DIY Pore Strips: Do They REALLY Work?!?!?!?!

 I know we all just LOVE to pin, pin, pin on Pinterest but how many of us actually go through and try some of these DIY projects?!?!?! I'm sure many of us do give it a go but if you're like me, I tend to put the beauty DIY stuff on the back burner for whatever reason. Not today!!!! I put these DIY Deep Pore Cleansing mask to the test!! So do they work or is it just anther Pinterest fail?!?!?! Keep reading to find out!

 So here's what you'll need:

1.5 tablesppons of milk (any kind) - I used Almond Milk - it's all I had!!
1 tablespoon of unflavored Gelatine (do not get Jell-O flavors...it could get ugly if you do!)

One of these little packets is all you need as it measures up to be about 1 tbs.

Mix together; put in the microwave for 15 seconds then start spreading on your face immediately as the Gelatin will start to harden!!!!!

**Side note - I did steam my face before I did this to open up my pores. I just put a small pot of water on the stove and when it started to boil I put my face over the steam. REMEMBER...STEAM IS HOT AND YOU CAN BURN YOURSELF!!! I kept my face far enough from the steam not to burn myself.....So PLEASE use common sense when doing this!!! You can just put a warm towel on your face for about 5 minutes and that will work too.

Spread the Gelatin all over your face as indicated above and work QUICKLY!! As I said...this stuff starts to get jelly and harden fast. The directions said to use a Popsicle stick but I was flat out of those so I used my fingers which worked just fine.


The Verdict:
 OUCH!!!!!!! That's my verdict!

My face is NOT normally this red...the mask did that!!

First off the mask was EXTREMELY difficult to peel off. I would get a good piece to peel off and then it would just come off in a very small piece.....not to mention that as I'm peeling this stuff off it was like peeling a layer of my skin off...OUCH!!!! As you can see in the picture, my face got REALLY red because it became irritated while pulling the gelatin mixutre off. I will say that the pieces I did pull off I could see the "gunk" that it pulled out of my pores, but I could also see all the little hairs that WERE on my face!!!
 I ended up getting a washcloth and wiping the rest of the mask off my face as it was too difficult to peel off.

In the end, I think this would definitely work as a pore strip for your nose or chin or wherever you have blackhead problems...but all over the face, NO! It hurts, it's irritating and it's difficult to get the stuff off your face!! It did leave my face feeling very soft and smooth but I did not like how red and irritated it left my skin. So from now on I'll be using this stuff just on my nose and chin to clean out my blackheads!!

Thanks for reading!!

 

New Maybelline Limited Edition Color Tattoos

So as many of you beauty addicts, like myself, know that with each season come new makeup products. Well Maybelline has come out with a Spring Limited Edition line called The Nudes. There's lipsticks, lip glosses, eyeshadow quads, blush sticks, nail polish and their ever favorite Color Tattoos.

Unfortunately , as I mentioned, these are Limited Edition (insert eye roll and dying groaning sound) which makes them harder to find and if you do find them, the displays are usually wiped. I was fortunate enough to locate two at Bed Bath and Beyond and the rest at my local CVS. I am a bit disappointed that there are NO MATTE'S in this line. I figured with it being "The Nudes" there would be some matte Color Tattoos but there aren't...bummer.

 I will say that if you already have most of the Color Tattoos in the permanent line then you could really skip on a few of these new ones (see below). I have taken pictures with and without flash below so you can see swatches of the colors. I also swatched a few colors from the permanent line and compared them to three of the limited edition colors. Hope this is helpful!!

Without/With Flash

Without/With Flash - If you have Bad to the Bronze, Barely Beige and Barely Branded, which are all in the permanent line, you really could skip on getting Sleek and Spice, Pure Nude and Beinge-ing Beauty.

 

DIY Decorative Jars

So I am snowed in for Part 2 of Snowmaggedon so I decided to get my craftanista juices flowing. I had a few Bath and Body Works candle jars that I wanted to use in my makeup room so I cleaned out all the wax, got some painters tape, some paint and stickers and got to work!


First you will need a candle jar. I like Bath and Body Works candle jars because they're round and can hold a lot of stuff! Of course make sure that you've burned the candle down as far as you can.

Then fill a very small pot with water and bring it to a complete boil on the stove. Pour the boiling water into the candle jar, make sure not to fill it all the way to the top. I usually do this at night right before bed that way the hot water has all night to break up the wax. Side note - you will probably need to do this two or three times before all the wax is out.

DISCLAIMER: DO NOT POUR THE WAXY WATER DOWN YOUR SINK DRAIN!!! Pour it outside in the yard!

This is what the wax will look like once your hot water cools. Again you'll need to do this 2-3x to get it all out.

Once all the wax is out, wash your jar in hot soapy water and let dry.


