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How to guides, tutorials, and step-by-step directions. Beauty tips and hacks for the best mascara application, How to correctly use Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat, How to clean makeup brushes, How to use a mascara fan brush, etc.

How to Look Wide Awake with MAC Eyeshadow in Yogurt

January 6, 2017 · 12 Comments

LOOKING BRIGHT-EYED & WIDE AWAKE WITH MAC COSMETICS EYESHADOW IN YOGURT

SUMMARY: A brightening, go-to neutral base that is prettier than beige and taupe shadow bases, MAC Eyeshadow in the shade Yogurt gives a wide awake look to the eye and cancels out lid darkness. Does not appear pink upon application.

USE MAC COSMETICS EYESHADOW IN YOGURT TO BRIGHTEN TIRED EYES

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT MAC COSMETICS EYESHADOW IN “YOGURT.”

QUICKLY LOOK WIDE AWAKE: THE POWER OF SHELL PINK
If you look tired because you are 1) indeed tired or 2) due to dark circles/eyelids, pale pink eye products can brighten up the eye and make you appear wide awake.

This concept works with a shell pink based concealer, rimming the waterline with a shimmery pink pencil. Shell pink also works wonders lifting the eye with browbone highlighter like Benefit High Brow Eyebrow Highlighter, and of course, shell pink as an eyeshadow.

IN SEARCH OF THE RIGHT PALE SHELL PINK EYESHADOW
Finding a good pale shell pink can be a challenge. The wrong shade of pink can make eyes look puffy and irritated. Some pinks look too “Katy Perry/Barbie Doll” for situations you are expected to be adulting, like job interviews and other non-sparkly occasions. And some pale pink shadows are specifically geared towards tired eyes but are very chalky and too pale. So we were elated to find the very blendable MAC shadow shade Yogurt, it is a go-to product for looking wide awake in no time.

ABOUT MAC COSMETICS EYESHADOW IN YOGURT

COLOR: MAC Yogurt is a matte soft pink, no sheen or shift. It is blue based but not lavender or lilac. A prettier and more flattering neutral than a beige, taupe or brown, it very useful for pale skin tones with darkness around the eye.

TEXTURE: Blendable and not chalky, but with a few caveats:

Be cautious when applying over a shadow primer or foundation that your base is dry. Otherwise, it can make this shade look cakey, depending on your eyeshadow brush.
Apply sparingly; this does not require multiple layers, one layer does it. Be especially sparing on the inner corners of the eye, this is the only area I found I had some creasing sometimes.
I’ve used my Beauty Blender to smooth and buff out this shadow on my lid for a sheer finish.

I do however find MAC’s Yogurt to be the least cakey or chalky and the most natural looking of the pale pink shadow bases geared towards giving a wide-awake eye look.

FINISH: Matte and clean, fairly blendable. No shimmer, not cakey. Not glittery or Barbie-like, this is an elegant pink, soft and subtle. The pinkness is not detectable as pink once applied, it seems just like a neutral base.

FALLOUT: I did not get any fallout with use, it wore all day over an eyeshadow primer or foundation.

USE: MAC Yogurt Eyeshadow works great for:

A highlight on the brow, but I use it for an all over the lid up to the browbone base.
For a quick eye look, I use this and just something for definition above my brow crease, maybe even a quick swipe of my blush. It is a basic neutral that compliments most colors.
If you have undereye circles and dark lids, this cancels the darkness nicely without using lots of heavy (cakey and aging) concealing product.
As it is matte, it is suitable for daytime (read work/office) use and as a base for a full range of eye looks, ranging from simple to flashy.
Useful for deep set eyes to bring them forward without using a glitter or shimmery shade around the eye.
For a no fuss/no-makeup look where you still want to look wide awake.

SIMILAR PRODUCTS OR DUPES

MAC Yogurt Eyeshadow is a more blendable, less chalky dupe of TRISH MCEVOY Deluxe Eye Shadow in Shell, but warmer and more natural in tone.

MAC Yogurt is matte, Estée Lauder ‘Pure Color Envy’ Defining Wet/Dry Eyeshadow in Cheeky Pink has shimmer and is a more coppery-peach of a pink.

MAC Vapour Eyeshadow is similar but has less pigment and is shimmery.

WHO WEARS IT BEST:

Best suited for those who wish to make the eye look brighter, rested and wide awake.

