Posts Tagged ‘Beauty’

By, Brook, Staff Writer, Baby and Sofia (@babyandsofia)

When I became pregnant, my life changed completely.  Obviously, I know. I knew having a baby would change everything, and I was so excited for my life’s coming transformation.  But aside from the obvious-becoming-a-mother change, two other major things happened to me.

1. I took being green to a whole new level, dedicating ridiculous amounts of time, energy and resources to creating a healthful, energy-efficient, chemical-free home for my small family.
2. I realized that my primping time had been cut to almost nothing. I had to learn to beautify in a fraction of the time I used to dedicate to my personal appearance.

While I was pregnant I started becoming very conscious of what I ate and applied to my skin and hair.  I realized that every little chemical that I ingested or applied via beauty products could potentially effect my baby.  This has continued on, as I am still a breastfeeding mother and pass everything on to my little one. The more research I did, the more I realized how important it is to be informed about products I purchase, as their use and disposal have a huge effect on both the health of my family and our planet.  I suppose it was a good time to cut back on the amount of beauty products as I now have about 38 seconds to beautify each morning.

Enter Wen Hair Care. I am in love.  I have always had long hair, requiring loads of shampoos, conditioners, oils, sprays, de-tanglers, you name it.  I used to be able to spend loads of time washing, de-tangling, conditioning, blow-drying, curling and styling my hair.  But now-beh!-those days are temporarily retired.  My mom actually introduced me to Wen, claiming this all-natural one-step hair care system had, “Changed (her) life.”  I giggled a little, thinking that it really couldn’t be that amazing, but my interest was piqued.  I looked it up, wanting to learn more and to see if it actually was all-natural.  So many products claim to be “all-natural,” but are actually chuck full of chemicals, masked with a fruity scent.

After a bit of research, I found that Wen actually is all-natural. The key active ingredients are all chemical-free and derived from natural resources.  I also learned that it truly is a one-step system.  The shampoo and conditioner are blended into one product, the Cleansing Conditioner.  As opposed to a shampoo that strips your hair and scalp of its natural oils, followed by a conditioner that replenishes your hair with synthetic moisture, Wen gently cleanses and conditions your hair naturally.

So I ordered it.  The first time that I used Wen to wash my hair was the first time that I was able to comb through my wet hair without applying an oil to help de-tangle; I was hooked.  Gone are the days of shampooing, conditioning, leave-in conditioning, applying oil, applying de-tangler, etc., etc.  Now I can cleanse my hair in the shower and comb through it.   Plus it’s chemical-free, which makes the green part of me very happy.  Sometimes, I can even make time to blow dry (sometimes even style!) my hair, which makes the woman in me very happy.

To learn more about Wen Hair Care, please visit www.wenhaircare.com.

By Working Mommy, Contributor, Lessons Learned (@lessonslrndblog)

There aren’t many times where I feel as though make-up is a necessity, especially in this heat!! I think the reason for that is my uneven skin. I am a fan of tanning – in a bed or in the sun – and had a hard time with acne when I was a teenager, so my skin isn’t really at its peak. I love to play with make-up, though, mostly because I am a huge fan of color. M-A-C is one of my most favorite stores at the mall and I often find myself drawn to the bright lights and gorgeous color palettes.

A few years back I decided that I wanted a makeover – nothing extreme, just a new hair cut and some flashy make-up. I had a little extra money to burn and make-up seemed like a sound investment…I couldn’t have been more correct!!

As I sat in the chair, waiting for my specialist to finish setting up her station, I was giddy with excitement. I wanted to tell her about all of the colors I loved and how I usually wore my hair. I mean, they need to know this information, right?!

I was under the impression – not having worn a lot of make-up before – that one just jumps in with foundation and off you go. That is not the case at all, my friends. As my specialist turned around to face me, I noticed the small black container she held. Before she could work her magic with colors, she explained, she had to prep my face first.

The bottle she held was the “Prep + Prime Skin” elixir and it is Heaven sent!!

{Prep + Prime Skin}

The description of this fabulous product (from the M-A-C website) is as follows:
“An ultra-fluid lotion formulated with special-effect silicones. Calms and soothes the skin, blots away excess oil, and evens out skin redness. Improves the laydown and application of foundation or powder.”

Let me tell you…it is like having silk on your skin! I don’t know what kind of magic they work into this potion, but it evens out your skin so foundation doesn’t look clumpy or caked on. Only TWO pumps of this lotion adequately covered my face and made my skin feel so smooth.  Not to mention, it was a STEAL for the cost and worth WELL MORE than the $26.50 price tag.

