5 Simple Tips To Fix 5 Mistakes We Almost All Make When We Put On Makeup

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Have you ever been putting on your makeup and when everything is going well, you suddenly make a mistake that ruins all of your effort? Have you had to take off your makeup some time because, without meaning to, you've ruined your makeup? Surely you have; it happens to all of us.

In today's makeup post, you will find five of the most common mistakes and the best tips to quickly fix them without having to take off all of your makeup...


"I'VE PUT ON TOO MUCH FOUNDATION"
This is a very common mistake that we all make when we put on makeup. If you are totally made up, to take off any excess foundation, do the following:

Lightly moisten a clean sponge with water (the sponge should be almost dry and without any makeup residue) and sponge all of your face with downward movements.

TIP: It's very important, most of all, to avoid excess foundation and concealer around the eyes. To eliminate any excess in this area, perform the same step and afterwards use your fingertips to softly blur the product in that area.

"MY EYESHADOW LOOKS TOO DARK"
If you've put on too much eyeshadow, or it looks too dark, follow these steps to quickly fix the problem:

If it happened on your upper eyelid, blur the eyeshadow toward the edges with a clean brush to reduce the color. If it still looks very dark, apply a little bit of matte cream eyeshadow with a brush (if you don't have cream eyeshadow, you can use translucent powder) and blur the eyeshadow.

If it happened on the lower part of your eye, use a fine, clean brush to blur, or pat it softly with a Q-tip.

If as you were blurring, you've left the contour of the eyelid and the shadow looks very dark, blur it with a clean sponge and afterwards apply a little bit of foundation, patting lightly to fix the foundation.

"I'VE PUT ON TOO MUCH BLUSH"
If you applied too much blush, try the following tip:

Stroke your cheek with a thick, loose powder bush the brush should be completely clean. If you still have too much blush on, apply translucent or clear powder with the same brush, just over the blush. That way the two powders should mix, clarifying the original color.

"I'VE PUT TOO MUCH MAKEUP ON MY EYEBROWS"
When we put too much makeup on our eyebrows, we look harsh and we can't even recognize ourselves. Follow the following tip to quickly solve this:

Simply brush the eyebrow with a clean Q-tip, going against the grain of your eyebrow. You will see how quickly the color you initially applied disappears.

"I'VE SMEARED MASCARA ON MY EYELID"
That's all right. Just follow these next steps and you'll see how you can quickly fix the problem:


Continue applying makeup and when you have finished, allowing enough time for the mascara to dry, apply a Q-tip right over the smudge. You'll see how it quickly disappears and you don't need to remove the makeup from your whole eye.

TIP: A good trick to avoid smudging yourself is applying makeup first to your inferior eyelashes and then to the superior.


Now it's YOUR turn:  Do you have any makeup tips you want to share? Let us know in the comments!

How To Style the Black & White Trend for Spring 2013

TGIF Dolls!

It's has certainly been "one of those weeks" where the days have literally meshed together in a total blur. In my humble opinion, when this happens the only activity that seems to help bring back the motivation is indulging in a little bit of retail therapy.

Today's fashion beauty set is inspired by one of the iconic trends seen on the runways during Fashion Week: Black & White Trend.

Girl of the Moment: Black & White Trend
with
Stella & Dot, OXMO , Nella - Bella

Item pricing and Where to buy:

Tetiana K Back Bow Top - Back Bow | Apricot Collection - $49 {new arrival}
OXMO Polka Dot Dress - Polka Dot | Apricot Collection - $17 {sale}
OXMO - Little Black Dress | Apricot Collection - $19 {sale}

Accessories:

Stella & Dot - Tempest Necklace | Stella & Dot - $208
Stella & Dot - Fiona Bib Necklace | Stella & Dot - $128
Nella - Bella - Nu Retro Black | Apricot Collection - $125


To see the entire fashion post covering this same beauty set  for our partners at Apricot Collection, please visit their blog {HERE}


Now it's YOUR turn:  What are some ways you like to unwind from having a hectic work week?  Let us know in the comments! 

