Tips for Cleaning Your Make-Up Brushes

I've been noticing lately that my make-up brushes have gotten pretty gross. They are full of make-up and grime....yuck! I've also recently learned that letting old make-up build up in your brushes can cause pimples and even allergies.

To search for some great tips, I turned to Pinterest and was hooked up to this website full of great tips! This means that I cannot take credit for this picture or the following information:

3 great ways to clean the make-up brushes:

1. Use shampoo. You can use a more gentle shampoo such as baby wash. You can also add 2-3 drops of tea tree oil to intensify the anti-bacterial properties.

2. Another option is to use alcohol. Fill up a spray bottle with 99% alcohol and spray it on the brush. Wipe clean with a paper towel.

3. A third option is to make a solution with 1 cup of oil-free makeup remover, 1 cup of mild facial cleanser, and 3 cups of water. Dunk and swirl your brushes in this solution for three minutes. Rinse under running water and wipe dry.

The Best Place to Find Black Handbags Online

Online shopping is the way to go. There are no long lines, no pushy people trying to get past you, no crabby salespeople, and a lot of times you can find better prices. With online shopping, you save a ton of time because you can search one place for a bunch of things instead of going in and out of several different stores. My favorite is when there's free shipping included in the purchase. :)

Lately, I've been finding some great black handbags online. I found a site with discounted bags and I love their selection. I've been looking for some cute black handbags as I noticed the other day that I don't have a single one! I have all sorts of colors, but everybody needs at least one black handbag. It's classic and traditional. Black is always in, so it's a fashion staple.

A Nail Polish Trick to Make it Last Longer

I love to paint my nails. This really makes me sound like a "girly girl" and I don't care. It's fun to sport different colors to coordinate with my outfits. I use nail polish as an accessory and have quite the collection going. 

The worst is when nail polish starts chipping off. I can't stand the way it looks and I've tried about every top coat on the market to prevent it from happening. I turned to Pinterest for some ideas and inspiration and I came across this fantastic idea. Take a bottle of vinegar and dip a cotton ball in it. Swipe it over the un-painted nail and allow it to dry. Apply the nail polish as you normally would. I still recommend a topcoat to ensure it's longevity. Let me know your results! 

Vintage Inspired Jewelry Brought to Your By Orange County Jewelers

Have you noticed your Grandma's old fashioned brooches and pins are coming back in style? Vintage is in my friends, and I'm not sure about you but I'm loving it! My Grandma had quite the style back when and when I was younger I thought it was so gaughty and "unstylish". Now however, I love that I have her vintage pins, jewelry, brooches and even clothing. It's all in style and it's right up my alley. 

There is something about vintage clothing, and jewelry especially, you can tell it's unique. There are so many clothing and jewelry stores, Orange County Jewelers specifically, that are re-creating these old fashioned looks, but they just aren't the same, if you ask me. Because I was left with my Grandma's personal collection I feel it is much more special rather than if I were to pick them up at my local thrift shop.

My favorite brooch of my Grandma's is a gold butterfly with an emerald on it. It's really simple and sleek. When I'm in the mood I just pin it to a scarf or one of my slouch hats. It adds a really cute touch and I feel special wearing it, like my Grandma is with me. Have you worn any vintage items as of lately? Let me know in the comments!

DIY Shaving Lotion

I've been on a serious search lately for DIY beauty solutions. I'm hoping that you've all had chances to try some of these out for yourselves. If you have tried any of these out, what were your thoughts? I love hearing from my readers, so I'm excited to read your comments and responses.

I found a great DIY shaving lotion and am sharing the recipe with you.

You will need:

1 cup conditioner
1 cup shampoo
5 tbsp lotion
5 tbsp baby oil

Mix these ingredients and allow to sit for one hour. Use this next time you shave and see just how soft and smooth your legs get!