Time And Money Saving Beauty Tips

Announcement

2008-08-31T19:16:00.000-07:00

Hello all,

I wanted to let you know that I have continued this blog on my own website located at http://gorgeousforless.com

This was not an easy decision, but I wanted to have the freedom that Wordpress offers.

All posts from this blog have been imported into the new site and there is quite a bit more information over on the new site. I hope you enjoy it and hope to see you there.

I will update here from time to time, but wanted to explain the absence.

Thank you all for your continued support!

Tips To Repair Sun Damage

2007-10-26T07:58:00.000-07:00

There was a link to a great article on MSN this morning about repairing sun damage to your skin.

In case you didn't see it, you can find it here:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/21423588/?GT1=10450

The article includes some great tips and product recommendations. Well worth taking a look at.

Olive Oil for Soft Hands

2007-10-23T19:37:00.000-07:00

Olive oil has amazing purifying properties that deeply clean sensitive skin and leave it baby soft. The main reason is the rich, fatty acids that protect your skin from drying out.

For hands try Cucina Purifying Hand Wash with Lemon and Olive Oil. You can get it at http://www.drugstore.com

For even softer hands after washing, try locking in the moisture by immediately smoothing on a rich olive oil hand cream.

Some customers even report their hands look younger after a few weeks of use.

Olive Oil For Youthful Skin

2007-10-22T04:22:00.000-07:00

The age fighting antioxidants in olives minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Not to mention the moisturizing capabilities.

One to try:

Jardin del Oliver Dry Skin Cream with Olive Oil
Fairly inexpensive at http://www.drugstore.com
Several of my customers are reporting amazing results with this cream.

Lift A Sagging Neck

2007-10-20T20:57:00.000-07:00

As we get older, the one thing we know for sure is that gravity will affect us all, but here's a great trick to fight neck sagging a.k.a. chicken neck.

To tighten the neck and jawline, place both hands side by side in front of the throat.

Using your fingers, push the skin on your neck firmly upward to the chin and then outward toward the ears, then circling down toward your collarbone.

Repeat this movement twice.

The motion increases skin-firming blood circulation and drains any fluid buildup. Doing this simple exercise daily should result in a leaner, more toned neck within four weeks.

Simple Trick To Save Broken Lipstick

2007-10-18T20:15:00.000-07:00

It happens to all of us. You have a favorite lipstick and while you're applying the lipcolor, it breaks.

Don't be sad. Repair it with this quick fix.

Remove the broken piece with a tissue, then wave a lit match beneath it. I don't need to tell you this, but don't catch the tissue on fire. Once the lipstick softens, put it back on the base, swivel the tube down and stick it in the fridge for about 5-10 minutes. The chill will set the mold and you've just saved yourself from having to buy another tube.

Chocolate Lovers - Good News!

2007-10-17T21:06:00.000-07:00

This is the best news I've heard in years for people who love chocolate. German researchers completed a three month study where they gave women chocolate every day for the duration of the test. The results? The women's skin became moister, smoother and even showed less damage from the sun.

Another independent study proved that regularly enjoying chocolate increases the skin's moisture by 30% and reduces redness and irritation by 25%.

So how does chocolate accomplish these results? The flavonols found in chocolate are powerful antioxidants that stop damage from free radicals that age the skin.

Other studies have shown that chocolate can also boost your memory, attention span, reaction time and problem solving abilities. As well, studies have shown that chocolate can prevent cavities (yes you read correctly), beat depression, strengthen your heart, fight PMS, ease stress, help you feel more passionate and even live longer. If you'd like to read more about any of the studies, leave a comment here on the blog regarding which ones you want to see and I'll post them for you.

I don't know about you, but I have no problem including chocolate in my daily routine. lol

As always, comments are welcome.

Salon Perfect Hair After Cut

2007-10-16T04:53:00.000-07:00

Many people want to know how to keep their hair salon perfect days after a cut.

One way to help keep your style is to sleep on a satin pillowcase. Satin lets your hair slide around while you're sleeping which leads to fewer tangles so you're hair is easier to style.

You can also wrap your hair in a scarf or bandana to help hold the style in place.
If your style is not curly, you can use a dry shampoo to remove excess oils that weigh down the hair and destroy your style. Simply massage it through the scalp and brush with a nylon or natural boar bristle brush.

Home Skin Remedies

2007-10-15T20:59:00.000-07:00

Here are a few more home remedies to try for different skin and hair types. They're working for several of my clients, so I thought I'd pass them along to you.

