like this lip balm or maybe I just really really want to. Try it yourself and let me know if I'm just being crazy : P

2012 Trends: Sheepskin

2012-01-17T22:37:00.006-05:00

This season, I've been noticing stylish and really warm sheepskin coats and vests. They’re usually black, or in earth tones. Personally, they have more of an appeal in a natural toned color.

If you prefer flash, get a crazy loud color.

Another thing I really love about them is that they come in numerous lengths, shapes, and they are all cut differently.

I mean pea coats are great, but sheepskin coats are warmer, especially since its winter. Sheepskin doesn't make you feel like you’re doing too much the way a fur coat or even faux fur does, but I’ve seen them lined with fur in an understated manner that can work quite well. They can be worn casually, but if you prefer an edgier look, you can purchase the cropped versions with the over-sized lapels and zippers instead of the usual ones that fall a few inches short of your knee.

You can also always do the sheepskin vests, love them! The sheepskin vests that look the best to me are the ones that cascade down the front without zippers and buttons, simple! They usually have trim and are cropped.

You just cant go wrong with those options!

Practice Makes Perfect

2012-01-17T19:27:00.000-05:00

My makeup resolution this year is to practice more with my makeup. Not because I suck at it, I'm just bored with my current makeup style. It could just be me over analyzing, but when I do put on makeup it doesn't look as good as the tutorials I watch. I definitely need practice since I have new items that I've never used before (fake lashes, brushes, contacts, blah, blah, blah).

Ok my mini rant is over now, tootles : )

Product Review

2012-01-17T12:00:00.002-05:00

WARNING : Using this product will make you realize soft cuticles are important and that your cuticles are in dire need of attention (if you didn't already).

I'm not a fan of Burt's Bees' lip balm and the price (about $6) made me a little hesitant to try this product. Now I can't go 1 day without it. Its addictive, which is a good things because you have to use it constantly or else your cuticles become dry again. After about a day or so, I saw/felt a big difference.

It's definitely a buttery consistency that easily rubs into your cuticles and it smells delicious.

I'm sure plenty of people have already tried/use this product, but I figured I would do a little review for the people who are like me (new to nail care). So here you are and I hope it helps : )

Nail Polish Addict

2012-01-13T16:15:00.003-05:00

So ADORABLE!!

So, for the past month or so I've been on this nail polish kick. This is a surprising a new thing for me because I bite my nails, well use to (my lovely new wisdom teeth have shifted my teeth to where I can't really bite down the same). Now that I'm forced to let them grow, which is a good thing, I'm trying out different colors and brands and I might even start drawing designs on them :D

I started looking at some websites and blogs that are dedicated to nails:
http://www.fashioncatalogtrend.com/catalog/nail-art-2/

http://fuckyeahnailart.tumblr.com/

http://www.alllacqueredup.com/

http://www.typef.com/nail-designs/

I'm still at the very beginning stages of this, but I have a feeling I'm going to have a lot of fun!

Healthy Tidbit

2012-01-13T11:57:00.004-05:00

Trying to be healthy on a budget can be quite difficult, which is annoying because you're trying to do the right thing, but its like you're being punished for it. Well, these 3 tips may make it a little easier to have a healthy budget:

Dried Beans vs Canned
A can of beans is more convenient, but buying the dried kind can save you about $40 a year.

I made this chick pea dish using dry chick peas and it was so good that my boyfriend's friend is always asking if I can make it again. I had never used dry beans before, so I had to learn how to soak them properly, but it wasn't difficult at all. Definitely try it.

Juice vs Whole

Instead of buying juice, which hurts me because it seems like the price of juice is always going up, buy whole fruit. Not only will you save about $2.50 a month, you'll also gain 5 times the calcium and 10% of your daily vitamin D.

Not saying that you should do the same, but I just recently bought a juicer and i actually love it. I get to play around with a variety of fruit combinations and i know what I'm putting in my juice. I had to get use to the fact that it wasn't going to taste like the juice i buy, but its still delicious and I feel good about being a little more healthy : )

Tofu is Not so Bad

Tofu is cheap and very versatile. Its a googd source of calcium that will save you about $157 a year. Yeah it looks like a bit unappealing, but the great thing about it is that it takes on the flavor of whatever you're cooking. Use it to make a delicious smoothie for breakfast instead of yogurt.

I use to go to this vegetarian restaurant that would use tofu instead of chicken in the dish I would get and I couldn't tell the difference. Because the cook prepared the dish using the usual ingredients, it tasted amazing still.

Easy Brush Cleanser

2012-01-09T16:44:00.002-05:00

So, I found an easy and cheaper way to clean your makeup brushes. I'm really excited about this because I went to Ulta, Sephora, and Target looking for a good brush cleaner, but they were a little on the expensive side ($6 to $12). $6 isn't much, but if you have a lot of brushes that you use everyday, that price can add up. A lot of people use alternative cleaners like baby shampoo and facial cleanser, but those don't disinfect.