How to go from Naturally Curly Hair to Straight Silky Hair

If I could have my way, I would convince my Lil Diva to wear her hair just like this: naturally curly pigtails.  But as you can see from her sweet little face, she is "not having it".  Seeing her expression, leaves me no other choice but to pull out her Parnevu hair products and a few hair tools so we can spend the evening straightening out her naturally curly hair.

To see exactly which Parnevu products we use, please check out last week's post: Parnevu Review - Amazing Products for Naturally Curly Hair. 

Okay, so now we are talking about "going straight" ....

Getting your hair straight is not a quick and easy task, especially if your hair is extremely curly. Thick or long curly hair can take hours to get right especially at the beginning, but once you have done this a few times, not only do you get used to the process, but so does your hair.

Good news is: there are some steps you can take to make the process a little easier.

The Process

Begin by washing and conditioning your hair. Use a deep conditioner {I highly recommend Parnevu Salon Shampoo for Extra-Dry Hair followed by Parnevu's Leave In Conditioner for Extra-Dry Hair} otherwise straightening hair can leave it dry and damaged.

Towel-dry your hair and apply a oil styling lotion {I recommend using Parnevu Oil Styling Lotion for Extra-Dry Hair}. The styling lotion will help prep your hair for the process. Allow your hair to partially air dry before bringing out the hair dryer.

Pin the top portions of your hair up on top of your head. Work just 1 section of your hair at a time. Use a brush (flat paddle or round) to pull a small section of hair straight while drying it with a hair dryer.

Repeat this process, section by section, until all of your hair is dry.

If your hair is very curly, you may still notice a little frizz, here and there. Don't worry; this will all go away when the process is completely finished.

At this stage, you are now prepped and ready to straighten.

The Tool

The best tool for straightening curly hair is a ceramic flat iron. The best one for our purpose is 1.5 inches wide. This is easier to work with and provides better control than larger models.

Most flat irons have multiple temperature settings. Hair types respond to heat uniquely, so you must experiment. Until you know otherwise, start with the lowest setting and work your way up in temperature until you get the results you want.

The most important key to straightening success is good prep. With well prepped hair, any reputable flat iron should give you a smooth, frizz-free look.

In our case we have had such a huge success by using the Parnevu for Extra Dry Hair products that we are now able to share these {and the entire Parnevu product line} with you by offering a SPECIAL READERS DISCOUNT: 

Receive 25% off on your purchase at www.parnevu.com of any 3 or more products.

Use coupon code Flava25 at checkout.

Coupon valid until July 8, 2013.

Now it's YOUR turn:  How do you prefer to straighten your hair?  Do you have any suggestions or tips you would like to share? Let us know in the comments! 

A Night Cream That Helps Your Skin To Relax and Become Younger

This post is sponsored by Own Skin Health.

Ladies, if your doctor has ever told you that nutrient-rich night creams are great for nourishing skin, then I would say to listen up because it's very true. A rich, nourishing cream that helps replenish antioxidant and moisture levels overnight, when the skin is at its most receptive, will certainly help reduce the signs of aging over time. With that being said, one important key factor is using a night cream suitable for your skin.

During the night, your night creams will help your skin to relax, and to regenerate, after a long, hard day. Using a night cream is imperative for obtaining healthier skin. The progressive release of the cream's ingredients throughout the night maximizes its efficiency: skin is smoother and delightfully hydrated. Not to mention that the night cream will also prepare your delicate facial skin for the next day.

One night cream that I have been using the past few weeks and that I can recommend is the Refining Moisture Night Cream by Own Skin Health.

This night cream contains a plant based technology designed to work with your skin's unique biochemistry and the three main layers of your skin. The anti-aging formula helps enhance the collagen levels in the skin, strengthen the skin barrier so it can retain more moisture as well as increase the skin's metabolism for softer, smoother and younger looking skin. In addition, this night cream is RETINOL FREE, does not cause irritation or redness, it is dermatologist tested, free of parabens and sulfates- which tend to be quite harsh on skin.

Here are my thoughts:

I have used the night cream religiously every night for the past three weeks. I have oily/sensitive/acne prone skin {lucky me, right? Not!} which would lend you to believe that my skin does not necessarily need added moisture - this could not be farther from the truth. Reality is, no matter the type of skin you have, this night cream can certainly be beneficial. I have noticed that the cream, although thick in consistency, melts into my skin rather quickly. There is no greasy film left behind - the skin feels softer, smoother and dry.