Dry Skin:
Mix 1 egg white, 1 tsp. honey, and 1 tsp. full-fat cream
Pat onto the skin and leave for about 20 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water. The benefits of this treatment are that it conditions the skins and leaves it soft, supple and radiant.

Redness and Irritation:
Mix 2 Tablespoons of milk powder with rosewater
Pat on and leave until dry. Rinse with lukewarm water. Refreshes and tones the skin.

Hair is smooth, but sometimes Oily:
Mix 1 egg with 2 tablespoons of fresh orange juice
Wisk together and massage onto scalp. Use as a final rinse after shampoo. This has proven to be and excellent cure for oily hair.

Facial Scrub For Everyone:
Mix 1 tablespoon chopped fresh pineapple with 1 teaspoon ground almonds
Simply rub on the face using gentle, circular movements. Rinse with lukewarm water and you'll have instantly softer skin.

If you give these a try, please take the time to come back and comment on how they worked out for you. I'd love to hear your stories.

Cheryl Tiegs Unbelievable Review

2007-07-27T11:47:00.000-07:00

Supermodel Cheryl Tiegs, age 58, recently featured as one of the Age Defying Women on the Oprah show now shares one of her best beauty secrets, and better yet, makes this amazing product available to you through this special Free Trial offer.

Clinically proven to:

- Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Up to 50% reduction in just minutes
- Lasts for hours

Finally, an instant Botox alternative!

Try it Free Now
Cheryl Tiegs Unbelievable

Unbelievable is a revolutionary new serum that instantly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes, face and neck. This product is so effective, that 100% of participants in a recent study noticed significant results. In clinical trials, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles was reduced by up to 50%!

Now for the first time with this special internet offer, you have the chance to try this remarkable product at no risk. You have nothing to loose but your wrinkles.

Please click here to go to your special free trial offer.
Try It Now

I first heard about this product from the rave review of my customers and decided to give it a try. Just like them, I saw pretty amazing results. If you have tried it or have any experience with the product, I invite you to comment here and let everyone know.

Once again, I have to apologize for not keeping this blog updated with great tips and tricks. The summer has been extremely busy and I've been working extremely long hours. With back to school and the fall season coming up, I'll have more time to post. Thanks for reading and I'll be back in a day or so with some cool tips. Take care!

Melissa

Home Skin Remedies

2007-04-13T14:10:00.000-07:00

Finding the Perfect Eye Cream

2007-04-05T05:34:00.000-07:00

Eye creams should be a daily part of your beauty regimen. If you're not using one, you definitely should. Other than your lips, the skin around the eyes is the most delicate on your face and should be protected as well as moisturized to prevent premature aging. Below you will find four recommended creams for different problems. Give them a try my clients are raving about them.

For fine lines, eye creams with alpha-hydroxy acid are your best bet. This "magic" ingredient helps to moisturize the skin around your eyes and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Try Neutrogena Healthy Skin Eye Cream.

For dark circles, give an eye cream with citrus extracts to improve your skin's tone and circulation. Try Clean & Clear Morning Glow Eye Brightening Cream.

For puffiness, try and eye cream with cucumber to reduce puffiness and soothe the skin. Try Olay Total Effects Eye Transforming Cream.

For sagginess, lifting eye creams help tighten the skin around your eyes and make you look younger (always a plus). Try RoC Protient Fortify Lift and Define Eye Cream.

If you don't have any of the above problems, just about any eye cream will work for you. One thing I forgot to mention is that if you use an eye cream, your eyeshadow goes on much smoother and is easier to blend.

If you know of a great eye cream, please post a comment and tell me about it. I'm always looking for new products that work to recommend to my clients.

Turn To Nature For Beautiful Skin

2007-04-04T19:14:00.000-07:00

There are several new "miracle" creams on the market to help give you a soft complexion and solve your biggest skin problems. Read on to find out how pomegranate, green tea, honey, orange and roses can help you get glowing, smooth skin.

Skin Problem: Rough, Wrinkled or Dry

Solution: Rose Cream

Roses are beautiful and wonderfully fragrant, but roses and rose hips have been known for reducing the appearance of wrinkles and smoothing fine lines. They have also been reported to help maintain your skin's moisture and nourish the skin cells giving you much more supple skin.

Recommended Creams:
Mod Spa Rose Hips Rejuvenating Face Cream
$13 at http://www.drugstore.com

Besame Delightful Rose Balance Lotion
$45 at http://www.besamecosmetics.com

Skin Problem: Dull

Solution: Orange Cream

There is an abundance of Vitamin C in oranges that helps your skin synthesize collagen. The more collagen you have in your skin, the smoother and brighter your complexion will be.

