Ladies: Don't Skip These Steps to Maintaining Your Ride #CambioConfiable

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.      #CambioConfiable #CollectiveBias 

As someone who heavily relies on their vehicle for absolutely EVERYTHING, maintaining my vehicle in good working condition is a huge priority. 

I've had my Avenger for about 2 years now and I honestly would not be able to function without him.(If you're wondering, my Avenger goes by the name of Thor - seems fitting, right?) 

It is because of Thor, I'm able to drive my daughter to her bus stop every morning, drive to my client appointments, go to networking events and basically, take care of all my daily needs - both business as well as personal. 

Now, I know for a fact that I' am not the only person feels this way about their vehicle, today I wanted to share a few steps that I have learned to do over the years in order to keep my ride in good driving condition. 

DON'T SKIP THESE STEPS TO MAINTAINING YOUR RIDE

1. Get Routine Oil Changes 

I know the thought of driving your vehicle to a shop to get a routine oil change may seem like a daunting experience, but in all honesty - this is a crucial step. 

Ideally you want to get an oil change at least once a year. I say "ideally" because this will differ from person to person. In my case, I take Thor for his oil change on average every 3 to 6 months. That may sound like it's done too often, but for someone who drives an insane amount of mileage on a weekly basis, it actually works out well. 

Since I'm the only one who drives Thor, it's my responsibility to get this done when I'm able to fit it in my schedule. Earlier this week while driving home from a client appointment, I stopped by a Walmart Auto Care Center.  

The entire oil change process took no more than 15 minutes. In addition to changing the oil using Quaker State Advanced Durability Motor Oil, they also checked the filters and tire pressure. Overall, the service was excellent, quick and painless. So, the time your vehicle is in need of an oil change, go to your nearest Walmart. You'll thank me for it. 

2. Check Both Pump + Air Filters Regularly 

This step goes in unison with getting the oil changed. While the mechanic is under your vehicle, you should go ahead and ask them to check the filters. This is important because if your filters are extremely dirty, or broken this can cause improper filtering throughout the vehicle.  

3. Check The Tire Pressure 

Tires that are not properly filled can certainly effect the way your vehicle drives. I try to do this at least once a week while pumping gas at my local gas station.  BTW, if you do not feel comfortable doing this, you can ask the mechanic at Walmart Auto Service to do it for you while they change your oil. 

4. Check Your Oil 

In between oil changes - at least once a month - checking the oil levels will tell you if the vehicle is running low on oil. Every car has a long "dipstick" used for this. Just pull it out, wipe it clean with a rag and insert it into the oil reservoir. By looking at the oil levels, you will notice if you need to add a quart of oil or not. If you do have to add oil, unscrew the oil cap and pour the oil inside using a funnel. 

5. Wash Your Car 

This step is self explanatory. Keeping your vehicle clean inside and out, will not only make you feel good but it will also make you look good while driving to work, school or while running daily errands.  

And trust me when I tell you, feeling + looking good will make all the difference while you're going about your daily routine. 

I hope you find these steps to maintaining your ride helpful. As independent women, having a running reliable vehicle is extremely vital. Your vehicle gives you a sense of freedom that most of us (myself included) take for granted.  However, by just taking a few preventative measures, you can ensure that your vehicle will never let you + your family down. 


Ladies, now it's your turn:  How do you maintain your ride in good driving condition? 

Summer Skin Care Tips For Radiant Skin

When summer weather arrives, it's only natural to want to get out and enjoy the sun's glorious rays. But as much as we love the look of sun-kissed skin, it's extremely important to protect your skin to keep it looking healthy and youthful.

Take into consideration the following summer skin care tips and you will be well on your way to enjoying everything the summer season has to offer.

TIP #1: 
Make sun protection part of your daily routine. It's one of the best long-term investments you'll ever make. UVA rays are strong year-round and UVB rays are more intense during mid-day, spring and summer. Wear a moisturizing sunscreen on your face year-round, preferably with an SPF of 15 or higher. Choose a vitamin-enriched lotion that won't clog pores.

For a list of sunscreen recommendations, check out the following article: Six Sunscreen Products for Your Face 

TIP #2:
Want that summer glow without damaging your skin? A sunless tan is quick, easy and provides beautiful results. Two sunless tanner products I recommend are:  L'Oreal's Sublime Bronze (target.com, $9.99) and Ulta Instant Bronze Sunless Tanning Mousse (ulta.com, $12.99).  Apply these at least once a week. If you reapply too frequently - for example every day - the results may look unnatural.

TIP #3:
It's important to remember another important step in keeping your skin in tip-top shape: exfoliating. Whether it's before you apply a sunless tanner or after you've been dipping your toes in the pool, exfoliating helps produce a smoother surface and keeps your skin looking toned.