When I wake up in the morning, my skin has retained enough moisture during the night that I have noticed my skin looking brighter and feeling somewhat tighter. Another point that I can add, is that my skin does not feel "slick" after a few hours of sleep {there have been times that my face has produced so much oil over the night that I wake up feeling greasy ... not a sexy feeling at all!}

To give you a better idea of how I use the Refining Moisture Night Cream this is exactly what I do every night before going to bed:

After cleansing my face and neck, I apply a small amount {about the size of a quarter} of the night cream to my face in gentle circular motions beginning with my cheeks and working my way outwards. Then I proceed to apply cream to my forehead and neck - working all the way to my chest.

That's it. By the time I walk from the bathroom to the master bedroom, my entire face and neck are completely dry, with no signs of lotion residue.

So as far as using a night cream goes, the Refining Moisture Night Cream by Own Skin Health is among my top favorites. The signs of healthier skin are showing, there is no greasy film left behind and I have not broken out since I started applying the night cream.

To see more information about this product and others made by Own Skin Health, please visit their website {www.ownskinhealth.com}

If you have a smart phone, you can also download the MY OWN diagnostic tool so you can track your own skin's results and improvements while using their creams as well as receive customized lifestyle recommendations that will help you keep your skin looking healthier, firm and soft.


Now it's YOUR turn:  Do you use a night cream before going to bed?  Let us know in the comments! 


Disclosure: I received a complimentary jar of the Renewing Moisture Night Cream to try and review. In no way was I expected to write a positive review. All opinions stated here are 100% my own. For more details about our Disclosure Policy, please refer to our Disclosure page at the top of the website.

Four Products that will Help You prepare for this upcoming Lovers Day

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Did you know that April 23rd is known as Lovers Day? 

Unlike its brother holiday, Valentines Day, Lovers Day is not about receiving gifts, being taken out to dinner or given expensive jewelry. Lovers Day is meant to be celebrated on a more personal, intimate level.

Intimacy is an extremely important part of everyone's lifestyle - it doesn't matter whether you have been with your loved one for a week, a month, a year, or ten years. Making that effort to set aside time to dedicate to one another, not only adds spark into the relationship, but it also helps you form a special bond with one another; not to mention that there are also several health benefits that come from having a healthy love life.

Although, our health is extremely important and should not be overlooked, we will visit that topic at a later date. Today, I want us to concentrate on a few specific items that can help "liven up" our intimate sessions.

Are you ready? I hope so. Let's take a look at four products that are sure to help you rediscover the true meaning of Lover's Day.

Item #1.

This neon ring from Pipedream is waterproof, body safe, whisper quiet with one touch control used to heighten the senses of both partners. The ring can be used in the shower and comes with a non replaceable "L754" Battery which is included in packaging.

Item #2.

Crazy Girl Diva Dust in silver vixen. This shimmery Diva Dust is infused with pheromones that can heighten the senses as well as sooth any tensions. The powder is also infused with a vanilla honey flavoring. The dust is soft, with a subtle pigment. Ingredients included are: corn starch, talc, citric acid {vitamin c} and Aloe Leaf Extract.

Item #3.

Crazy Girl Oral Gel in cotton candy. Topical flavored gel designed for arousal during intimacy. The gel is ph balanced, water soluble, grease-less, and non staining which helps keeps the fragrance from being non over bearing and non sticky. Main ingredients include: water, glycerin, honey extract, and flower extract.

Item #4.

O My International Gel is specifically made for women. The gel is a topical formula designed to help the stage of arousal by increasing the skins sensitivity levels. Ingredients are: water, vegetable glycerin, grapefruit seed extract, menthol and citric acid.

All four of these simple yet highly effective items are sure to turn your next Lover's Day into a special one of kind encounter. By putting a little thought into how you want to celebrate this lover's holiday will go a long way.

Just remember, your lover will probably remember this Lover's Day longer than Valentine's Day because it's a day not everyone is talking about, and certainly a holiday that ONLY the two of you will enjoy to the fullest.

As always, a very special thank you goes out to Spicy Subscriptions for allowing us to receive these items that were included in their March 2013 Premium SpiceBox. 

