After Halloween, Don't Toss Your Pumpkin in the Trash, Toss it on Your Face!

It's a shame to throw away all your pumpkin goo as you carve your pumpkin this Halloween. Instead of tossing your pumpkin in the trash, toss it on your face! Use this relaxing and tasty facial mask to really get in the trick or treat spirit. You are about to experience the ultimate treat of the season. No ghost or goblins necessary!

Ingredients:

• half a cup of cooked pumpkin (You will need a piece of the actual pumpkin to do this, I recommend using the lid of the pumpkin.)
• half teaspoon brown sugar
• one teaspoon honey
• one teaspoon milk

1. After you scrape out the stringy part of your pumpkin, set aside a piece of the actual pumpkin. It doesn't have to be too big, just enough for half a cup worth of pumpkin meat.
2. Place the pumpkin in a microwave safe bowl or dish and add one-two inches of water.
   
3. Place the bowl with the pumpkin in the microwave for about ten minutes or until extremely soft.
   
4. Mash pumpkin using food processor or blender. If you don't have one you can try using a fork. You want the pumpkin to have a puree consistency.
5. Add the rest of the ingredients to your pumpkin puree and mix together.
   
6. Apply the mix to your entire face and neck, avoiding your eyes. Relax for 15 minutes while the masks sets in and you inhale the holiday spirit.
7. Rinse with warm water and moisturize as you do normally.

Pumpkin contains several vitamins and antioxidants which helps to give skin a golden glow and soft feel. When pumpkin is no longer in season and you're craving that sensational feel, try Bath & Body Works Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Scrub. It may not be the real deal, but definitely the next best thing.
Happy Halloween!

Don't Let Your Hair Get Dry and Damaged, Use a Home-Made Deep Conditioning Treatment

The beauty world has come up with many new and

improved techniques for styling hair. However,the more straightening we do, curling, coloring and other hair techniques, the more important it is to deep condition and care for our hair. Hair can easily get dried out and damaged from over styling and product build up. Here are some deep conditioning treatments you can do from home every one to two weeks.

It may not be appetizing, but it definitely works! Your hair will be glowing with shine right after your first treatment. The treatments are not only effective, but also affordable, you probably already have most the ingredients at home.

Marvel with Mayo

Ingredients:

• one cup mayonnaise
• half cup olive oil
• three egg yolks

1. Allow all ingredients to adjust to room temperature and then mix them together in a bowl.
2. Wash hair thoroughly and towel dry until damp. While the hair is damp, saturate the mayo mixture through your hair, applying extra saturation on the ends. The ends of the hair tend to be the driest and is where those dreadful "split ends" occur.
3. Bunch your hair together in a large ball and place on the top of your head. Entrap the hair inside a shower cap or you can even use a plastic grocery bag.
4. Run a blow dryer around you head to create more heat and then wrap your head in a towel to trap in the heat. The heat will help open your hair follicles and allow the moisture to sink in.
5. Let the mixture sit for 10-20 minutes.
6. Rinse out the mayo mixture using luke warm water. Do NOT shampoo! Any left over oils will just continue to condition your hair until your next shampoo.

Amazing Avocado

Ingredients:

• one full jar of original mayonnaise
• half of a ripe or over-ripe avocado

1. Mash the avocado using the back of fork until it's soft and creamy.
2. Mix avocado with mayo until the conditioner is all one color and well blended.
3. Work the conditioner through your hair using your fingers, again you'll want to give some extra attention to the ends of your hair.
4. Cover your head with a warm damp towel and allow the hair to relax and recondition for about 20 minutes.
5. Rinse with cold water and enjoy your new soft and glamorous hair.

Hair mask are both easy and fun. Make a party out of it on a girls night in. Make sure to save you left over avocado and make a delicious guacamole dip!

Reach for Something Beautifying in Your Refrigerator

When you crave for something cool and refreshing, where's the first place you look to? You might want to check the refrigerator. There are a variety of at-home creations you can apply to your beauty regime directly from your refrigerator.

*Whenever using any of the following beauty tricks, you'll want to remove any makeup or cosmetics so that you have a clean surface to work with.

Cucumbers
Cucumbers are a classic beauty trick that should not be forgotten.