Ok so what is this awesome cleaner? A mixture of antibacterial dish soap and extra virgin olive oil. Sounds a little weird, I know, I thought so too, but it really works. I found this cleanser by watching Michelle Phan's youtube tutorial:

I tried it the other day and it really leaves my brushes soft and clean like I never used them. Try it!

Budget Bronzer

2012-01-05T21:53:00.001-05:00

Hope this answers your question : )

When picking your bronzer, you want to look for something that is 1 (Winter season) or 2 shades darker than your skin color. Be careful not to go too dark because you don't want to look dirty. Look for sheer rather than shimmery; too much shimmer and glitter will look unnatural. If you like the glitter look, save it for nighttime.

If you want a dewy glow or have slightly dry skin use liquid, creamy, or gel bronzers. Those with oily skin should use powder bronzers, which are also perfect for beginners because its easier to apply than liquid. Cream and gel bronzers are also good for beginners and work with all skin types.

Still a little unsure about how to find the right bronzer for you? This article is more detailed and may help.

Here are just a couple of budget friendly bronzers:

CoverGirl Trueblend Mineral Bronzer: about $8

It does have some shimmer to it, so be careful not to use too much or just save it for the night out

CoverGirl Queen Collection: about $7

For women of color, this just might be the best. It ss more subtle than the Trueblend Mineral Bronzer. Looks like a pressed powder and has a slight sheen.

Rimmel Natural Bronzer: about $5

Don't let the orange color scare you, it looks better when you apply it. This one comes in 3 shades and is a matte product, which means little shimmer.

Physicians Formula Bronze Booster: about $14

Physicians has a great selection of bronzers, but the Booster seems to be the favorite. This one is a little more expensive, but its worth it. It comes in 3 shades (fair to light, light to medium, and medium to dark), but is a little on the light side.

Eye Care

2011-12-30T20:54:00.000-05:00

Dark circles and eye puffiness can be can be very annoying and frustrating. Sometimes makeup isn't enough. So I found some alternative ways to deal with these issues.

Puffy Eyes

You can develop bags under your eyes by sleeping too little or even too much. Excess fluid flows to your face when you lie down for more than 8 hours a day. When you go to sleep, keep your head elevated so you can lessen the fluid buildup.

For me, sometimes sleeping with more than one pillow hurts my neck in the morning. So another option is to take your under eye serum (I use Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller) and keep it in the fridge. When you're ready to use it, the cold will calm the swelling down. Use it throughout the day in order to keep the swelling down.

Dark Circles

There are a couple of reasons why you may have dark circles: allergies, sinus problems, or age. An eye cream with caffeine can help make dark circles less obvious. Use about a pea size amount in the morning and before you go to bed. Apply your concealer (should be the same shade as your skin tone or else the circles will show more) on top.

Dry Bloodshot Eyes

Drinking liquor, allergies, staring at a computer screen too long (not blinking), and certain contact lenses that don't let your eyes breathe can make your eyes red. Using eye drops a couple times a day will definitely keep your eyes moisturized and less red. You can also use a white or bone colored eye liner on your water line along with a navy color liner for your lid. The will counteract the red making your eyes look brighter and the white makes your eyes look bigger and more open.

Revamping on a Budget

2011-12-30T20:51:00.000-05:00

I have decided to give myself a beauty and fashion makeover, finally. I've wanted to do this for a while, but stuff kept coming up (13 hour work days, being broke, getting a blood clot in my lung, etc lol), which side tracked my goal. I never really had my own style. In college, I would wear my friends clothes because they always had awesome clothes that I would never think to buy; mostly because I couldn't really think outside the box of plain shirt and jeans, lol. I don't know. And whenever I tried to shop for myself, I always second guessed myself and end up leaving the store empty handed.

Sick of biting off my friends, I went out and bought several products to get me started on my beauty makeover:

It's not a lot, but these (and eyeshadow) are, what I think, the bare essentials.

Minus the products I'm returning (I'll make a separate post for my product review) and the contacts in the lens case, I spent about $40. I think I did pretty good. There's still a couple of things i need to buy i think, so I'll post when I get them.

I'm hoping this blog will help me find my style. I'll be doing massive research using YouTube and magazines. Whatever I learn I'll definitely post.

Win the Cold War

2011-12-30T17:14:00.000-05:00

Here are 5 ways you can prevent or recover quickly from a cold:

1.Probiotics
Probiotics are microorganisms (bacteria or yeast) that are believed to improve your health. You can find them in supplement form or in foods like yogurt.

2. Fresh Air
Going outside and breathing in the fresh, cold dry air actually helps nasal congestion. Menthol and eucalyptus lozenges have the same affect if you're too sick to get out of bed. Just remember cool=clear.

