DIY Beauty Fridays: Homemade Bath Salts

Sigh, I miss hot baths more than I can explain.

I know I can still have baths but they have to be lukewarm, warm at best, and I do miss the scalding hot water, sweating away, while the bathroom steams up and I can barely see in front of me.

One thing that hasn't changed, despite the water temperature, is my fascination with bath salts.  I am usually the first to seek out these relaxing bath additions that come in a multitude of scents and textures.  What's even better than being able to buy them is to make your own!!

Homemade Lavender (or any scent) Bath Salts 

3/4 cup Sea Salt
1/4 cup, plus 2 TBSP, Epsom Salts
2 TBSP Baking Soda
A couple drops of your favorite essential oil (Lavender, Rose, etc)
Food coloring if you want to store it and look pretty

Place all the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix together.  Add the essential oil and food coloring (if you'd like) and stir until evenly distributed.  Place contents in a mason jar to store in the bathroom.  Pour into your bathwater and soak to your heart's content!!

Okay, it's Friday and I am so going to go and have a bath now.  Happy Friday ladies!

    

The Best of YouTube - Fabulous Beauty Vloggers and Videos Worth Watching

I love YouTube.  I find some amazing people, tips and tricks from watching YouTube.

Here are some of my favorite videos and Vloggers!!

What do you watch on YouTube?  Who are your favorites?

    

Anti-Aging Products - Marcelle New Age Precision Review

Marcelle New Age Precision by redlipgloss

If you have not started an anti-aging regime yet, you absolutely have to. Truly, I am the poster child for anti-aging products.  Why, you ask???

Number one, its never too early to start caring for your skin, especially from getting older.  Two, anti-aging products, though more expensive, have added benefits that not only lift and fill in wrinkles but can also even skin tone and brighten.  Three, aging happens to everyone so why not use a product that combats the early effects?  Four, because I said so....ha

I've recently been trying drugstore brands to find a cheaper alternative to my favorite Estee Lauder and Lancome products.  After using the Marcelle New Age Precision line, I can say that I have found the products I've been searching for.  Not only are they less than a third of the price of Estee Lauder or Lancome, but the benefits are almost exactly the same.

First, I bought the New Age 8-in-1 Power Serum which is absolutely amazing.  Finally, a serum that actually works!  It's smoothed out my skin and even the lines on my forehead are less prominent.  I swear by serums and I've used a lot in my day but this one absolutely takes the cake.  I will 100% be buying this over and over again.

Second, I purchased the New Age Precision Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Day Cream and Night Cream.  I love that there are separate creams for both day and night.  Especially for an anti-aging line, there should always be two creams as each one is designed to do something different.  The creams have virtually no smell, which I like, and both are very rich and luxurious.  They blend well into the skin and don't make my skin feel greasy or heavy.

Aside from the results, I love these products because of the price.  Truly, each item is $33.95 CAD online, and might be cheaper in stores, so how can you go wrong???  Try this line out, I'm telling you, you will never purchase another skin care line, ever.  Coming from me, this is a HUGE deal.

PS - Last night, I changed my hair color to a dramatic red AND got bangs.  Here's a sneak peak at the new 'do...

     

Lipstick Haul: The Many Shades of Berry

I am buying lipsticks like crazy right now.

I think it has to do with the fact that in a month and a half, I will be on Mat Leave and will probably not have the money, or time, to so carefully pick many cosmetic items to try.  I guess I am trying to fit it all in now!

I discovered this gorgeous berry tone while looking through old Ipsy Glam Bags and saw that back in November of 2014 (prior to me being a member) members received a gorgeous berry shade lipstick from Forever21.  Now, you all know me enough to know that I would NEVER usually buy lipstick from there but the color was just too beautiful to pass up.

I ordered 3 lipsticks (2 Matte and one Creme), 2 glosses and an adorable owl lip balm.

Check out these colors though!  I am beyond obsessed with berry shades and am really happy to own these especially since they are like $4 a piece.  One thing to note, the creme berry shade does not last as long as the matte shades so I do find I am reapplying that one constantly.