1. Usea cold cucumber and cut two slices, large enough to cover your eye.
2. Lay down in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Place one slice of cucumber over each eye lid. This will help reduce puffiness and black circles. This is also a great way to relax and rid tiredness. The cucumber aroma is so fresh that you may just be tempted to take a bite.

Cold cucumber slices help shrink eye swelling by constricting blood vessels and in hand, reducing the inflow of fluid to the soft eye tissue. The coldness is what actually helps reduce the dark circles and puffiness. You can also try this approach using damp, cold tea bags.

Milk
Milk does the body good in all sorts of ways. Milk contains essential proteins, amino acids and Vitamin A, all which help to nourish the skin. Milk is very rich in beta-hydroxy acids. The beta hydroxys act as a natural conditioner.

1. Get out one or two cotton balls.
2. Again, make sure your face is already cleansed before doing this.
   
3. Pour some milk into a small bowl and dip the cotton balls into the milk.
   
4. Rub the milk soaked cotton ball all over your face and allow the milk to set on your face for about five minutes.
   
5. After five minutes, rinse the milk off with warm water and pat your face dry with a soft towel.

You know they say nothing goes better with milk than some chocolate chip cookies, so if you have some, you mine as well dig in!

Ice Water
Sounds so simple, but many people overlook its magic. If you've painted your nails and are in a hurry, ice water could be your savior and guide.

1. Fill a large bowl with cold water and a few ice cubes.
   
2. After painting your nails, allow your nails to air dry for one to two minutes.
   
3. After two minutes place your painted fingernails into the bowl of ice water and allow them to sit for three- four minutes.
4. Your nails should be dry in no time and you can be free to do what you please.

I know it might be cold at first, but snuggle in a blanket while your nails dry. It's all worth it for your nails to dry in a total of four minutes rather than the full hour it normally takes nail polish to completely set.

So next time you reach in the fridge make sure to primp yourself with one of my fun beauty tricks.

Can Politics Really Be Beautiful?

Political campaigning for the upcoming presidential election is everywhere, but did it really have to cut into our beauty time? Many new salons and celebrities are endorsing their favorite political figures on a place that is surprising to many of us, their finger nails.

One salon in Pennsylvania is personally painting the candidates facial figures onto fingernails. This special manicure can take as long as an hour to an hour and a half. Check out the video by clicking on the image below.


Depending on your political preference, you can have different candidates on different fingers. Some people may even find amusement by endorsing the opposing opponent of their choice on their middle finger. When it comes to politics, people get heated very easily and look for any means to release their emotions, even if it's on their fingernails.

Music Artist "Eve" was spotted by the paparazzi showing off her political manicure. Celebrities may try to hide their love lives, but they have certainly stood strong when it comes to voting and this years election. Eve shows the camera that she gives presidential candidate Barack Obama a thumbs up.


I wouldn't exactly define the new political nails as trendy or beautiful, but they are fun and certainly patriotic.

People aren't stopping at their nails, some people even attempt to image the candidates! Republican Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin has set a new trend among people who wear eye glasses. Her glasses have not been able to stay on the shelves. The glasses were designed and created by Japanese designer Kazuo Kawasaki. The manufacturer of the trendy frames told ABC News that their phones have been ringing off the hook.

The frames cost about $375 without the lenses. These glam-god glasses have even made large conversation at the prestigious New York's Bryant Park Fashion Week!

This may be a new revolutionary mark for Palin as she makes history both politically and among fashion elite.

Transform Your Bath Room Into Your Very Own Spa And Don't Forget The Bubbles!

Have you ever dreamed of rejuvenating all day at a spa. Well now you can cleanse your mind and body at home right from your tub. Make sure to dedicate at least an hour to relax and enjoy what your about to discover. Pull out your favorite candles and some relaxing music and prepare to pamper yourself.

Here's a ritual usually performed in Turkey and dates back to centuries.
The Turkish Haman
Necessities

• Eucalyptus leaves or oil
• A sponge or loofah
• Mint tea
• Small bowl or deep cup

1. Illuminate the room with either candles or dim lights.
   
2. Close any windows or doors to your bathroom and draw a hot bath. You want it to be too hot enough to fill the room with steam. This will not only help to open your pores, expand your lungs and breathing, while you sink deeper into the ritual.
3. Toss a couple Eucalyptus leaves or few drops of the oil into the bath water.
4. Place two mint tea bags also into the bath water. Make a cup of tea to sip on as you soak, just as the ancient Turks did.
5. Stir up the water with your hand to mix the aroma's, and add a splash of bubbles for extra fun!
   