To get the sticker off the bottom of the jar, just pour some rubbing alcohol on it, let it sit for a minute or two and you will be able to easily peel/scrap it off.

Use a little more rubbing alcohol and a paper towel to clean your jar and get all the sticky stuff or smudges that might be on it.

You will then want to line your jar any way you'd like with painters tape. I used a fatter painters tape but they do make thinner versions but I could only find it at Michael's craft store and it was by Martha Stewart and a little too pricey for me! So I used what I had. I found it easier to put my jar against my bottle of rubbing alcohol to get a steady, precise tape line. Then paint away!

Side note: I had a bit of trouble getting this kind of paint to go smoothly on the glass. Just make sure you don't "glob" it on! I found that the metallic paint looked much better on the jars then the "regular" paint.

Let this dry overnight...don't get inpatient or you might end up with a goopy mess!

So once I let me jars dry I added some glittery sticker letters and decorative stickers to "spice up" my jars. You of course could just leave them as is! I think they turned out pretty good but I did learn my lesson with being impatient with the paint drying and one jar (with pink paint) got a little lumpy!

I hope you enjoyed my little DIY project and if you've tried this DIY please share your pictures with me!!

Items Needed:
Empty jar
All purpose or glass paint (preferably metallic)
Painters tape - any size you want
Sticker letters
Stickers
Small paint brush

New Rimmel Scandal Eyes Eyeshadow Paint

I have been raving about these new eyeshadow paints from Rimmel for a few weeks now so I thought I'd share my opinion and swatches. I didn't give these the credit they deserved when I first bought them. I kept the receipt because honestly, I knew I'd be returning them in a few days. Oh how wrong I was!! I have worn these eyeshadow paints with and without primer and they worked beautifully both ways. They are super pigmented and last all day with no creasing. I have issues with shadows, especially creamy ones, creasing on me and these did not. I even wore these during my intense 25 minute workout and they didn't budge! I was seriously impressed! See below for swatches.


The Verdict:
 I love these!!! They are super creamy and pigmented and they are beautiful on their own or under an eyeshadow. Either way, they last all day and don't crease. These definitely get an A+ in my book!

There are 8 colors total but I only picked up 6 of them. The two I did not get where a frosty white color and a gold color. These are very inexpensive, running about $5 or $6 dollars each but watch for sales because a lot of times Rimmel is buy one get one 50% off at the drugstore.

 Swatches:

Starting Top to Bottom: Manganese Purple, Rich Russet,Pomegranate, Pink, Slate Grey and Chestnut Taupe.

 If you've tried any of these let me know how you like them!!

                                                                              

The All Day Makeup Challenge!

So I decided to put my makeup to the test! I did my makeup around 9am Saturday morning and did not take it off until around 11pm that night (my hubby and I went to a prewedding party). I took pictures right after I did my makeup that morning and then one picture showing my makeup after my husband and I got home. The makeup lasted almost 14 hours which to me is impressive as hell!! I did have to touch up my concealer, thanks to a huge volcano pimple, and a little more powder and a touch of blush. Obviously I had to reapply lipstick also but for the most part my makeup lasted and passed the challenge with flying colors! A picture with a list of all products used is below because I know some people wanted to know what I used! Enjoy :)

Completed makeup look.

Another look at my FOTD.

This is the end of the night, around 11pm. Lighting is obviously different but I am impressed!!

These are all the products used (see below for details).

So overall my makeup held up and I literally had it on for an entire day and into the night. I will say by the end of the night I was ready to scrub my face clean. I love makeup but after 14 hours of it on my face I was ready to GET IT OFF MY SKIN!!!!! Hope you enjoyed this little post and as always thanks for reading!

Products Used:
Prepped face with Urban Decay B6 Spray
Primer - Neutrogena Shine Control
Foundation - Revlon Colorstay and Rimmel Stay Matte (mixed together)
Concealer - L'Oreal Visible Lift CC (under eyes)
                   Physicians Formula Conceal Rx
Powder - Rimmel Stay Matte face powder
                Essence All About Matte powder
Bronzer - Physicians Formula Sexy Booster
Eyebrows - Maybelline Define-a-Brow
                   Brow Gel - Maybelline clear mascara
Eye primer - Urban Decay
All over lid - Rimmel Scandal Eyes shadow paint in Pink
Crease - BeautiControl nude shadow (dupe for UD's Naked color in Naked palette) and MAC's soft brown
Outter corner of eye - Makeup Geek's Cosmopolitan eyeshadow
                                    BeautiControl shadow in a cranberry color
Brow bone - Makeup Geek shadow in Shimma Shimma
On the lid - TheBalm's Overshadow loose pigment in No Money No Honey
Eyeliner - Cover Girl Ink It in Black Ink (tightline)
                 Starlooks Kohl liner in Obsidian (top of lid)
Lower las line - L'Oreal Silkissime eyeliner in color Highlight
Mascara - Cover Girl Bombshell in Very Black
Contour - NYX Blush in Terra Cotta
Blush - Laura Gellar Spiced Chai
Highlight - Revlon Photoready Skinlights in Bare Light and Pink Light (mixed together)
Finished with UD All Nighter Setting Spray

My 50 Shades of Grey Playlist!

