DIY Damaged/Dry Hair Repair

If you've ever colored your hair, then you know how damaged your hair can get afterwards! I just went from my natural color (brunette), with blonde ends (a grown out ombre), to WAY TO BLONDE, back to brunette. I did all of it at a salon, 2 different ones actually, so there was no over the counter dyes, but my hair was still course and brittle. Even though the texture felt 100% thicker, it continued to break and don't even get me started on the dead/split ends!! I had just cut my hair about 6 weeks ago, so I didn't want to go back to the salon for a trim. Instead, I decided to try a natural remedy on my dry/damaged hair!!!

Here's what I used:

I have a ton of hair, so I used 1/4 cup of each:

*Sweet Almond Oil

*Honey

*Vitamin E Oil

*Coconut Oil

*Empty Plastic Bottle

*Wide Tooth Comb

-I put the coconut oil in a bowl and heated it up with my blow dryer. (You can use a microwave, which will prob be faster, but I don't own one.) 

-Then mix in the other three ingredients and add to empty bottle. (The bottle just makes it less messy, but if you don't have one, just use your hands and lots of towels ;) You can also apply in the shower!)

-Part your hair into sections: bottom, middle and top. 

-Start with the bottom layer: Start at the roots and brush with  comb downwards.

-Repeat onto middle and top layer. Once roots are covered move down to ends. Make sure to really work in the ends. 

-I then like to massage the roots for 10-15 minutes.

-Twist in a bun, clip it, put a plastic shower cap on and chill for as long as you want. (I've done this, leaving the treatment over night and leaving the treatment for an hour. I've found that you'll get the same results!)

-Lastly, rinse your hair and wash it with your favorite shampoo. Again, I like to massage the shampoo into my hair for about 10 min, helps to get the oil out.

-Don't forget to condition!

I then towel dry, use my fav leave-in conditioner, 'It's a 10 Miracle leave in product' and then fav Argan Oil Hair Serum, to help with frizz, I have naturally curly hair. 

I try to stay away from blow dryers, flat irons, curling irons/wands after using this treatment, as they tend to dry out my hair. So just air dry, you'll thank me later! 

My hair feels so amazing after this treatment, 

I hope yours does too!!!

DIY Painted Animal Jars

I was surfing on Pinterest one day looking for party favor ideas for my guests at my baby shower and came across mason jars with tiny animal glued on the lids. Since I was doing a safari theme, I thought they were absolutely perfect!!

Tools:

-Plastic Jungle Animals

-Super Glue

-White Primer

-Mason Jars (I used the 4oz size.)

-Spray Paint in Green, Pistachio & Copper

-Jelly Beans

Step 1: Super glue lids together.

Make sure to hold down firmly for about 10 seconds. Otherwise, when you're gluing the animal to the lid, the lid will come apart.

Step 2: Select animals. (I used all expect the ostrich and elk.)

Step 3: Glue animal onto top of lid.

 (I found it easier to use two hands, but because I was alone while crafting, I had to use one lol.)

Step 4: USE PRIMER! When you've finished with the desired amount (I made 70!), begin the spraying process. 

I tried one with our primer first, and it began to bubble a little on the back of the plastic animal...then I primed them all before using the colors. 

 Step 5: Spray paint with colors! Make sure to do one thin layer at a time because the paint will run.

Step 6: Let dry and add jelly beans!! How cute did they turn out?! I was very happy!!

Here are the final products at my baby shower! (Baby Shower post coming soon!!)

Hope you have as much fun making these as I did!

My bed time routine...

Everyone know that SLEEP is the #1 beauty essential, but before sleep, there are a few more things that are MUST-DOs. 

Here is my STEP BY STEP nightly routine:

STEP 1: REMOVE MAKEUP. I like to use coconut oil. It's gentle on the skin and is great for around the eye area.

STEP 2: CLEANSE. Once your makeup is removed, make sure to wash your face. 

STEP 3: EXFOLIATE. Exfoliation is the removal of the oldest dead skin cells that cling to the skin's outermost surface. When done correctly, exfoliation leaves the skin feeling smoother and fresher looking! Who wouldn't want that! (I use Vitagoods Spin Brush and Lush's Angels on Bare Skin.) PS. Don't forget to exfoliate your lips and the tops of your hands too!

STEP 4: CASTOR OIL. I use Castor Oil on my eyebrows and eye lashes, because castor oil helps to darken, thicken, and grow your hair! (Read more about CO here.) Then I lightly apply coconut oil all over my face!

STEP 5: MOISTURIZE.Then I lightly apply coconut oil all over my face!

STEP 6: FLOSS FLOSS FLOSS. This little step will keep the dentist away! (For a little while at least.) Flossing is SOO important I can't emphasis this enough!!!! According to CBS News,  flossing daily can add 6.4 years to your life! How crazy is that!!!! (Read more about that here! Also said chocolate and sex add more years too!! :))

STEP 7: BRUSH your teeth. This one is a given...after a long day of eating and drinking, who wouldn't want to brush a day out of their mouth!

STEP 8: BRUSH your hair. I love brushing my hair. A friend of mine even referenced "Marsha Marsha Marsha" once. I don't like to tie my hair up at night, gives me a headache in the morning, so I leave it down. I've actually noticed it growing faster in the pat month, because I've been brushing it religiously! (I've also been sleeping on a silk pillowcase. Which is great for hair and preventing wrinkles. I bought mine here.)

I hope these steps help you to a more beautiful morning!

Sweet Dreams!

DIY Hand Sanitizer

With the flu season upon us, hand sanitizer is a must! Getting sick sucks, so I always try to be as prepared as possible! Here is my favorite recipe using all natural ingredients!