WHERE TO BUY

Yogurt eyeshadow is just $6 if you buy the pan refill, $16 in the pot.

Find it at MacCosmetics.com.

HOME SPA TOOLS: Utilyze 10-in-1 Professional Manicure & Pedicure Set

December 9, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Well-groomed nails are an important part of your beauty and style routine. But regular salon manicures are time-consuming and costly. While some salon service results cannot be duplicated as well when done at home, a quality manicure & pedicure set makes an at-home manicure an easy job to do yourself. A professional set we like is the Utilyze Professional 10-in-1 Manicure & Pedicure Set.

Utilize 10-in-1 Professional Manicure & Pedicure Set

ABOUT THE SET
In addition to the main unit, the set comes with six attachment heads and a detectable protector shield. There is a zipper pouch case to hold all the pieces together safely. The unit itself has a detachable cold LED light that makes it easy to see the areas to work, especially for toes. The adaptor has a spiral cord that makes it easy to maneuver while in use. There is an on/off switch and the attachment heads snap in quickly and securely.

TECHNICAL FEATURES:
* Progressive 10-Speed Motor with easy-access (+) and (-) buttons
* Touch Control one-handed on/off switch
* Clockwise and Counter-Clockwise Rotation
* Over-Pressure Auto Stop Sensor (safe for diabetics or those with sensitive skin healing disorders)
* LED light

Utilize 10-in-1 Professional Manicure & Pedicure Set

MY EXPERIENCE USING THE UTILYZE PROFESSIONAL 10-in-1 MANICURE & PEDICURE SET

COMFORTABLE TO USE
The unit was easy to use, and none of the attachments were uncomfortable or painful to use, and the buffer did not feel too warm or harsh on the nails. The pressure of each head was effective but comfortable.

FAST BUT SAFE
These are professional grade and work very quickly. I like the Over-Pressure auto stop, so I don’t press down too hard and damage the nail or skin, and it is very useful if your hand accidentally slips and you unintentionally use the file on healthy skin. I slipped while using it once, and it stopped automatically, which is a nice feature.

NO OVERBUFFING
A problem I have had with some nail files and buffers is they over buff the nail, leaving it weak and damaged. My nails felt strong after using this unit.

TIP: When using each attachment head, remember to keep the unit or your fingernail in motion so as not to over-file or buff any one area, especially when using the sander, the rough shaping disk, and the cone attachments.

AN OVERVIEW OF USING THE ATTACHMENT HEADS

The SAPPHIRE CALLUS SANDER is for treating thick calluses and hardened skin on feet and hands. It is not too scratchy but gets the job done without irritation on any hardened, rough skin such as on the heels of the feet. It is much easier and faster to use this sander attachment on feet than to use a traditional pumice stone and the results are far better.

Utilize 10-in-1 Professional Manicure & Pedicure Set Sapphire Callus Sander

The FELT POLISH CONE smooths and polishes the nails, similar to a nail buffer. What I especially like about this cone is it gives a beautiful natural shine and surface to the nails, but it does not over-buff or burn. I have damaged my nails with other buffers that are too abrasive; this just gives a nice even surface and sheen to the nail without damaging the nail itself. Suitable for use by both men and women, nails can have a light natural, healthy sheen or a high-gloss shine if preferred.

Utilize 10-in-1 Professional Manicure & Pedicure Set Felt Polishing Cone

The CYLINDRICAL MILLING CUTTER grinds down thick nails, including very thick toenails that regular nail scissors or clippers cannot cut. This head is also useful for those with medical problems that make cutting the nail ill-advised, including diabetes.

The FLAME MILLING CUTTER removes ingrown toenails.

Utilize 10-in-1 Professional Manicure & Pedicure Set Sapphire Callus Sander Felt Polishing Cone Flame Milling Cutter

Utilize 10-in-1 Professional Manicure & Pedicure Set Flame Milling Cutter

There are two round flathead disks; these are shaping disks for the actual filing and shaping of the nails:

The FINE SAPPHIRE SHAPING DISK files and smooths nails. I used this to file down my nails to an even length, remove snags, and to shape my nails. This disk works fast! Make sure to pay attention, this is NOT like absent-mindedly filing your nails with an emery board type of file, it only takes a few runs over the nail to get it into shape.

