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!

Spring/Summer Fashion Trends 2013

I was looking around for some Spring and Summer trends and of course I had to go to the source of all major fashion trends: the UK. I found a lot of great things, so I thought I would share. The Telegraph in the UK is a great source for all things fashion.

 

Black and white checkers are trending big. Black and white is always a classic look, and this combines the colors with a fun pattern.

 

Frills are being seen all over the place. This is a fun and girly trend.

 

Bomber jackets are great and they provide some ultra-cute layering opportunities.

 

Low heels are another big trend that you will be seeing. These are feminine yet comfortable. Finally a break for your poor feet!

 

 

Front-slit skirts. These skirts provide a little 'oomph' to a plain old pencil skirt. They are often classy enough to be worn during the day in the office, too.

 

Striped skinnies are also making their way to the runways. These are very flattering and super cute. They can be paired with a plain top if you are not ready for a pattern overload.

 

 

White tuxedo jackets provide another great opportunity to layer the outfit. They provide a sexy spin on a classic manly staple.

 

I want to hear from YOU! What do you think of these trends? Are they something that will be making their way into your closet, or something that is best left on the runway? 



Natural Baking Soda Blackhead Remover

Blackheads are the worst. They are stubborn and terribly ugly. They annoy me so badly, that I am willing to do almost anything to get rid of them. I have tried those Biore pore strips and they don't really work that well for me.

Since I have been into the natural DIY beauty products lately, I decided to try out this DIY blackhead scrub. I figured it was worth a shot since I had both ingredients in my home already. I tried it out, and I love it! The lactic acid in the milk and the acid-neutralizing alkalinity in baking soda clears out the pores and slightly exfoliates.

Take 1 tbsp of baking soda and 1/4 cup of milk and mix well. Rub this into blackhead prone areas, rinse and repeat as needed.

The Perfect Glow for Spring!

I love getting a nice "glow" on during the Spring. This is the time when I start bringing out the capris, tank tops, and flip flops from the back of my closet. Because of this change in wardrobe, I really like to avoid looking like a ghost. I want to look nice and not scare anybody while walking outside (picture Edward from Twilight). Since I'm showing a little more skin, I want the skin to look nice and bronzed.

The dangers of tanning in a tanning bed scare me, so that's out of the question. I've tried sunless tanning lotions before and they turn out orange-looking and fake. This is why I like Glow Job. It's infused with tiny bronzer beads that burst as you rub it into your skin. It gives a hint of color without looking super-saturated.

Cinda B Handbags Make a Fashion Statement

No matter your personal style, many women choose to stand out with their choice in handbags. It's an easy, fun, inexpensive way to change up any outfit. Instead of investing in many different colored tops, go with a neutral color pallet and mix things up with a colorful handbag.

Want to really make a statement with your handbag? Go for a mix of texture and color to give your outfit the ultimate pizazz. I usually splurge on one item per year, and that usually ends up being a handbag or pair of fabulous shoes, what girl doesn't love them? Have fun during the Spring season with bright colored blue, pink and white Cinda B Handbags. Or go with fun prints and textures with Jessica Simpson cross body handbags. Either way, your outfit will have a pop of color!