Hello Sleeping Beauty

I've got a cheap beauty trick for you that is super important. It isn't always the easiest thing, but it is always FREE!!!

What is it???.......SLEEP dun dun duuun otherwise known as BEAUTY REST!! =)
And for good reason!! Nobody looks good with dull, blood-shot eyes that are all puffy and dark underneith.

While you may never hear "hey there, bright eyes! you sure do look well rested" you sure as heck will here "daaaaang, you look really tired!!!" SO get your sleep!!

Not only will it keep you tip top in the brain dept ~ sleep is the body's natural beauty treatment! Your skin renews itself during this time, your entire body is busy at work renewing cells while your lil head rests away on your pillow!

Here are some tips for getting the best BEAUTY REST possible.....

*...avoid eating snacks right before laying down for bed. they raise blood sugar which can effect how good you sleep.

*...avoid caffiene, even an afternoon cup of coffee can effect you well into the night making it very hard to fall asleep.

*...it is a good idea to get into the habit of winding down about an hour before bed with a hot cup of un-caffeinated tea and a good book (the more boring the better hahaha seriously tho this isn't the time for an intense page turner!) the more you do this your body will start taking hot tea and reading time as a signal for sleep.

*...enjoy a hot shower or bath about an hour before laying down. the spike in body heat and then the cool down will help to make you sleepy.

*...keep your bedroom temp under 70 degrees. too hot = no sleepy sleepy

*...try to keep the same bedtime and the same nightly routine every night, its all about training the body that its time for bed!

*...sleeping in complete darkness will allow you the deepest sleep all night long. wear an eye mask if you need to.

*...turn your alarm clock away from your face if it has the bright red digital numbers or any kind of bright glow. use black electrical tape on anyother lights especially flashing lights on anyother electronic.

*...speaking of electronics...TURN THEM OFF!!! I know this is a super hard one, but one hour before bed turn off the t.v, ipod, computer, phone, ect ect ect they all stimulate the brain making it VERY hard to "turn off" the thinking going on in your head!! the bright glare of the computer screen will trick the mind into thinking it's time to be awake not it's time to go to sleep.

*...keep a notebook by your bed to write down any issues or problems that are on your mind. by putting in on paper you are saying "i'll deal with you later" knowing that you will get to them later will keep you from going over and over and over them in your mind.

hopefully these tips will have you sleeping like a baby and waking up a beautiful more refreshed version of yourself =)

much love & more to come,
Jenny

Cheap Make-Up Finds

I stumbled upon a wonderful find!!!

would you believe i got ALLLL this for under $15?!?

e.l.f make-up and beauty tools (available at Target)

ha ha ha when my 7yr old son saw all my beauty loot he said "i didn't know elves made make-up!!! AWESOME!!" too funny =)

this stuff is super cheap (between $1 & $3) and super nice!! i am picky about my make-up and this line really does feel silky soft and the colors are just as vibrant and beautiful as some high-end products!!

i will def be back for more, but this is what i have purchased so far...

*tinted moisturizer spf 20...it has aloe, cucumber and vits A,C& E and it feels soooo good on and it has surprisingly great coverage for a moisturizer (perfect for summer) $3

*clarifying pressed powder...super silky and perfect for finishing that flawless face $1

*golden bronzer...my new favorite make-up item!!! this has amazing color!perfect sun-kissed glow!! $3

*therapeutic conditioning balm....this is awesome!!! apply all throughout the day for super soft kissers $1

*2 in 1 conditioning gloss.....so pretty and not sticky like um most lip glosses even the expensive ones yuck! $1

*waterproof lengthening & volumizing mascara....i am super picky over my mascara and i am soooo pleased with this one!! no clumps!!! $3

*shimmer eyeliner pencil....omg one of the very best eyeliners i've ever used and for $1. it goes on super smooth, dark and stays allll day!!!

*nourishing cuticle pen with avocado and almond oils.....apply to cuticles and say "ahhh" you will love this stuff too! $1

it's safe to say that i am beyond EXCITED about this make-up line!! i love me some cheap beauty products that is comparable to the pricey stuff!!! more money for shoes =)

go get some......really you will LOVE it!!!

much love & more to come,
Jenny

Wax On ~ Wax Off

Waxin' the brows ~ ~ (ha ha those are the brows)

A good looking set of brows can totally transform the look and shape of your face......hello uni-brow anyone?? ha ha NOT a good look ever!!!

A salon waxing can cost anywhere between 15 and 30 dollars eeeeek!!!
A great way to save some money is to learn to maintain your brows on your own (or your friends and families brows)

Things you will need:

*GiGi
All Purpose Honee
Microwave Formula
Hair Removal System
(available at Sally Beauty Supply for under $20) niceeee!! saves you tons!!!

It is a ready to use in minutes, complete system for gentle, efficient removal of unwanted hair (ha ha I sound like a commercial for it)
It comes with everything you need to do the waxing. You will want to use a pair of sissors to cut strips in to smaller more usable strips when doing brows. You will need to use a big applicator for stirring and a small one for applying.

* You will need a good pair of tweezers for plucking any strays you may miss.

* You will need a steady hand (ha ha)

Get all of the stuff ready and handy before you begin....

start out with a nice clean face....no make-up!!!

(don't tan, hang out in the sun or get really hot water on freshly waxed area for at least 8 hours after any hair removal) ouchie!!!

1st....apply a small dab of the Pre Hun. It is a pre-wax cleanser and will minimize inflammation....pat area dry.

2nd thru 9th or so ha ha......remove cap off of the All Purpose Honee wax...place in the center of microwave...(DON'T overheat)....heat on high power for 30 seconds...using lg applicator gently break the surface of the wax, if it hasn't melted reheat in 15 sec increments until you can stir into a thin/creamy texture....carefully remove jar using handle (ha ha it looks like a birds head) and test a small dab on the back of your wrist to make sure it isn't too hot.....Now the fun begins!!!!

Next....holding the applicator at a 45 degree angle apply a thin layer of wax in the direction of the hair growth...

...place strip over wax and rub strip firmly in the direction of the hair growth.....

...hold skin taut and pull strip off using one quick motion in the opposite direction of the hair growth...

...apply pressure to the freshly waxed area with the cushion of your finger to calm the skin

look at all this hair!!!!

tips...don't wax over-top of an already done area as this can result in the loss of skin.....omg ouch!!!! make sure that when you apply the wax you don't let any little strings of wax into your head of hair..not fun!!!

Once you are done waxing both brows to your liking...remember more can be takin off later, but glueing bald spots on looks pretty funny ha ha...apply a small dab off Wax Off to a cotton ball or a piece of the strip and remove any wax left behind (don't forget that lil test patch on your wrist)

after that...apply Post Wax Concealer to cover redness, sooth and condition skin.

then....to maintain waxing results for longer, smooth on Slow Grow Hair Minimizer.

oh yea and....use your tweezer to pluck away any missed hairs

Don't worry if you mess up a lil' the first go-round, eyebrows grow back really fast ha ha just skip the Slow Grow application....

Ta-Da
After

Happy & A Little Less Hairy =)

bloopers.....before we started I hollered to my neice "hey will you take a before pic of .....'s eyebrow please" ...... hollered back "eyebrow!!! thanks" ha ha sorry (i really did just mean one of her eyebrows not a uni-brow) after we got done.....my brother say's "that wasn't as much fun watching as I thought, I thought you guys would be screaming and crying" ha ha ha niiiice =)

much love & more to come,
Jenny