This is probably my second favorite attachment head because some of my nails recently broke short and snagged so I am cutting them shorter for a while until they grow strong and longer. This disk-shaped my uneven nails very quickly into a smooth, even shape without snags or peeling layers. I also like that it is easy to groom and shape both sides of the nail evenly on both hands by myself, which is a much more professional look than I can achieve on my own with a manual four in one buffer like I usually used.

Utilize 10-in-1 Professional Manicure & Pedicure Set Sapphire Callus Sander Felt Polishing Cone Flame Milling Cutter Fine Shaping Disk

Utilize 10-in-1 Professional Manicure & Pedicure Set Fine Shaping Disk

The ROUGH SAPPHIRE SHAPING DISK trims and shortens thick nails. This shaping disk is very useful for men who wish to keep thicker nails in presentable condition, as well for women who want to file down their nails before growing them out long and healthy. This disk is also a very quick working file to remove nail length quickly and evenly without causing shreds or breaking. TIP: For both disks, try to keep the nail towards the outer edge of the circle so as not to hit the nail on the center of the head.

I used this attachment on my toenails to shape them evenly. I liked that they were rounded and shaped in a more professional and prettier way than I could do with nail scissors or cuticles and filing with an emery board.

Utilize 10-in-1 Professional Manicure & Pedicure Set Rough Shaping Disk

The SAPPHIRE CONE is used to remove hard and dry skin. I used it around my nail on overgrown, dry cuticles and some rough skin on the sides of my nail. As seen in the video, it quickly sands down dry skin into a fine powder that can washes off clean. My skin was not red or irritated after use and almost all of the dead skin was removed with irritation or skin damage.

The DETACHABLE PROTECTOR can be used with any attachment head to catch the dead skin or nail debris. I found this particularly useful with the dead skin removal attachment heads so as not to have a fine powder of removed skin dispersed into the air.

Utilize 10-in-1 Professional Manicure & Pedicure Set Sapphire Cone & Detachable Protector

MY STANDARD MANICURE & PEDICURE PREP WITH THE UNIT
I used the Fine Sapphire Shaping Disk and the Felt Polish Cone to prep for a nail polish change or to leave my nails bare. For toenails and fingernails that have become very misshapen, I use the Rough Sapphire Shaping Disk first, then the Fine Shaping Disk and Felt Polish Cone. On toes, I also do a quick treatment with the Sapphire Cone attachment to remove any dead skin, especially on the big toes.

CONCLUSION: Unkempt nails are distracting and unattractive. My DIY manicure skills are not great; the professional results look so much better. Using the Utilyze Professional Manicure & Pedicure Set to file and groom nails into a presentable shape and healthy buffed condition quickly, safely and easily makes nails look so much nicer on both men and women. I like the high-gloss sheen on my nails, even now while I am growing them out, it takes only a few minutes to care for my fingernails and even less time for my toenails. My nails are shiny and smooth and look lovely with or without nail polish!

Find this great set at http://www.utilyzeproducts.com.

I received this product in exchange for my unbiased review and received compensation for my time and effort. However, my experience with the product and the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine.

How to Drink More Water: THE COLDEST WATER BOTTLE

October 4, 2016 · Leave a Comment

BEAUTY & WATER:
One of the best beauty-enhancing daily habits you can have is to drink lots of water. It keeps your skin glowing and unclogged of toxins; it gives you energy, and it helps manage weight gain. You really can’t beat the dewy glow from being well-hydrated. This is not news by any means, but it is worth discussing because accomplishing this basic beauty habit is easier said than done: guzzling your daily water intake can seem unappealing when compared to drinking delicious coffee and sugary beverages.

But it is a worthwhile beauty goal. According to a recent study, 20% of women that drank 1.5 liters of water daily saw a reduction in wrinkles after six weeks. In another study, people reported clearer skin and less acne within a week of drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day. So how much water should you drink and what can help make that water appealing enough to meet your water consumption goal?

HOW MUCH WATER TO DRINK?
There are various opinions on how much water one should consume daily. For the sake of your skin, it is typically 4-5 glasses a day. This is the amount needed for your organs to function properly and remove toxins from your body, including the skin. This amount also helps with clearing acne. The amount of water required varies a bit from person to person based on your weight and other health issues. As a general guide, you are hydrated enough if your urine is a light wheat color. If not, you are dehydrated, whether you feel thirsty or not.

To avoid dehydration, keep sipping water throughout the day.