6. Before getting into the water, make sure your music is on so you don't have to push buttons while wet. Once you're comfortable, take a moment to sink into the moment. Relax your mind and body starting with your toes and consciously directing your limbs and muscles to relax. After about 15 minutes, take a loofah or body sponge and scrub your skin to remove the dead skin cells. The steam from the water will enhance the exfoliating process.
7. Every so often dip your small bowl or cup into the bath water and pour over your neck and shoulders to wash away any stress.
   
8. When you're done, lie back in your steamy eucalyptus retreat and relax, breathing in the moist, mist air.

Another at home-remedy for relaxing and soothing irritated skin requires no other than the classic, Mr. Quaker Oats.
Oatmeal Milk Bath
This is something great to run to when you have an inevitably itchy insect bite, rash or any sort of skin irritation. Doctors often mention using oatmeal baths for baby's with diaper burn or rashes, so fellow moms and mom's-to-be should keep this in mind.

You will need:

• One of the following: blender, food processor or coffee grinder
• Plain Oatmeal
• 1-2 cups of milk

1. Draw a warm bath. If you are doing this for relaxation and pampering rather than a rash, then you can make the bath a little hotter.
2. As the bath fills up, grind one cup to a cup and half of plain Oatmeal using your blender, grinder, or processor. Grind until the oats become a powder.
   
3. At this time you will want to go back to the bath tub with your mixture and one cup of milk (preferably whole milk). Light any candles and prepare to play any tranquilizing music or relaxing cd's you would like to soak to.
4. Pour the Oatmeal powder and the cup of milk into the bath. Stir with your hand a few times to allow the mixture to disburse and the oatmeal to absorb.
5. Be careful getting into the tub! The Oatmeal can make the tub more slippery. Sit back, relax and enjoy a your soak.

When getting out of your Turkish retreat or Oatmeal soak you will feel fresh, rejuvenated and moisturized. It's best to pat your skin softly dry and apply a good moisturizing lotion to maintain what you have just achieved in your at-home spa. Enjoy!

Don't Get Your Hair in a Tizzy! Try Some Easy Technique to Toss Your Hair Up in a Cute & Classy Do!

It's not easy waking up early everyday to work a full shift at work or spend the whole day at school, but whats even worse is trying to find the time early in the morning to do your hair. Florida portrays and even harder obstacle, humidity. Frizzy hair is a battle that many of us just can't win. Sometimes putting your hair in an up-do can be the easiest solution. I know it may seem hard to construct a french twist or a clean bun, but I'm going to share a world full of hair secrets that you can easily accomplish quickly at home.

For a clean cut look...
The Honey Bun

1. Grab the hair in a low pony tail and twist the tail until it tightens all the way to the base of the pony tail.
2. In the same direction you were twisting, wrap the twisted tail around and around the pony base just as a honey bun twist around and around form the cent of the bun. Allow the hair to be a little loose, so you don't look too stiff.
   
3. Using a hair elastic, secure the twisted bun in place. Pull small pieces out of the bun to loosen it up and prevent you from looking like you belong at the ballet.
4. Add some hair accessories to spice up the look, like barrettes, flowers or clips. Forever 21 always has several options for hair accessories, you can visit one of their many location or order offline.
   
5. OPTIONAL: If you want to get really sassy, pull a few strands out of the bun, twist the small strands one by one and individually bobby pin them to the outer edge of the bun. This will give it a more intricate look.

Fun and modern look...
The Twister

1. Start out similar to the Honey Bun, by grasping a low pony tail and twisting the tail until it tightens toward the base of the pony.
2. In the same direction you twisted your hair, lift the pony up against the rest of your hair so the end of the tail is sticking straight toward the ceiling in a vertical line.
   