Removing dead skin cells from the top layer of facial skin with a scrub cleanser not only gives a smooth surface for applying a sunless tanner, but also enhances the penetration of moisturizers. 

TIP #4:
Follow your shower or bath with application of a moisturizer, especially after you exfoliate. Use moisturizers specifically designed for body; they tend to have richer emollients. Spray moisturizers are particularly convenient to use on bare legs in the summer.

TIP #5: 
Finally, don't forget toning. Toners are an excellent way to remove residual dead skin cells, dirt, oil and makeup. In hot weather, try keeping a bottle of toner in your refrigerator and apply to your neck, inside your wrists and inner ankles for an immediate cooling effect.  We recommend: Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herb and Rosewater (ulta.com, $7.00)




Do You have any summer skin care tips you'd like to share?  Let me know below! 

3 Tips on Caring for Your Everyday Clothing #LongLastingScent

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LongLastingScent #CollectiveBias 

When it comes to clothes, we all have those certain pieces of clothing that instantly become our favorites. You know... that one denim shirt you love wearing because it fits every curve of your body just right - or that one long maxi dress that is so comfortable walking in.

Its pieces like these that we wear the most. Wouldn't it make sense to take good care of them, so they last us longer? 

Here are my top 3 tips on caring for your everyday clothing: 

PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE LABELS 

Probably the most basic of all these tips, but it's also the most overlooked. I always recommend reading the labels on every piece of clothing you purchase. With so many different fabrics and textiles used for fabricating clothing, each fabric will have it's own specific care instructions. Following those care instructions to the "T", will help make sure that you get the most wear from your clothing. 

This is the tag on the inside of my maxi dress - By following these simple care instructions this maxi has lasted me 5+ years. 

WASHING SENSIBLY

One important part of caring for your clothes is washing them. As a general rule of thumb - always sort clothing. The most common way to sort clothing is into whites / darks (black, dark blue, dark gray) / light colors. A second step to sorting is to separate the clothes that produce lint from synthetic fabrics. This should be done because synthetic fabrics typically pick up lint - which is a pain to get off.  If you wanted to take washing clothes one step further, you could also turn the clothes inside out before washing. This will aid in preventing the fabric colors from fading. 

I always wash clothing like this denim shirt and maxi dress as well other synthetic fabrics inside out in cold water. This helps maintain the true colors of the fabric without fading. 

ADD THAT SPECIAL TOUCH

Other than using a basic mild scented detergent to wash your clothing, adding in fabric softener and in-wash scent boosters will add that special touch on your clothing. 

There is one brand that I highly recommend you use as your laundry in-wash boosters:  Suavitel® Fabric Conditioner  and  Suavitel® Fragrance Pearls™  

I cannot even begin to tell you how long I have been using Suavitel® laundry products; but if I had to give you a number it would be 25+ years.  I was probably in my late teens living in my apartment located in downtown Barranquitas, Puerto Rico when I used their liquid fabric conditioner for the first time. 

My all time favorite laundry combination is : lavender scented laundry detergent + Suavitel® Fabric Conditioner  + Suavitel® Fragrance Pearls™  both in Soothing Lavender.  

On my most recent shopping trip, there were no bottles of the Soothing Lavender fabric conditioner so I purchased Morning Sun instead. 

True enough, you could just use the fabric conditioner alone, but the overall scent factor would not be the same. Adding in the fragrance pearls will give your laundry 5x longer lasting fragrance vs washing the clothes with just detergent and softener alone. 

In my honest opinion, the scent of lavender infused laundry is so calming and soothing. 

I have literally chosen not to use anything else - unless I can't find them in the store where I am shopping at - but, even if that does happen, I will gladly drive to the nearest Walmart to buy them. 

Side Note: If you are among those who are not fond of lavender infused scents, Suavitel® Fragrance Pearls™  also comes in a second scent: Fabulous Field Flowers. 

Caring for your everyday clothing can sometimes be a pretty involved process that takes a little time and effort.  but, using these three basic tips will definitely help make it worth your time. 

Do you have any tips or tricks when it comes to caring for your clothing? 

My Four Morning Routine Essentials + One Must Have Item

My Morning Routine Essentials + One Must Have Item 

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. This articles content and images are mine alone.  #McCafeMyWay #CollectiveBias 

Years ago, when I worked in the corporate world my mornings were pretty much "robotic" - nothing about my morning routine was, let's say, special.  My mornings were literally like the phrase,"same thing, different day." 

It wasn't until a few years ago that I learned to truly enjoy my morning routine. I will admit, most of it is because now I work for myself, but I still have a family to take care of and a house to run, so making the most of my mornings is essential, no let me take that back; making the most of my mornings is crucial - not only for my survival but for theirs too. 

So, what are my four morning routine essentials and one must have item?   