THE COLDEST WATER BOTTLE: HOW TO MAKE IT A DAILY WATER DRINKING HABIT APPEALING
Some people like to add a slice of lemon or infuse their water with fruit. This is helpful to make your daily water intake taste more appealing. But the biggest aid to making daily water consumption easier is often the temperature of the water: chilled water is energizing and refreshing, especially after a workout or on a hot day. Cold water is just easier to drink. It is also helpful for burning extra calories: your body burns more calories with cold water than drinking tepid, warm or hot water.

The Coldest Water Bottle is an easily portable water that keeps water at a cold temperature, providing access to icy-cold water that stays at an even cold temperature all day. It is not just a water bottle with an ice core center insert that keeps the water cooler inside the bottle. The Coldest Water Bottle keeps water at a constant ICE COLD temperature for up to 25 hours, and any ice in the bottle stays in ice form during that time.

THE COLDEST WATER BOTTLE

CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN
Made of stainless steel, it is a long-lasting, quality water bottle that does not need to be frequently replaced like plastic bottles. It uses double wall insulation with materials designed to keep water cold for more than 25 hours with no sweating. It floats in oceans and pools and its 99% of cup holders, so you have no excuse NOT to get your daily water intake. BPA and toxin free, it is safer than other water bottles that can quickly harbor bacteria (and odor) within its’ plastic walls.

It is made for athletes but is suitable for any environmentally conscious person who wants to carry cold water with them throughout the day or for a late-day workout. The Coldest Water bottle is intended for lifetime use.

PUTTING COLDEST WATER BOTTLE TO THE TEST
THE PROBLEM: The gym I belong to has ice-cold bottled water chilled in a vending machine for $2.50 a bottle, and each pilates class or gym session I would typically need two of these 12-ounce bottles. And sometimes after a particularly busy class, the vending machine runs out of water entirely. I tried to bring my bottled water, but I wanted the *COLD* water during and after my workout. The problem is, I go to the gym after work, so if I bring water from home, it would have to stay cold for about 11 hours by the time I get to the gym.

TESTING THE COLDEST WATER BOTTLE: Turns out, the Coldest Water Bottle keeps water cold for a very long time, it keeps water cold all day and keeps a full bottle cold for a late-day workout. The ice cubes stay as ice cubes; they don’t substantially melt. I filled the bottle with ice cubes and cold water from the tap at around 7 A.M. Ten hours later the ice was still in ice cube form with no melting or “sweating.” In the meantime, the bottle sat in the warm car without the benefit of air conditioning. When I drank my water at the gym, almost twelve hours later, it was still ice cold! Pretty impressive. The leftover ice stayed unmelted afterward until I dumped it out when I got home that night, a few hours after my workout, probably hour 16 at that point. Very nice!

CONCLUSION: A sturdy, well-constructed water bottle, just fill it with water and ice and go. Carrying a Coldest Water Bottle will remind you to drink water and keep track of how much you are drinking. It is the perfect bottle for athletes, Mom’s with thirsty kids, campers, beach-goers, or anyone who wants to have access to cold water during the day. I also find it useful for keeping some cold water in a car during the summer to stay hydrated in the case of unexpected delays or emergencies.

The Coldest Water Bottle is an environmentally friendly, cost-effective choice, saving you from buying repeated plastic water bottles. The stainless steel is sturdy without being too heavy to carry in my bag. Since I have had the bottle, I have remembered to bring water with me each day, and it stays ice cold in my bag while I am in transit. The bottle does not leak, so it is safe to put in your backpack or briefcase. The stainless steel naturally is bacteria resistant, which feels cleaner to transport around places like the gym. Since I have had the Coldest Water Bottle, I stay hydrated at the gym, at work, and I haven’t had to buy chilled plastic bottled water when I am out. A very worthwhile investment that saves both the environment and saves money on bottled water costs.

Find this great bottle at TheColdestWater.com

THE COLDEST WATER BOTTLE

How to Infuse Olive Oil: Domestic Corner Precision No Drip Oil and Vinegar Infuser and Dispenser

September 28, 2016 · Leave a Comment

My mother’s side of the family (the Italian side) has been in the food business for six generation. Anytime we’d go out to a restaurant with our grandmother, there was always an analysis of any particularly good dish and how she could duplicate it at home. I remember a time we were enjoying a particularly excellent bread that came with a lemon infused olive oil for dipping. It wasn’t a tremendously pronounced lemon taste. There was no acidity to it at all. Just a light, fresh, slight taste of lemon that did not overpower the taste of the olive oil (if you are using a high-quality oil, then it should taste good on its own merits.) It was simply a co-existing lemon note to the olive note.