My 50 Shades of Grey Playlist:

Hey y’all! So like I’ve explained before, when I read a good book my mind instantly starts to create a playlist of songs that remind me of the book whether it’s the characters or situations on the book. Here is the songs that kept playing in my head or ones that I heard and instantly thought of the 50 Shades of Grey books by E.L. James! Oh and these songs also remind me A LOT of my other favorite series This Man and Beneath This Man by Jodi Ellen Malpas (very similar to 50 Shades but honestly I loved it a little bit more!!) Enjoy!!!

1. Closer by Nine Inch Nails (first time Christian was introduced this song INSTNATLY started in my head!!!!)
2. Sex on Fire by Kings of Leon (need I say more! Plus this was in the book!)
3. By the Way by Theory of a Deadman (ending of book one and the start of book two…this is absolutely perfect)
4. Glitter in the Air by Pink (this to me is Ana)
5. I Will Not Bow by Breaking Benjamin (Christian all the way)
6. Let Me Down Easy by Billy Currington (this actually came on my ipod right at the point in the second book when Christian got on his knees and acted as a sub..I broke down crying at that point btw!!)
7. When I Look at You by Miley Cyrus (definitely fits both Ana and Christian)
8. Bad Things by Jace Everett (again…need I say more!! This is the theme song to my fav show True Blood…yum!)
9. Make You Feel My Love by Adele (this just fits Ana to me in so many ways)
10. Pain by Three Days Grace (Christian Grey all the way!)
11. Halo by Beyonce (again this I such a beautiful song and it’s very fitting from Christians pov)
12. Sunshine by Steve Azar
13. Demons by Imagine Dragons (ohhh poor, poor Christian)
14. Dark Side by Kelly Clarkson (no explanation needed!)
15. All I Need by Within Temptation
16. Come Wake Me Up by Rascal Flatts (this to me describes both Ana and Christian when they were apart)
17. Addicted To Love by Florence and The Machine (perfection!)
18. Never Let Me Go by Florence and The Machine (no matter what I’m reading this song gives me head to toes goosebumps)
19. Broken by Seether and Amy Lee
20. Running Up That Hill by Placebo (red room of pain song…end of!)
21. Scream by Usher (oh but yes!!!!)
22. Come Home by One Republic and Sarah Bareilles

My Weight Loss!!

Since most of you have asked me about the diet plan that I am on, I figured I would write it all up and post it here on my blog for all to see!! This is done at a little primary care physician in the mountains and it has truly worked for me and two other co-workers.

My first goal with this diet was to lose 30lbs. I am currently at a weight loss of 20lbs so I’m VERY happy (I started at the end of Nov)!! My ultimate weight loss is 50lbs. I’ve still got a ways to go but I love how I feel and I really love getting into a pair of pants that I have not been in for over 3 years!!!! WOOT WOOT!!!

So below I will post the supplements I am taking plus the foods they recommend and how much! Any other questions please don’t hesitate to contact me and I will answer them to the best of my ability!!

Supplements and Medications:

1.       Multivitamin with minerals – you can take any kind of multivitamin.

2.       Cell Press – This helps with controlling your appetite by giving you that “full” feeling. This is a natural medication so you can buy this online!! It’s around $20. It’s a bright red capsule that you take 30 min before lunch and dinner.

Prescription Medications from the office:

1.       Vitamin B12 Shot – helps with energy and prevents fatigue

2.       Phendimetrazine 35mg – take one pill one hour before breakfast, lunch and dinner. This helps suppress appetite; it’s a mild diuretic (NOT TRUE I pee like a Russian race horse because this pill gives you the case of cotton mouth BAD so you drink NON STOP!!!); stimulates utilization of protein, fats and carbs.

*SIDE NOTE ON THIS MEDICATION – It is a VERY mild prescription diet pill!! I have been on a prescription diet pill call Adipex or Phentrimine for 2 years and that pill literally will make you feel like you are on a HIGH dose of Speed!!!!!! I could have ran a marathon on that diet pill because it speeds up your metabolism so much. I dropped 20lbs on that particular diet pill in about 2 weeks BUT and this is a BIG BUT…if you lose weight too fast like that it will come back just as quick!! I know the doctors and professional all say that but I’m tellin ya I can definitely attest to that fact!!!!

Simple Induction Phase:

This phase is pretty much to throw your body into what is called ketosis/liposis which is when your body releases fat-mobilizing hormones that will assist your body with suppressing your appetite and consuming your own body fat! Gross I know!! Pretty much it allows your body to burn those nasty fatty tissues!