The lavender and tea tree oil have great natural antiseptic properties. Lavender oil is antibacterial and may even prevent scarring. Tea tree is one of nature’s greatest natural antiseptics, and is also good for insect bites and stings, burns, cuts, and abrasions. 

Aloe Vera alkalizes the body! Disease cannot manifest in an alkaline environment. It is a well-known adaptogen, which boosts the body's natural ability to adapt to external changes and resist illness. It also is high in vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fatty acids, all great for promoting beautiful skin!

Vitamin E comes from antioxidant properties, which removes the unstable compounds that damage the cell structure. It also works great to target excessive dryness. (I love applying Vitamin E oil at night in place of a night cream!)

Witch Hazel is an amazing disinfectant! It works as an anti-inflammatory and fights germs with its amazing antimicrobial properties. It also treats sunburns, great for eczema and psoriasis, reduces wrinkles, moisturizes, heals bruises, treats acne, and reduces puffy eyes! (Now you know what to do with the rest of the bottle ;))

Ingredients:

*2 tablespoons Aloe Vera

*2 tablespoons Vitamin E

*1 tablespoon Witch Hazel

*10 drops Lavender Oil

*10 drops Tea Tree Oil

*Filtered Water

*2 ounce glass bottle (found here)

Directions:

Mix the aloe, vitamin e, witch hazel, lavender oil, and the tea tree oil in glass bottle. (I used the dropper to fill the bottle with the ingredients.) Then fill the remaining bottle with filtered water. Make sure to shake before every use!!

Hope this keeps you healthy this cold and flu season!!!

Favorite Fall LOOK - Over the knee boots!!!!

Fall is officially here!!!! It's about time!!!  I've been dying to bust out my scarves, sweaters, coats, and especially my new over the knee boots!! Thigh high boots are THE BEST fall accessory! They are super versatile! You can dress them up or down!

Here are a few examples:

Over the knee boots can be so fun!!! They come in so many different fabrics, colors, and styles!

Here are a few of my favorites:

Sam Edelman Kayla Suede Tall Boot, $258 

(Here is a 10% off coupon: FALL2014)

Comes in Black and Brown!

Chinese Laundry, Riley, $99 (On SALE!!))

Comes in Black, Chocolate, and Grey.

They come in suede or leather!

Chinese Laundry 'Jace', $200

Comes in Black, Dark Brown Leather and Brown Suede.

These boots were made for walking ladies!!!

DIY SUPER SIMPLE Avocado Hair Mask

A Mask for Overall Hair Amazingness

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 3 teaspoon olive oil or argan oil or coconut oil

Method:

1. Mash yor avocado completely.
2. Add the coconut milk and olive oil (or one of the other oils), stirring rapidly to combine it all.
3. Warm up your mask on the stovetop until it’s slightly warm.
4. Apply the mask from roots to ends, massaging it into your scalp.
5. Leave on for at least thirty minutes or as long as you can, and then wash your hair.
6. Style as usual!

ENJOY!!!

The 411 on Dry Brushing

Every woman wants smooth, silky skin and here's an easy way to achieve that with DRY BRUSHING. What is dry brushing you ask? Well, it's literally taking a natural bristled brush, not to be confused with a good ol' hair brush, and gently rubbing it on your skin in short, quick strokes. YES it's that simple! 


SO here are the amazing benefits of DBing...

1. Gets rid of dead skin cells.

2. Increases circulation.

3. Helps the lymphatic system work better.

(In your body, your lymphatic system is the system responsible for eliminating cellular waste products. Hundreds of miles of lymphatic tubules allow waste to be collected from your tissues and transported to your blood for elimination, a process referred to as lymphatic drainage.

When your lymphatic system is not working properly, waste and toxins can build up and make you sick. Lymphatic congestion is a major factor leading to inflammation and disease. By stimulating your lymphatic system and helping it release toxins, dry skin brushing is a powerful detoxification aid. Source.)

4. Decreases bloating.

5. Reduces cellulite. 

6. Improves digestion and kidney function.

7. Relieves stress.

8. Helps to tighten skin.

9. Helps your skin to absorb nutrients by unclogging pores.

10. Helps with muscle tone.

Here's how I dry brush:

Before I get in the shower, I grab my natural bristled brush and pour a quarter size amount of vitamin E oil* and/or grapeseed oil* directly on my brush. (Kinda defeats the name of DRY brushing when using a liquid, but it's all the same.) I like to use oils because the bristles can be a little rough on my skin, and the oils help to soften up the bristles. (*Grapeseed oil helps to tighten skin and aids in anti-aging. *Vitamin E oil is a great antioxidant and promotes healing!)

I start with my right foot and move up my leg, then go to my left, always moving in a circular motion towards the heart. (Always brush towards your heart because it's best for circulation and your lymphatic system.)

I then work my way up to my bum, lower back, stomach, arms, chest and upper back. I don't brush my face as I will exfoliate once I'm in the shower. 

It's that simple!!!

Then I hop in the shower! My skin feels silky and smooth like a baby's bum!

Typically it will take me 5-10 minutes to do my entire body. I do tend to emphasis more on my thighs, bum and hips, where cellulite and stretch marks are more predominate. 

Here is the brush I use: Hydrea London Dry Skin Body Brush, $12

Here are a few others: 

• Hydrea London Dry Skin Sauna Brush, $16 (This one has a long handle for hard to reach places.)
• Hydrea London Dry Skin Brush, $14 (This one has a detachable handle.)

Go out and get your Dry Brush on!!!!