Once my foundation was applied and the other items were used – a mix of rosy blush, eye popping eyeshadow and lash lengthening mascara – my specialist told me to close my eyes and hold my breath for a few seconds. I was a bit shocked by the cool spritz that was applied to my face – especially over my make-up.

{Fix}

The description of this fabulous product (from the M-A-C website) is as follows:
“An aqua-spritz of vitamin and minerals, infused with a calm-the-skin blend of green tea, chamomile, cucumber, topped off with the fresh, natural, energizing scent of Sugi. Adds radiance, finishes makeup. Spray it on. Skin drinks it up!”

Usually I run at any sign of liquid once my make-up has been applied, but this made my skin feel hydrated and actually helped to set my make-up. It can be used either before or after putting on make-up, or even on days when you don’t wear make-up at all. I actually keep my bottle in my purse and use a bit when I feel like my face needs some moisture. This is absolutely another great steal of a product for a MERE $19.00!!!

If make-up scares you, don’t be afraid to ask for help. I didn’t start wearing the stuff until my mid-college years because I really didn’t have much of a need for it. Once I figured out what I was doing, though, I felt myself finding reasons to get all dolled up. Now, I am a firm believer that you can only feel as good as you look…and the right amount of make-up has the ability to put that extra pep in your step!!

Do you wear make-up everyday?  What is your preferred brand?

*Photo credits www.maccosmetics.com

By Honey B, Contributor, “The Honey B“ (@thehoneyb)

When I graduated from nursing school, I went into the operating room…the most low maintenance job you can have, because pretty much you show up with OR shoes to change into and you’re set- no makeup or hair style needed, just throw on your hat and mask and you’re ready!

Oh but not the corporate side of things- what a shock. I arrived two years ago after half a decade in hospital scrubs- and not only do I have to make sure my hair is presentable, I’m also expected to do it every day. Seriously.

So over the past two years, I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) what is required on a daily basis, and what office items can help to maintain the illusion that you really have it together- at the office anyway.

White-Out can cover the chip in your french manicure, a Glue Stick can stop a pantyhose run, and Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer can perk up hair gel gone flat.

Business Cards- can cover ‘headlighting’ issues when tucked into your bra, get spinach out of your teeth, and line the back of your new heels if they’re giving you blisters.

A Stapler is a wonderful implement that can help you hold together the hem or crotch of your pants, make a deep v-neck sweater a little less revealing, AND hold your papers together. An amazing multi-tasking implement.

Sharpie Markers can cover the scuff in your black heels, and never forget that Lipstick can work as blush and eyeshadow too!

These little office implements have kept me looking (mostly put together) and I offer these little tips with pride…and only one caveat, which is do not use them all in one day!

Ladies, what was the weirdest use you’ve ever had for a household or office item?

By Shandal

If Only All Gray Hair Looked This Good!

I think I’m too young to start having to think about getting my hair colored and anti-wrinkle creams. Oh did I forget to mention the crows feet that are making their appearance on my “old” face? 

 By Julia

My family history is so incredible. My Mom has done some extensive geneology research and it’s been amazing to find out more about our ancestors. One side of my family is from Italy and the other side from Germany.
 
The combination of those two nationalities has given me some pretty bold characteristics.  Olive-toned skin that tans well and beautiful dark hair.
 
Dark.
 
Thick.
 
Hair.
 
On my face.
 
Oh unibrow, I curse you. I hate that you poke your little hairs out and laugh at me daily. Yes, daily. I pluck at you every day and you still come back. You would think that if I pluck at you enough, you will eventually go away.
 
But noooooooo.  Thanks to my wonderful Italian and German genes, you just come back thicker and darker. 
 
And here’s the kicker. No one told me I about tweezing you until I was in college!! That’s right, I went through 4 years of high school with wicked thick eyebrows that would rival my Grandfather.
 

Photo Courtesy: New York Magazine

I remember getting you waxed for the first time. While you weren’t thin, you were, well, shapely. No stray hairs. No unibrow.
 
But then you grew back. I hate it. I hate plucking and tweezing. I hate that I have to do it daily.
 
But then again if Camilla Belle can pull it off, maybe I can too.

Do you  have a love/hate relationship with your hair?

With 2 toddlers attached to her hip and hair thrown in a ponytail on an almost daily basis, Julia blogs at Work, Wife, Mom… Life. She’s a full-time working mom who tries to balance it all with her faith holding her together.