Of course, Granny made it better at home.

I have tried to duplicate the recipe, but I have always found dedicated olive oil infusers to be messy, or I have had difficulty pouring out the right amount of oil. Whether it is adding it to a recipe or onto a salad, the right amount of olive oil can make or break a dish. So I am very happy to have found Domestic Corner’s Precision No Drip Oil and Vinegar Infuser and Dispenser.

Domestic Corner Precision No Drip Oil and Vinegar Infuser and Dispenser

First off, this is one good looking dispenser. It is made of thick, high-quality glass and has a Louboutin Red stripe where the dispenser button is located. It is also a generous size: 17 oz, which allows for infusing and dispensing larger quantities of oil. If you use olive oil regularly or are feeding a group, it’s great to be able to infuse and decant either a little or a lot of oil.

Second, it is incredibly easy to measure exactly how much oil you want to use. By pressing the button on the bottle, oil is brought to the measuring chamber at the top. You can see the measurements exactly – teaspoon, tablespoon, even milliliters. From there you can easily and precisely drizzle the oil onto your dish. There is no sputtering or uneven pouring, just a slow, controlled dispensation.

If you are interested in infusing your oil, there are plenty of recipes on the internet, but here is my spin on the lemon-infused olive oil recipe: peel the rind of a lemon in thin strips (ideally a Meyer Lemon, as it will have a lemon taste with less acidity.) Twist the strips gently to extract the lemon oil. Add them to the olive oil and leave it in the oil for 12 hours. It will produce a light, fresh lemon taste without being too tart or overpowering.

Domestic Corner Precision No Drip Oil and Vinegar Infuser and Dispenser

An “off-label” use for this item is for beauty. If you use an oil like Safflower Oil on your skin, this is a fantastic way to dispense the right amount of oil for use without contaminating the rest of the product.

Find it here.

I received this item for testing and review purposes. If you have any questions about my experience with it, leave it in the comments section below, and I’ll do my best to answer it!

Hair Cutting Shears by Marks Gouger

August 9, 2016 · Leave a Comment

I like to keep my hair in optimal condition, and I’m a firm believer in regular trims to keep hair looking healthy. Since my hair grows very fast (I’m not complaining), going to the salon for trims would be quite costly, so I learned to trim my hair myself. The one absolute necessity for at-home hair trims: a fantastic, top of the line set of cutting shears.

Marks Gouger just launched an amazing set of hair tools, and I was eager to try their cutting shears since my previous set had been getting less precise. I am thrilled with this new set.

Hair Cutting Shears by Marks Gouger

The shears come packaged in a lovely case. The case keeps the shears from getting damaged. I like that there are multiple points to keep the shears from moving in the case: a snap to keep them in place, as well as a well-crafted sleeve for the pointed edge. It also comes with a soft cloth to clean the sheers after each use.

Hair Cutting Shears by Marks Gouger Case

The Japanese Stainless Alloy is a strong and sturdy material that makes the shears feel substantial but lightweight. The shears are easy to maneuver. The handles are comfortable even when I’m trimming at odd angles, which makes the task a lot easier and faster.

Hair Cutting Shears by Marks Gouger

I am very enthused about the adjustable tension hinge. The problem with my last pair of shears was that the hinge came loose and made precision cuts difficult. With the ability to adjust the tension, I’m comfortable that I won’t have any goofs due to the shears being unstable.

One of my favorite uses for these shears is trimming off split ends all the way up the hair shaft. Splits don’t just happen at the absolute end of your hair, they occur all the way up. The way I take care of that is by taking very small sections, twisting the length of the section tightly, and then trimming off the splits and frays that occur all the way up. This technique does indeed take a lot of time if you have a lot of hair like I do, but hair looks so much better if you take the time to do it! The cut is quick and precise. If you have a blunt cut or blunt bangs that you trim yourself, these are the perfect shears!

Here is a video of how I trim splits:

Find them at Amazon.com.

I received this product in exchange for testing and review purposes. If you have any questions about my experience with it, leave it in the comments section below, and I’ll do my best to answer it!