Recommended Cream:
The Body Shop SPF 15 Daily Moisturizer with Vitamin C
$16 at http://www.thebodyshop.com

Skin Problem: Sensitive But Dry

Solution: Honey & Royal Jelly Cream

What is Royal Jelly? Simply put, it's the food that worker bees feed to the queen bee and it's packed with skin-soothing minerals. Honey is extremely gentle and nourishing, especially for sensitive, dry patches of skin that leaves you with long-lasting softness.

Recommended Creams:
Hydromiel Honey Night Cream
$11 at http://drugstore.com

Skin Problem: Oily

Solution: Pomegranate Cream

The extremely juicy seeds of the pomegranate fruit help regulate oil production, clarify breakouts and moisturize the skin.

Recommended Creams:
Korres Pomegranate Balancing Moisturizer
$29 at http://www.sephora.com

Skin Problem: Sun or Wind Damaged

Solution: Green Tea Cream

Been outside and your skin feeling rather leathery or dry? Green tea - a potent antioxidant - is skin calming and helps minimize damage from the elements, giving your skin a more even tone and much smoother texture.

Recommended Creams:
Alba Hawaiian Aloe & Green Tea Oil-Free Moisturizer
$17 at http://www.albabotanica.com

On a side note, I have to apologize once again for not keeping this updated. The holidays were crazy and it's been even crazier since. Please stay tuned, though as I have a ton of great tips coming up.

Some of you have emailed me wondering why I recommend purchasing products either at ebay or a site linked to ebay. There are actually several reasons behind this. First and foremost being that this is a blog about saving time and money. Ebay is a treasure trove of excellent buys and you can get many items there for less than half of what you would pay at a retail store. Second, many people who read this blog don't live in or near a large town with department stores and they must rely on the internet to get what they want. I simply point to a marketplace where you can get the products at the best possible price.

I hope these solutions will help you and as always, please feel free to comment your thoughts.

Stay tuned...

Weekly or Biweekly Deep Conditioning Hair Mask

2006-12-13T21:16:00.000-08:00

During this time of the year it is a good time to add a weekly or biweekly deep conditioning hair mask to your beauty regimen.

The reason you need it is to combat the effects of dry weather, prevent damage and split ends.

Normal to oily hair types are having luck with Rusk Sensories Moist Sunflower and Apricot Creme Treatment.

Normal to dry hair types are having the best luck with Biolage Conditioning Balm with Rosemary or Neutrogena's Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask.

Adding any of the above to your weekly treatment will keep your hair soft, shiny and prevent the dreaded "split ends" of winter.

Until next time...

Time Gets Away And The First In A New Series of Tips

2006-12-06T19:53:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!

My how time gets away from you. Shortly after my last post, my husband had a 4 wheeler accident and I spent a lot of time doing what I could to help him recover. (He's lucky to be alive)

Then, just as he was pretty much healed, he started having chest pain and he's been having to go through a bunch of tests to determine if it's his heart or something else. He's really too young to be having heart trouble, but we all know it can hit at any age.

Anyhow, I've come up with a new series of tips that will hopefully keep your skin soft, smooth and supple during the dry winter season. I'll share the first one today.

To help keep your face smooth and supple, try using a less drying facial cleanser and a thicker moisturizer.

The reason you need a less drying cleanser is that your skin produces less oil in dry, cooler weather and deep cleansers will dry out your skin. Try finding a cleanser that has a milk or cream base for ultra softness.

You'll want a thicker moisturizer since there is less humidity in the air and your skin turns naturally drier. Lotions just don't offer the level of moisture you need for winter so you'll want something that is a cream or an ointment.

To keep this short, I'll break them up into days. I'll be posting the rest daily.

Take care, until next time....

Melissa

Cool Home Remedy To Clear Up Stress Induced Breakouts

2006-09-22T17:28:00.000-07:00

Stress seems to be a common fact of life in today's society and is one of the main causes for blemish breakouts.

To help combat the problem and calm your skin, try this quick home remedy.

Puree a half of a small tomato, 1/4 cup of fresh parsley and about a teaspoon of lemon juice in a blender.

Apply the mixture to your face and let sit for about 10 minutes and rinse with warm water.

The mildly acidic properties of lemon and parsley seem to neutralize the fatty secretions that can cause acne breakouts. The lycopene from the tomato boosts the immune system to help heal the skin.

I've been trying this on some of my teenage clients and it seems to be working for many of them. There is no rule as to how often to use the mixture, but I've been recommending once a day for the first 3 days then as often as needed.

Since it seemed to be working for a few clients, I thought I would share it with all of you.

Until next time...