3. Exercise
20 minutes of aerobic exercise at least 5 days a week will strengthen you immune system. You will definitely have fewer and more mild colds if any at all.

4. Public Transportation
I know it can be difficult to avoid the bus or train when living in the city, so try to protect yourself by not touching your face while riding. Always carry a handy antibacterial hand sanitizer; Bath and Body Works sells a wide variety.

5. Hum?
This one is kind of odd, but according to Timothy McCall, M.D. (author of Yoga as Medicine), "vibrations from humming open the sinuses and let phlegm drain," (eww, lol). Doing this can relieve sinus pressure and may avert bacterial infection.

2012 Trends: Royal Blue

2011-12-28T21:15:00.001-05:00

I wasn't crazy about this shade of blue at first, but this fast growing color trend that I'm seeing more and more of is growing on me. What I love about it is the fact that it's not a loud color necessarily, but it definitely stands out.

This particular Kate Fogarty coat is absolutely chic and classic looking.

This beautiful color is being used frequently for the holidays mainly in blazers, pea coats, shoes and more. However, make no mistake, we wear this fab royal color no matter what season we're in. Its just nice to see another color stand out along with the typical reds and greens of the fall/winter seasons.

Winter Makeup Tips

2011-12-19T16:45:00.001-05:00

Make sure your face is exfoliated and moisturized before applying your makeup.

Picking the right foundation can be tricky. Some people say stay away from powder and some say stay away from liquid. Another debate is to matte or not to matte. I usually use liquid foundation with a matte finish. However, I did just buy Revlon's Photo Finish foundation; I keep hearing good things about it and finally decided to try it out. If you feel like the liquid foundation looks caked on, another option is tinted moisturizer.

Water proof makeup is not only for the Summer. When its windy or extremely cold outside you'll tear up and make your makeup run down you cheeks.

To get a nice bronze look without looking crazy, use a bronzer that is no more than one shade darker than your skin tone.

6 Winter Skincare Tips

2011-12-19T14:30:00.000-05:00

Yay my first official post! I hope it helps...

Pic Source: thestyleandbeautydoctor.com

1. Ixnay on the Hot Shower...ay
Taking a hot shower in the morning when its freezing outside is an awesome feeling. Unfortunately, it can be harmful to your skin if it lasts longer than 15 minutes. The combination of hot water and cool dry air has a negative affect on your skin's lipid layer, which holds all the moisture. To prevent rough, dry, and itchy skin take shorter or lukewarm showers or both. Pat yourself dry instead of rubbing and use a thick lotion.

2. Switch from a Summer Face Regimen to a Winter One
When there isn't as much moisture in the air, its better to use a non-foaming (soap-based) facial cleanser. These along with toners and astringents that are alcohol based are created to strip your skin of oil. This will make your face even more dry than it already is. You should also exfoliate at least once a week using a scrub containing gentle beads (I use St. Ives).

3. Prevent Chapped Lips
A viscous lip balm will allow the ingredients to penetrate fissures more easily than a waxy balm. Petrolatum, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, ceramides (restores skin barrier) and dimethicone are all ingredients that are good at restoring moisture. Instead of using a washcloth or scrub to exfoliate your lips, look for balms containing alpha hydroxy acid. Ingredients to stay away from: lanolin, fragrance, and cinnamon. Always apply balm after you brush your teeth and wash your face in order to prevent dehydrated lips. You could also use a rich eye cream that hydrates (not firming) on your lips.

4. Hands
After washing dishes, being out in the cold, and washing to get rid of germs, your hands are extremely dry. Use mild and creamy antibacterial soaps, rinse with lukewarm water, and always use lotion. Wearing gloves outside will prevent your fingernails from cracking and peeling. Wearing gloves to bed or for 30 minutes a day after slathering your hands with a creamy lotion will make a big difference. For added hydration, rub cuticle oil onto your nails once a week.

5. Sandpaper Feet
This is probably my biggest pet peeve. When I'm trying to cuddle with my sweetie I don't want to scratch him to death or rip up my sheets with my rough feet. Since I don't have the funds to splurge on a pedicure every couple of weeks, I've come up with my own regimen: I scrub my feet with a pumice bar everytime I take a shower (I leaves this for the last thing to do because it makes it easier to scrub my feet), when I'm done with my shower I apply a thick lotion that is specifically for feet, and immediately put on socks. This regimen is an easy and great way to prevent sandpaper feet.

6. SPF
Your skin absorbs the sun's rays in the winter time, so choose a daytime moisturizer that is at least SPF 30 with UVA and UVB protection.

source: lifestyle.msn.com

Welcome!

2011-12-18T21:22:00.000-05:00

Hello and welcome! I know my blog is looking a bit skimpy, but I promise over the next week I will be adding a lot of info and tips. Hopefully when you come back you'll fall in love and visit forever, lol.