For more details on how you can become a Spicy Subscriptions member and  receive a Premium SpiceBox delivered discreetly to you, please visit their website {HERE}. 

To see past SpiceBox reviews, please check out the links below: 

• January 2013 SpiceBox 
• February 2013 SpiceBox
• Special Video Unveiling of our January SpiceBox 

Now it's YOUR turn:  Did you know about Lover's Day? Now that you know this "holiday" is coming later this month, are you going to celebrate it?  Let us know in the comments! 

The Perfect pair of Prescription Eyeglasses from Selectspecs.com

Today's post is brought to you by selectspecs

I can recall wearing my very first pair of prescription glasses at the age of ten - I was still in elementary when we were given the news that I would need to wear glasses everyday for the rest of my life. Over the years I have gone through so many prescription glasses that if I were to sit down to count all the money that this has cost me, I think I would have a small fortune. It wasn't until my late teenage years when I gave up on wearing prescription glasses. I was completely fed up and decided to get my very first pair of contacts.

I loved the convenience of wearing contacts so much that I hardly ever wore my prescription glasses again. What a mistake that proved to be.

Last year, I began to notice that every time I would put on my contacts, after having them in for a few hours, my eyes would struggle to focus. Not being able to focus was annoying but it was the the itchy scratching feeling that I couldn't bare. It was awful. After complaining to my husband about it, fed up and annoyed I dragged myself to the eye doctor.

After the doctor examined my eyes I was told that I abused my eyes by "over wearing" my contacts. According to her, the blood vessels in my eyes were not getting enough oxygen due to the contacts. It was the lack of oxygen that was clouding my vision, which in the end worsened my eyesight. So, after being scolded like a child, the Doctor handed me my new prescription pointing into the direction of her assistant, who was gingerly waiting for me by the wall of shame. {Not really, but that's what it felt like}.

I placed an order for new prescription glasses that very day. When I arrived back home and after reliving my earlier experience once again when I told my husband what happened, he advised me to get online, search for a prescription eyeglass company so I could place an order for a second pair of glasses.

Now that I had been banned from wearing contacts {at least for a year or two} He told me that it would be in my best interest to order to a few pairs of glasses - this way if one pair broke or got lost I would still be able to function. Yes, I cannot function without wearing eyeglasses - I am THAT blind.

Anyway, this is how I came upon selectspecs.

Selectspecs is an online prescription eyeglass retailer. They have an array of frames to choose from. Selectspecs offers prescription glasses, sunglasses, and accessories. What caught my attention was the variety of Economy glasses that they had in stock. It took a few minutes to browse through everything they had at the time, but luckily I was able to find a pair that I really liked.

The glasses I ordered and received are sleek, classic and simple in design. These frames are listed as Icon Prescription Glasses, 2840  in black for single vision prescriptions. This particular Icon frame is thin, lightweight and is also available in Ultra Super Thin and UltraX Super Thin.

Here is a portion of their description on Selectspecs: "These fashionable specs have an arm length of 140, bridge width of 18 and lens width of 50, meaning the total width is 118 and they are compatible with Single Vision lenses. FREE UV, Anti-Reflection, and Scratch Resistant coatings are available free when you order these..."

Although I do miss the convenience of wearing contacts, I love these frames. Black frames are classic, sleek and easily match any type of outfit that I am wearing. These Icon frames are so thin and lightweight, I do not feel them on my face when wearing them. Sometimes I even forget that I have them on. One feature of these frames that I somewhat dislike, is that the frames are so thin, I am afraid that somehow I will eventually end up breaking them in half. To avoid that from happening, I usually tend to wear these frames when I am out working with clients then I place them back into their case as soon as I arrive home. So far so good - as you can see the glasses are still intact - in one piece.

One last thing that I can say about Selectspecs is that ordering the glasses was a very easy and simple process. The glasses were shipped to me in a timely manner and their overall service has been outstanding. So, the next time you or someone you know needs a new pair of prescription glasses, save yourself some time and aggravation by going straight to Selectspecs.

It's that simple.

To see the entire selection of economy and designer frames available at Selectspecs, please visit their website / facebook / twitter / youtube / blog

Now it's YOUR turn:  Do you wear prescriptions glasses? If you do, what types of frames do you like wearing? Let us know in the comments! 