3. Tuck the about a third of the twisted tail into your body of hair and secure with either bobby pins or a clip. Clips tend to be easier. Allow the remaining hair to hang out of the clip up top the twist.
4. To give it an edgy look, squeeze a small about on hair gel onto the tips of your fingers and apply at the ends of the loose hair to give each strand a more defined and spiked look. You may also achieve the spiked ends with hair spray if more convenient.
   

Try a trendy look...
The Old School Cool
When your really in a rush and hardly even have the time to spare for brushing your hair, there is still a solution.

1. If not with a brush at least brush your fingers through your hair.
2. Pull out a scarf with a cute print, bright color or a headband. Try to pick something that compliments what your wearing that day.
3. It's as simple as that! If you like you can even wear the scarf or band with your hair up in a pony tail. This trend used to be very fashionable in the 1950's and has now come back. All your co-workers and fellow students will be impressed with your fashion forward approach.

Lastly, if it's just one of those days where your hair really needs to be washed and blow dried, but you on a time crunch. Travel back to the 80's decade and sport your "do" to the side.

The Side Swipe

1. Pull your hair in a low pony tail position to one side of your head, just slightly below the bottom of your ear.

PONY OPTION

1. Before placing your side pony tail into a hair elastic, remove a small chunk of hair from the bottom end of the the pony. Secure the rest of your pony tail with the hair elastic, leaving the small chunk of hair out.
2. Take the small chunk and wrap it around the hair elastic, completely covering the elastic. Use a bobby pin to pin the wrapped piece of hair to your head .
   

BRAID OPTION:

1. If you know how to braid, then braid the pony and then place an elastic.
   
2. Pull out some strands of hair around your face to help frame your face and modernize this 80's do.

*For ALL of these clean and trendy hair styles, I highly recommend using a side part rather then a straight middle part, also referred to in the news industry as a "butt" part. I'm sure you can figure out how it got that name.

Pucker up your lips with some easy beauty tips

Have you ever wanted luscious, kissable, soft lips? Of course you do! Lips are one of the most seductive features on the face and often a large focal point as it complements ones speech. As the cold weather starts rolling in, you don't want your lips to feel like dry and rigid sand paper.There are plenty of things you can do from home to really spoof up your lips and prepare them for their next tantalizing kiss.

Keep Lips Moisturized

It's always best to use these moisture treatments before bed, allowing the lips to trap in the moisture and retain it over night.

Vaseline Treatment

1. Wet a face cloth with warm water and place your pointer finger inside the cloth. Slowly rub your lips using your finger inside the warm cloth. This will help to remove any dirt and loose skin.
2. Get out a soft bristle toothbrush and apply Vaseline onto the brush, just as you would toothpaste when you brush your teeth. Rather than brushing your teeth, use the brush to brush over your lips gently. If your lips are extremely dry or chapped, then try my at- home lip exfoliating recipe (shown below) in place of the Vaseline.
3. Right before you go to bed, apply a small amount of Vaseline to your lips and allow it to moisturize as you sleep.
   

Do this every night before bed and within a few days you will have lips as soft as silk. The Mayo Clinic offers ways to naturally prevent chapped lips.

Home-made Lip Exfoliating Recipe

1. Mix together about two tablespoons of olive oil (or honey) to about one tablespoon of sugar. You should be able to mix until you get a paste-like substance. The grains of sugar can help clean the skins surface and unclog pores.
2. Apply the paste to your lips using the toothbrush method and exfoliate into the dry skin.
   

Maintain Moisture

It's good to use a daily protection to prevent cracking and dry damage. You can do this by making an all natural lip gloss that will be both fruity and beautifying.

Organic Lip Gloss to Cure and Protect

1. Combine one teaspoon of all natural aloe vera gel with one teaspoon of petroleum jelly/ Vaseline and mix together.
2. Add three drops of a natural fruit oil of your choice (I like strawberry and cherry) to the mixture and mix together. Now you will have a gloss-like substance.
   
3. Store in a small container and have fun glossing your lips.

From now on no excuses for cracked, peeling lips. My beauty tips should help turn those pink pillows to sweet softness. Now go pucker up!

Save Yourself from the Hussel and Bussel of Eye Shadow

Somehow life seems to speed up faster each week. We've all had those days where we attempt to master our lipstick while running out the door or poke our eye with a mascara brush while driving. I find that eyeshadow takes the longest, it can be difficult to blend or find the right colors to create a smokey eye or shimmery look. It's practically an art! ColorOn Professionals came out with a new eyeshadow product that could potentially rescue us from the hussel and bussel of eye makeup.