Have you ever bought a beauty product from Forever21?  Which one?

     

Where I've Been This Past Week - In Pictures

All I wanted to do this past week was sit down, relax and write some amazing blog posts.  Instead, I've been tired.....so tired.

And working on our Little Man's room (with Allan, of course, who's been doing all the heavy lifting).

Check this out.

This beautiful work of art was made for little Benjamin by one of my best friends and his "Aunt".  Thank you Auntie Bronwen.

His new crib, pilled high with all the clothes I need to wash for him.

Our new-to-us glider chair.

A bookshelf with too few books and tons of elephants.

My dad's dresser, from when he was a little boy, repainted white.

Not everything is completely ready but we are getting there.  We still have 9 weeks to finish!!

DIY Beauty Fridays: Homemade Eye Cream

I'm at an age where eye cream is an absolute must in your skin care routine!

I did start using an eye cream a long time ago but I do think that starting early and continuing daily use, has made my skin look young and feel firm.  If you haven't started using an eye cream, DO IT and NOW, especially since you can make your own for next to nothing!!

Homemade Anti-Aging Eye Cream

1/2 cup organic coconut oil 

6 - 8 Vitamin E capsules 

Needle to poke the Vitamin E capsules

Microwaveable bowl 

Small container for finished product

Place the coconut oil in the microwaveable bowl and place in microwave for 15 seconds OR heat in small saucepan over the stove until oil is in liquid form.  Pour the liquid oil into the small container.  Poke the Vitamin E capsules with the needle and squeeze product into the container with the oil.  Mix together and place in refrigerator for an hour until oil returns to solid state.  Remove from the fridge.  Use once a day (in the evenings) by dabbing a small amount around the eye area.

Easy, right??  Not only are you saving tons of money BUT your skin is reaping the benefits of the Vitamin E.  Trust me, you will love this stuff.

Happy Friday ladies!

    

Pinterest Find of the Day: Winged Eyeliner Tips

Seriously, I need to perfect this somehow.  There are so many people I know that ALWAYS have the perfect eye makeup on every day.  I wonder, firstly, how much time it's taking them and secondly, how come I still can't do it on myself.

Sigh, one of these days, I'll get it right.

Gorgeous eye liner.  I am so trying this for work tomorrow.

What's your secret to creating the perfect winged liner look?  Anything you can share with me?

    

Boots No7 vs L'oreal: Do Their Anti-Aging Lines Work??

I've been on the hunt for an inexpensive drugstore line that is magic for anti-aging.  I know, I know, I'm asking a lot BUT with all the skin care lines out there, I knew there had to be one that lived up to the hype.

I have so far tested two lines: Boots No7 Protect and Perfect and L'Oreal Youth Code.  The Boots No7 set, as purchased for $45, came with a full size serum, a day cream and a night cream all specifically designed to restore skin's natural radiance and smooth away deep lines and wrinkles.  The Youth Code set, as purchased for $24 (trial size products), came with a foaming cleanser, a serum and a day/night cream all designed to regenerate the texture and appearance of young skin.

After trying both lines, for a period of three weeks each, I much prefer the L'Oreal Youth Code compared to the Boots No7 line.

It not only cleans my skin well but the serum is nice, light, and a little goes a long way.  The cream, though, is absolutely luxurious.  It's goes on so smooth and makes my skin feel so silky.  One down fall to this cream is the lack of sunscreen.  Since the product is used as both a day and night cream, sunscreen is never added.  It does mean you need a separate sunscreen to apply after putting the cream on your skin.

The Boots line worked very well in the beginning but after about 2 weeks, my skin stopped responding to it. The serum is very light but didn't seem to do anything to my skin and the only cream I liked was the night cream.  One plus is the day cream does have an SPF 15 in it which means it's a one stop shop.  Still, though, not my cup of tea.

I am still on the hunt for the best drugstore anti-aging line so stay tuned.  What's your favorite drugstore line??