You Can Delay Salon Visits With The Right Shampoo

2006-09-21T18:05:00.000-07:00

There is an old rule of thumb that hair should be cut every six weeks to maintain health, get rid of split ends, etc.

Stylists everywhere are beginning to admit that you can actually wait 12 weeks or more as long as your hair remains healthy or isn't too long for your style.

This is not for everyone as some people have naturally dry hair and are more prone to split ends and "dead" looking hair. Every 4-6 weeks usually works well for those with dry hair.

However, if you really want to lengthen the time between cuts - buy shampoo for dry hair, regardless of the type of hair you may have.

Moisturizing shampoos and conditioners for dry hair have more emollients that coat and protect the hair shaft than other types of shampoos.

This extra strength helps you to have far fewer broken strands and split ends.

Unless you just favor them, there is no need to spend the extra money on salon quality products. There are many quality shampoos in the retail market. Simply choose one you like and see if you can save some money by extending the time between cuts.

Dandruff - It's Not What You Think

2006-08-27T06:19:00.000-07:00

I ran across a recent article in a publication that just blew me away. I was like everyone else and thought that dandruff was caused by a dry scalp or flaking skin. Part of that is true, but did you know that it's really caused by STRESS?

Who would have thought?

Here's an excerpt from the article:

"Dandruff is a warning sign that your body is unhappy about something. A chemical reaction triggered by stress speeds up the process of flaking skin at the scalp, which is what dandruff is. Most suceptible scalps: Those that are excessively oily, not dry as is commonly believed. Dandruff scales are actually flakes of skin secured by oil. Cure: Apply any antidandruff lotion and avoid harsh dandruff shampoos."

This was news to me and I figured it would be to all of you, so I thought I would share it. No wonder it seems that the Fall season is when most people have it. There's so much stress with Back-To-School and the Holidays that it just makes sense that Fall and Winter are the most common times to have dandruff. I was like everyone else and thought it was just because the skin was dry.

So the perfect dandruff cure... Reduce the stress in your life.

Until next time...

Melissa

Summer Perfumes

2006-07-31T20:31:00.000-07:00

The best perfumes for women to wear in the summer or even the office are those with lighter scents. This is especially true for those with dry skin. Why? Dry skin makes any perfume more pungent. You will want to avoid Oriental scents such as musk and heavy jasmine as they are too strong for this time of year.

Another tip is to stock up on your toiletry basics. Your personal items that are essential in your life, like shaving cream, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, etc. are items that you should keep at least one extra of on hand for a backup supply. These items are usually inexpensive and have the power to completely ruin your day if you run out of any of them before the day gets started.

Sorry To My Readers

2006-07-29T12:26:00.000-07:00

I just have to say that I'm very sorry to all of my loyal readers for not keeping this blog updated over the last several months. I have been very limited on time lately as we acquired a new puppy shortly after my last post in February and we had our first niece the next month. The puppy has finally started to behave and not require every spare minute of my time (lol) and my sister-in-law doesn't require babysitting services near as often as she did when she first had her.

Seriously, I've enjoyed raising the puppy and spending as much time as possible with my new niece, but it's time to get back to work. Thanks so much for your patience and I look forward to supplying you with a lot more good information in the coming weeks.

Until next time...

Melissa

The Best Clothing Looks - Accent the Positive, Eliminate the Negative

2006-07-29T12:13:00.000-07:00

There are many strategies that us women use to minimize figure flaws during the summer season. Here are just a few listed below:

If you are top heavy - Wear tunics that glide over the problem areas. V-necked blouses help to make the shoulders and bosom appear smaller. As far as bathing suits, choose a diagonal wrap one piece bathing suit in contrasting colors. This concentrates the eye on the suit itself instead of the body. Blousy tops that are gathered at the waist also help to minimize this shape as well.

If you are a little chunky - To suggest curviness, wear nipped in waists and eye catching belts. Choose dresses that have a dropped waist and one piece bathing suits with vertical or diagonal stripes. These characteristics in clothing combined will help you look slimmer.

If you are bottom heavy - Choose pants that end below the knees to show shapely calves and classic pantsuits that fall smoothly in a straight line without pleats or cuffs. Vertically striped wraparound dresses and one piece bathing suits with a colorful bra top and darker color below really do help to minimize this body shape.

These are just a few clothing tricks that my friends and I have tried with quite a bit of success. I hope they can help you too.

#1 Frizz Solution From Hair Exposed To Humidity

2006-02-28T16:37:00.000-08:00

Spring is just around the corner and with it comes showers and thunderstorms and depending on where you live, humidity.