The new colorOn instant eyeshadow applicators are a single use applicator that has the shadow already mixed, blended and created on the applicator for you. To apply the shadow all it takes is a single touch. Next you place a finishing powder over the lid to set the shadow in place for extra long wear. ColorOn Professionals claim the shadow is hypoallergenic, waterproof, crease-proof, and long-wearing. Imagine that? How come we don't all have it yet?

The instant shadow is still rather new to the colOn professionals line of makeup. You can buy it online at their website or at most drug stores.

I found, the majority of users have been very happy with the product.

Tory Malmer, 44 "ColorOn instant makeup applicators are ... interesting. I don't wear a lot of eye shadow. I wear contacts, and most eye shadow flakes into my eyes and irritates. But, these did give me a fancy eye "look" with ease. I found them easy to use, and they didn't irritate my eyes. They'd be great for travel. "

Amy R., 31 "ColorOn eye shadow applicators are easy to press on and pull off, making you look like a makeup artist who knows exactly what to do with a four-color combo eye shadow compact. Only problem: Some of the color combination's are seriously tacky - zebra eyelids?! But hey, eye shadow delinquents can only be so picky, and there are a couple of color combination's that look really pretty."

They also have an "animal instincts" line with animal prints for your eyes! Try it out for something truly unique.

This could be a great alternative when traveling to allow more space and save your pallets of shadow from crumbling during your travels. Also give yourself a break once in a while, sometimes it's nice to take the easy way out.

To see how to apply the shadow, watch a video here!

Zap Your Zits Away Using Home Remedies

Don't you wish that anytime you got a zit you could zap it away? Sometimes you can! No matter how old we are, what we eat, or the stress level in our life, we're all bound to get a break out once in a while. Instead of spending a fortune on products that don't work, use what you have at home to rid your zit instantly.
A zit is defined in the same way as a pimple. It is a small skin inflammation or infection that has built up due to clogged pores. It's best not to pop a pimple or zit, because it can lead to scarring or spread infection. If you have already tried my tips and can not go a minute longer without popping your break out then make sure to do it safely and visit the Acne Organization for safe popping procedures.

Ways to rid your zit:

• Rub the Pimple with a fresh cut clove of garlic. Garlic contains strong antibiotic properties and is a general blood cleanser.

• Dab a cotton ball into lemon juice and rub over your zit twice a day. If you have sensitive skin, dilute the lemon juice with a few drops of water. The citric acid from the lemon helps to exfoliate the skin. Lemon also serves as an astringent to dry out the clogged zit. Lemon juice helps speed up the healing process of breakout  and scarring.

• Dry out an orange peel, crush the peel in a mixing bowl and then add water and mix it into a paste. Apply the paste over your entire face and neck and let sit for five minutes. Rinse with warm water. The orange paste will smell and feel so refreshing, you might just be tempted to try a taste!

• Just as Visine helps reduce redness for eyes, it can also help reduce or rid the redness and inflammation of a pimple or zit. Wet the end of a q-tip or cotton ball and spread the Visine over your problem area.

• Aspirin comes to the rescue for both headaches and zits! Aspirin contains BHA, beta hydroxy acid which has the ability to penetrate deeply to unclog pores and exfoliate dead skin cells, reducing acne outbreaks and stimulating cell renewal. Follow the recipe below for your Aspirin Facial Mask.

Aspirin Facial Mask

1. Take six uncoated aspirin tablets and crush them into a powder.
2. Add a few drops of hot water and honey or aloe vera gel to the aspirin powder. Mix the ingredients together in a medium size bowl. Add as much water as needed to obtain a paste like consistency.
   
3. Spread over your entire face. Sit back and relax for about 15 minutes as your mask works it's magic.
4. Wash off with warm water and a light face wash. As your removing your mask, massage the grains of aspirin into the skin to exfoliate.
   
5. Lastly, softly pat your face dry with a towel. 

You can finally say goodbye to your pimples and hello to soft and glowing skin!

To read more about ways to prevent acne, check out what Dermatoglosit Patrice Hyde has to say.