Disclosure: As mentioned at the beginning of this post, these complimentary frames from our sponsor, Selectspecs, were received in exchange for an honest review. All photos and opinions are 100% my own. For the detailed disclosure for this website, please visit our Disclosure page at the top of the site. Thank you. 

Parnevu Review - Amazing Products for Natural Curly Hair

Today's post is brought to you by Parnevu

Every person that I have run into always mention how my Lil Diva's hair is so beautiful and naturally curly. This has been true since she was about 4-5 months old. One of the funniest memories I have when she was that age, was walking out of the grocery store when a lady stopped me to say that when she first looked at Lil Diva she thought I had put a wig on her. Ha! Can you believe that? Common now. Would I {or any mother for that matter} put a wig on their 4 month old baby?

Funny, but true story.

There have been many times when it seems as if Lil Diva's hair feels hard to manage. It rains, her hair frizzes uncontrollably. Some days after forming the perfect hair style, but by the time she returns from school her hair is doing what it wants. This can be frustrating - not just for me but especially for her, especially now that she is ten years old entering the "tweeny" stage where your appearance is the most important thing.

From choosing the best products to knowing what to purchase at the store, we can all definitely use a few simple steps that will help us to develop a successful hair care routine specifically for natural curly hair.

The most fundamental step in creating a hair routine is choosing the best hair products. Choosing the right products can help simplify your natural curly hair care routine. In general, curly hair requires products with a lot of moisture. You definitely need a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Some people also like to use a leave-in conditioner for extra moisture. Other products for natural curly hair care include frizz-control treatments, mousses, and gels, which are all designed to replace lost moisture and enhance the curls.

A few of the best products for natural curly hair, specifically dry hair, are from Parnevu.

Parnevu Salon Shampoo for Extra-Dry Hair is our shampoo of choice. The Salon Shampoo helps prevent hair breakage, contains natural oils which leave hair feeling moist, soft and silky. The lather produced by the shampoo is rather thick but very effective at removing any product buildup on the scalp and hair.

Next, is the Parnevu Oil Styling Lotion for Extra-Dry Hair. This styling lotion works extremely well at repairing damaged hair by leaving hair fully moisturized, soft and manageable for every day styling.

The last product is Parnevu's Leave In Conditioner for Extra-Dry Hair. As the name indicates, this creme is a leave in treatment that is formulated to repair damaged hair by deep conditioning the hair. Using the Leave in Conditioner on a daily basis helps hair regain its natural balance and shine. The formula is quite effective and can be used for relaxed, permed, dyed, and chemically relaxed hair as well.

For the past several weeks, we have been using these three (3) products ONLY and here are the results:

This is what Lil Diva's hair looks like after is has been washed with the Salon Shampoo. After washing her hair, what I like to do is separate her hair into sections and apply a small handful of the Leave In Treatment onto her hair while it is still wet. Once all of the sections of hair have the treatment on, she will put on a shower cap leaving her hair completely covered for about 10 min. Doing this step right after shampooing has made all the difference to the texture of her hair. Once the time has elapsed, I then proceed to remove any excess conditioner from her hair, if there is any.

Next, I comb her hair and begin to straighten it using a blow dry, large round brush and a flat iron. Since her hair is super thick, it needs to be separated into sections. Each section is combed through wide a wide tooth comb. Once the section of hair is free from tangles, I apply a small amount {about the size of a quarter} of the Oil Styling Lotion onto hair then proceed to dry the section straight. The last step is using the flat iron, which is an extra step but it ensures that her hair remains completely straight for a longer period of time.

Here is a view of Lil Diva's straightened hair.

As you can see in the photos, her hair is not only pin straight, but shiny and silky smooth. The products do not weigh her hair down, or make her hair super oily. Lil Diva's strands are completely moisturized, soft and manageable without the need of using additional products in her hair - ONLY the three hair care products from Parnevu.

So, would I recommend Parnevu for Extra Dry Hair products?  Without a doubt.

Lil Diva loves the end result of her hair - which makes me very happy. However, always remember that hair textures and types differ from person to person. Even after reading this review , it may take a little trial and error to find the natural curly hair care routine that is right for you - BUT DO NOT rule out these products.