This is where it gets a tab bit difficult……..for 7 days you eat ONLY PROTEIN!!!!!!!!!! I struggled with this because I am a VERY picky eater and I really had to just eat chicken for breakfast, lunch and dinner! I know exciting right?!?!?! Below you will see the protein list.

Protein List:

14-16 oz of protein servings a day divided equally into 3 meals.

Poultry (1oz) – chicken, turkey (white meat, no skin or Cornish hen), quail or other game birds (no skin).

Fish (1oz) – fresh or frozen cod, flounder, haddock, halibut, trout and tuna (if canned, must be with water), herring, salmon and catfish.

Shellfish  (6 oz) – oysters; sardines (2 oz); crab, lobster, scallops, shrimp, clams, squid (1 oz) – cannot be breaded or fried.

Game (1 oz) – venison, quail and other game birds.

Cheese – Nonfat or 1% cottage cheese (1/4 cup); 4% cottage cheese (1/4 cup); fat free cheese (1 oz); ricotta cheese fat free (1/2 cup); grated parmesan (2tbsp).

Beef (1 oz) – USDA select  or choice (trimmed of fat) such as round roast, sirloin, flank steak, tenderloin, t-bone, porterhouse, ground round.

Pork (1 oz) – lean pork, ham (not sugar cured), Canadian bacon, tenderloin and pork chop.

Other – Tofu (3 oz or ¼ cup); processed meats (3gm or less fat per oz; 1 oz); hard boiled egg (1oz); egg whites (2 whites); egg substitutes ¼ cup).

Day 8 Add Carbohydrates

Have 3 meals and 2 snacks daily

2 servings: one serving is equal to 1 cup raw or ½ cup cooked.

Vegetable List:

Asparagus, Artichoke, Arugula, Bamboo spouts, Beans-Green/Yellow, Bean sprouts, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cucumber, Eggplant, Greens/Collards, Leeks, Mushrooms, Okra, Onions/Scallions, Peppers green/red/sweet/hot, Sauerkraut, Soy beans, Spinach, Radish, Radicchio, Turnips, Zucchini.

Day 15 Add fruits

2 servings; 1 serving as listed

Fruit List:

Apples – small; Cherries – ½ cup; Nectarines – medium; Apricots – medium; Grapes – 10; Oranges – small; Berries all varieties – ½ cup; Grapefruit – ½ cup; Peach – small; Cantaloupe – ½ cup; Lemon; Pears – medium.

Salad Herbs: Basil, Cilantro, Dill, Oregano, Rosemary, Thyme

Dressings: Olive oil and vinegar; Sugar/Fat/Carb. Free dressing

FREE TREATS:

Week One – any spice/seasoning; Artificial sweeteners; Butter buds; Dill pickles; Fat free broth; Parmesan/Pericorino cheese (2 tbsp); Mustard; Lemon or Lime juice; Sugar free gelatin (10 cal); Vinegar – red, white, light rice.

Week Two – Celery; Ketchup; Lettuce; Mayonnaise (fat free); Popsicle (60 cals or less); Pudding (60 cal. Once a week); Whipping cream (3 tbsp once a week); Yogurt (60 cals or less).

LIQUID INTAKE – VERY IMPORTANT:

Daily fluid of 1 gallon or 128 ounces a day!!! You heard me right folks!! That is sixteen 8oz glasses of water a day! At LEAST 64 ounces are needed daily. NO soft drinks – diet or zero calorie!!!!! If you can’t get all that in just plain water, like me, behold there are some options!!!!!

You can drink: calorie free flavored water; Crystal Light (I drink this ALL day and drink my water in the evening!! My fav is Cherry Pomegranate; Sugar free lemonade; Any calorie free and caffeine free drinks; Fat free broths.

STAY AWAY FROM MILK, JUICES AND CREAMER!!!!!!! Also stay away from caffeine due to potential side effects!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay so that is the breakdown of the program! It’s up to you to utilize and put forth all of this to get yourself healthier!!! If I can do it YOU CAN DO IT!!! Okay that seriously just sounded like an infomercial!!!!!!!

Again ANY questions you have please don’t hesitate to contact me and I will try my best to answer your questions about the foods. I can’t help you if it pertains to health questions…I’M NOT A DOCTOR!!!!! 

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OF ANY WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM THAT YOU PARTICIPATE IN. IT’S VERY IMPORTANT THAT A PHYSICIAN WHO KNOWS YOUR HEALTH CONDITIONS TO MONITOR ANY MAJOR CHANGE YOU ARE GOING TO DO THAT INVOLVES YOUR BODY AND MEDICATIONS!!!! I AM IN NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM A DOCTOR AND I CANNOT GIVE MEDICAL ADVICE!! IF YOU NEED THAT GO TO YOUR DOCTOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!