Frizz is the number one hair problem when the air is humid. You can smooth it out with a straightening iron and an hour later it might look like you haven't even combed it.

The best solution is an old tried and true product that has stood the test of time and for many is an old friend. Good old Alberto VO5 Sheer Hairdressing.

Simply add a small dollop to wet or dry hair to smooth away the frizzies, add shine and as an added bonus, you'll have just the right amount of hold for your style.

Be sure not to use too much as hair will look greasy. A drop the size of a pea will do.

Easy Fixes For Winter Hair & Skin

2006-02-06T20:41:00.000-08:00

Winter poses a problem for most people concerning their hair and skin. Below you will find solutions for some of the most common problems.

Have alligator skin?

The solution is a milk bath product. It contains a lactic acid to soften and smooth your skin. To treat: As your bath water is running, pour in 2 cups of powdered milk and swirl with your hands until dissolved and soak for 15 minutes.

Flaky Skin?

The solution is an avocado mask. Avocado is rich in nourishing antioxidants that prevent premature aging. To Treat: Simply mash 1/2 of an avocado and mix in 1 egg white. Smooth on face, let sit for 20 minutes and rinse.

Brittle Hair?

Use and almond oil conditioning treatment. Almond oil contains a natural emollient that strengthens hair. To treat: Using a clean paintbrush, dab almond oil over bottom third of hair; let sit 15 minutes, rinse, then shampoo and condition as usual.

Rough Hands?

Use a yogurt and lemon hand treatment. Yogurt is full of gentle AHA's to boost your skin's health and softness. To treat: Mix the juice of 1/2 a lemon with 6oz. plain yogurt. Apply to hands, let sit for 10 minutes and rinse.

Cracked Lips?

The solution is a honey oat mask. Honey's humectant properties trap and seal moisture while oats gently slough off the flakes. To Treat: Mix 2 tsp. honey with enough oats to make a paste over lips. Leave on one minute, then remove the mixture with a damp warm washcloth.

I hope these tips will help you overcome winter skin problems.

10 Second Secrets to Salon Perfect Hair

2005-12-14T16:31:00.000-08:00

Our hair doesn't always want to cooperate with us and will sometimes send us running
for our Bad Hair Day hat to cover it up. I've assembled a few quick fixes for some of the most common and frustrating problems.

When you want to sculpt your cheeks and accentuate your eyes, the secret is to add a little volume at the back of the crown only. Too much volume at the front hairline takes the focus off the face and directs it to the hair. To achieve this simply part the front two inches of your hair as usual and brush the rest backward. Wrap the back-brushed hair around the barrel of a large round brush and blast it for five seconds with cool air from your blow dryer. Then just spritz with hairspray and you're set for the day.

If the waves you set in the morning tend to become limp by lunchtime, keep a mineral
water spritzer in your purse. Just mist, then scrunch with your fingers. The mineral water will "break" the hydrogen bonds in each strand that give hair its flexibility so it can be reset with the simply scrunching action. As hair dries, the bonds reform and seal in your waves.

To make split ends instantly disappear, spritz a large round hairbrush with hairspray, roll the ends of dry hair under and hit it with a blast of heat from your blow dryer. Repeat working your way around the head. Thanks to brushes that have 360 degree bristles, spritzing the brush - rather than the strands - enables the sray to coat hair from all angles. Which, in turn, slicks down frayed cuticles for a perfectly polished look.

Make dull hair shiny by running a silk scarf over your strands from roots to ends.
Positively charged particles from the scarf will transfer to your hair, where you'll end with a sleek shine.

Time And Money Saving Beauty Tips

Announcement

Tips To Repair Sun Damage

Olive Oil for Soft Hands

Olive Oil For Youthful Skin

Lift A Sagging Neck

Simple Trick To Save Broken Lipstick

Chocolate Lovers - Good News!

Salon Perfect Hair After Cut

Home Skin Remedies

Cheryl Tiegs Unbelievable Review

Home Skin Remedies

Finding the Perfect Eye Cream

Turn To Nature For Beautiful Skin

Weekly or Biweekly Deep Conditioning Hair Mask

Time Gets Away And The First In A New Series of Tips

Cool Home Remedy To Clear Up Stress Induced Breakouts

You Can Delay Salon Visits With The Right Shampoo

More Home Remedies For Common Problems

Dandruff - It's Not What You Think

Summer Perfumes

Sorry To My Readers

The Best Clothing Looks - Accent the Positive, Eliminate the Negative

#1 Frizz Solution From Hair Exposed To Humidity

Easy Fixes For Winter Hair & Skin

10 Second Secrets to Salon Perfect Hair