To see the complete selection of hair care products formulated by Parnevu, please visit their website / facebook / twitter

4/17/2013: Special Update!!
We have a unique READER DISCOUNT just for YOU! 

Receive 25% off on your purchase at www.parnevu.com of any 3 or more products.

Use coupon code Flava25 at checkout.

Coupon valid until July 8, 2013.

Now it's YOUR turn: What type of hair care routine do you have? Any hair care tips you'd like to share? Let us know in the comments!


Disclosure: As stated in the beginning of this post, we received these complimentary products from Parnevu in exchange for a honest review. All photos and opinions stated here are 100% my own. The links in this post are NOT affiliate links. Many thank you to our sponsors, Parnevu for allowing us the opportunity to use and review their products. For a full and detailed disclosure policy used by this website, please visit our Disclosure Page at the top of website.

Literary T-Shirts and Posters by Litographs {Review}

The following review is brought to you by Litographs. All opinions and photos are 100% my own.

As most of you know, I have mentioned many times before today, that I am a die hard bookworm. I learned to read at a very young age, {about two years even before I started Kindergarten} and along with learning the alphabet, came a healthy curiosity for reading. I believe that reading a book can be more entertaining than sitting in front of TV watching how other people decide to live out their lives. {I'm not saying that I don't watch some of the reality shows, because there are a few shows that I do record on the DVR so I can catch up on them during my downtime, okay?}

Now that we have that settled, let's get back to the topic at hand: reading.

Some of my favorite authors are VC Andrews, Paulo Cohelo, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Charles Darwin {Yes, Mr. Evolution himself, although I would like to point out that he was actually a Naturalist!} and so many others. If you haven't noticed by the list of different authors, I will read almost anything with a title on it. The simple act of reading, in my opinion, allows the mind to reach past its infinite imagination while entering and experiencing the world other than the way we {the person reading the book} are living it.

With that being said, let me ask you this:

Do you have a favorite book or author? If so, would you dare to wear their book or have their book displayed in a unique way?

I certainly would. The wonderful people at Litographs actually make this possible.

Take a look at this T-Shirt pictured below:

Appears to be a simple white T-Shirt with black lettering on it, right?   Take a closer look:

If you haven't noticed it yet, those amazing black letters are actually the exact words written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, in The Great Gatsby. This one of a kind v-neck cotton T-Shirt has the entire story of The Great Gasby printed on its fabric, covering the front and back. When I saw the T-Shirt folded so nicely in the sealed bag it arrived in, I honestly did not want to open it. I was so taken back by the T-shirt it is almost indescribable.

But, for the sake of this review {and for fashion} I wore the T-Shirt...and Loved it.

The T-Shirt Gatsby that I am wearing is in size Small. It has a deep v-neck and is very fitted - the exact same way I prefer to wear my cotton T-Shirts.

Not only does Litographs take the time in printing these one of a kind t-shirts, but they also print books onto posters.

The poster I received for this review is Sense and Sensibility by by Jane Austen. Taking a closer look at the poster and reading the very first line that said: "Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (1811) Chapter One ...." I nearly fainted! The very first thing I did that evening was buy a frame for it. Now I have the entire Sense and Sensibility novel displayed quite nicely in my brand new office space.

The poster looks so fabulous I have decided to order a few more of these posters to display around the house. However, that's not the only reason why.

The founder of Litographs, Danny Fein, has partnered with the International Book Bank to send one new, high-quality book to a community in need for each t-shirt and poster his company sells. So not only is Danny Fein able to share his love for classic literature with his customers by selling these books printed on T-Shirts and Posters, he is also giving back to others who may not have had the opportunity to read these books as well.

That's what I call "paying it forward."

For a list of all the classic books that are printed on T-Shirts and Posters, please visit Litographs main website HERE.

Now it's YOUR turn? 

Go to litographs.com - browse through their selection and place an order so you too, can have the pleasure of receiving your favorite book printed on a T-Shirt or Poster as well as help the International Book Bank.

Use this special reader discount code: FITZGERALD and get 15% off at checkout. Don't forget! Come back and share what you ordered with us!


Disclosure: This review was made possible by Litographs. All opinions stated in this post are 100% my very own.