Beauty Review: NuMe Clipless Curling Wand

I am enjoying this curling iron after only a few days use. Comes in a slide out cardboard box with a heat resistant glove. I was debating whether to buy the 1/2" barrel or 1" barrel, I went with the 1/2" as I find it to be more versatile. 1/2" barrels can make tight or loose curls depending on how tight you wrap your hair around the barrel. And how much hair you wrap around the barrel. Definitely easy to use, quicker and easier than a clip style curling iron. The only downfall is that it doesn't have temperature gauge or even a little light to let you know it's on. This curling wand heats up quickly and has a long swivel cord. All in all, I would recommend this product to a friend or purchase it as a gift for someone.

Beauty DIY: Coconut Oil Skin Care & Hair Mask

I guess a lot of people tend to shy away from applying oil to their oily, combination or acne prone skin. Just keep in mind that this regimen worked for my skin, but it may not work for yours. This review is entirely based on my personal opinions.

For fine hair, oily scalp and dry ends, I also have colour treated hair. Coconut oil is solid when it is in an environment below 24C. It is in liquid form at any temperature above that. I use a tablespoon of this oil on the ends of my hair. Apply to dry hair and leave it in for as long as you can. I leave mine in just before I clean my house every weekend. 2 hours after I'm done cleaning, I take a shower and wash the oil out with my regular shampoo. Following with hair conditioner, towel dry and air dry your hair. The reason why I suggest air drying your hair is because you have just moisturized your ends, you don't want to dry them out again with heat styling.

For oily, sensitive, acne prone skin. Acne treatments usually over dry the skin to fish out the impurities and unclog pores. Or if you're like me, I have stubborn pimples that are dormant for about 2-3 months and then when stress or lack of sleep hits me. They flare up and come to the surface. After applying my usual Clay masks to soak up the oil, or after the pimple contents have been extracted. Most of us would have a scab or a red dry spot. I apply a coconut oil & tea tree oil combo. I make it with 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil with 2 drops of tea tree oil, mix well and keep in fridge when not used. This mixture usually keeps well for 2 weeks in an air tight container. Tea tree oil is widely used as an antiseptic and great for killing acne causing bacteria. But when used in the pure form, it can overly irritate and burn your skin, because this pure oil is extremely potent and strong. Hence, you need to water it down with another type of oil, I chose coconut oil because it has great moisturizing properties. Also coconut oil has antiseptic properties as well.

Coconut Oil in a solidified state

Beauty DIY: Epsom Salt Mask for Acne

Any type of Epsom salt will do, I prefer the plain one.

Cotton Pads, lint-free is best.

Sheet Masks can be purchase on Ebay or your local beauty supply store.

This mask is used to treat inflammation of acne. 

You will require the following:

Epsom Salt
Hot Water
1 ceramic mug
Mask Sheet
Cotton pads

Directions:

In a kettle boil 1 cup of water. In a ceramic mug place 3 heaping tablespoons of Epsom salt, pour boiling water over, stir till the salt melts. 

Place your mask sheet and 3 cotton pads into the mug. Let stand till room temperature. Take the mask sheet out and squeeze out half the liquid. Unfold and place on your face. Smooth out the edges to provide maximum coverage. 

There will be gaps that the mask sheet won't cover. This is what the extra cotton pads will be used for. Also if you have acne on your neck, you can place a sheet of paper towel into the mixture and use it as a mask sheet for your neck. 

Leave on till the mask sheet dries or for minimum 15 minutes.

January 3, 2012 Update

There is also a more Eco-friendly way you could use this mixture (no more cotton pads, facial sheets or paper towel). Epsom salt and water in a facial sauna. It's great for acne and unclogging pores, as well as clearing nasal congestion. 

You can also add essential oils for added effectiveness. Use essential oils such as Chamomile, Juniper, Lavender, Peppermint or Rosemary to treat acne. Just add a drop to the facial sauna Epsom salt & water mixture. Steam your face with a towel over your head for more effective results. 

Conair & Revlon both make a facial sauna. 

As long as steam comes out, it's good to go. If you want to save money and not buy a facial sauna. A sauce pan or heat safe glass bowl will work. You can boil your water in a kettle pour into a large sauce pan or glass bowl where your Epsom Salt and/or essential oil(s) are sitting. 

Stir with wooden spoon for approximately 5 minutes to cool off a bit. (SAFETY: Make sure you cool off the liquid for a couple minutes first, you do not want to have steam burn).

Sit with face leaning over the steaming liquid, place towel over your head. Steam for 10-15 minutes.

 

Revlon Facial Sauna

Beauty Haul & Review: July/August

Freeman Single Use Masks
...Clay Mask in Mint & Lemon
This helps soak up oil and unclogs my pores.
...Anti-Stress Mask with Dead Sea Minerals
This hydrates and makes my skin so soft.

Sally Hansen Hard as Nails
...230 Heart of Stone
A beautiful cotton candy pink
...160 Hard-core Party
A pretty pale pink for every day wear

Aussie
...Hair Insurance Leave-in Conditioner
This moisturizes my dry ends without weighing down my fine hair. It smells like coconuts and sweets.
...Catch the Wave Mousse
This helps hold my heatless waves without sacrificing movement and flexibility in my hair. Although this mousse doesn't smell half as good as the Hair Insurance. I still like it.

Maybelline
...Dream Fresh BB Cream in Medium/Deep is a fast drying, light weight and non greasy formula. Great for my sensitive oily & acne prone skin.
...Baby Lips in Cherry Me
I love the smell of cherries and the sheer red tint this lip balm gives. Good for the girls that like the natural makeup look.

Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer. I've been looking for a gradual tan moisturizer for my face. This one is non greasy and is a lot less smelly than most self tanners.

Bath and Body Works
...Coconut Lime Breeze shower gel reminds me of lime slushies on a blazing hot day. Smells delicious and light.
...Pink Chiffon fragrance mist is fruity and sweet. It's light weight scent is great for every day use.

Beauty & Lifestyle: July 2012 Favourites

Christian Kane's Something's Gotta Give was one of my favourite songs from his hit TV series Leverage.

I am absolutely in love with this album of Jason Mraz called LOVE. The songs are just so catchy they make me want to dance on the sidewalk while walking home. My top 3 songs from this album are: The Freedom Song, Living in the Moment, Everything is Sound.

Screaming Fuchsia by Color Club. Love love love pink polish for the summer. I've had this colour on for 3 weeks.

Montego Bay Club Gladiator Sandals. These are the most comfortable mini wedge sandals I have ever owned. I purchased these 2.5years ago and I'm still enjoying them dearly.

Maybelline Falsies Volum' Express Flared Waterproof

Cherry Body Wash by Dial, for some reason this scent reminds me of Body Shop's Satsuma

Lindt Chili Dark Chocolate started off as an impulse buy and ended up to be an addiction

Wet n Wild Eye/Eyebrow Pencil in Taupe. It's a STEAL and it works well. Creamy and pigmented.

Elizabeth Arden gift with purchase Super Sized Makeup Bag. Love the hint of Lime :)