PREPARATION IS KEY  

That's right. I prepare for my morning the night before. I always make sure that my coffee mug (I love that owl - crazy eyes and all!) is placed under the Keurig with a spoon right in front and a bag of McCafé coffee is right next to it all. You maybe wondering why I buy the premium bag vs the pods. Well, the pods do not last more than a few days because we are heavy coffee drinkers and at least with the bags I don't have to run to the store that often. 

Making sure that at least this part is taken care of, makes it easier for my next essential. 

RISE AND SHINE 

Believe it or not, the more time you have in the morning, the less time you'll actually need to get your day started. I learned this the hard way.  Now I make sure that I am the first one up at the crack of dawn (this is why preparing the "coffee station" beforehand is key) with nothing but my morning brew, iPad and headphones. When the house is this quiet, I have found that sipping on my first cup of McCafé while listening to a meditation app, helps center my thoughts, allowing me to schedule my entire day more effectively. 

NO FUSS BREAKFAST 

Having the extra time to myself makes it easier to decide what to have for breakfast. By this time, on most days, the hubs has left for work and lil diva is at school.  For the most part, I tend to eat something that is relatively quick, like a smoothie or a bowl of fruit. Lately, with the temps being on the cooler side I just make a bowl of farina, drizzle a little almond milk on top with a side of McCafé Columbian coffee and I'm good to go! 

MID-MORNING "ME TIME" 

Confession: This is not exactly a part of my morning routine, but it is something that I do religiously - every day, which makes it an essential. 

Once I have handled the most important tasks of my work day (fulfilling/shipping orders, answering emails, drafting articles, taking photos, ordering inventory, etc.) I make it a point to walk away from the office. Some days I will lie down and take a nap.  Other days, I will make a fresh cup of McCafé Colombian coffee, grab one of the latest fashion magazines I have laying around or a book that I may be reading, and just chill.  

Sometimes doing a "mindless" task like skimming through a magazine is exactly what I need to spark my creativity. After a while, my mind is racing with ideas and I'm feeling ready to get back at it. 

ONE MUST HAVE ITEM

Let's see how observant you are. Did you notice what my one must have item is?  Yep, my one all-time must have item is Coffee. 

What coffee have I been drinking as of late?  For the past few weeks, I have really be enjoying the flavors of McCafé Coffee. Of the eight flavor options, my two go-to flavors are Colombian and Premium Roast. As you can see, I like my coffee served completely naked (no milk or creamer) and semi-sweet. My first cup is always the Colombian since it is medium dark and stronger in flavor that the Premium Roast.  

There's nothing better than the smell of 100% Arabica Beans brewing in the morning - who am I kidding? That glorious smell draws me in any time of the day. 

If you are a coffee drinker, you should really try the new McCafé Coffee. The coffee is available at many local retailers, including Walmart. You'll find the McCafé Coffee Premium bags and pods in the coffee aisle. 

Hopefully my four morning routine essentials (+ one must have item) has inspired you to make the most of your mornings. I know from experience that mornings can be a drag, but trust me when I tell you, doing any of these essentials will help make your morning routine less stressful and more enjoyable. 

Do you have any tips or morning routine essentials that help you get your day started? 

Supercharge Your "Me Moment" With #MullerMoment

SUPERCHARGE YOUR "ME MOMENT" WITH #MULLERMOMENT

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions stated in this article are 100% my very own. #MullerMoment #CollectiveBias

Whether you're a freelancer, student, stay at home mom, career woman or someone who runs their own business, there is no doubting the fact that you work hard - all day - everyday. So, what does every hard-working woman (or man) need on a daily basis? 
 
A "Me.Moment".

As someone who runs their own online business while suffering from anxiety, I can tell you first hand that making a conscious effort to having a "me moment" throughout the day has made a huge difference, not only in my demeanor, but in the way I choose to handle any situation that arises.

For years, my "me moment" consisted of taking a walk or lying down for a nap. These did help me out, but as time moved forward, I have found new ways to supercharge my "me time".

The following are my top three ways I like to supercharge my daily "Me Moments":

1. GRAB A BOOK  

As a child, I would go to the library only to come home with both arms filled with books to read. I can recall staying up until the early hours of the morning reading...and reading. 


But, as I transitioned into adulthood working in the corporate world, reading for pleasure became practically non-existent. This was the case for years - up until now. 


I have made it a personal goal to read for at least 30-45 min every day. Some days it's a struggle, not because I don't have the time, but because I don't want to put the book down!

2. BE ARTISTIC

Every year around school time, I tend to purchase extra boxes of colored pencils, crayons, and markers. My excuse is always the same, "these are the backups..you know..just in case". Not true! The extras are for me. I keep them hidden in our "studio" {aka storage room} along with my favorite coloring books.

On those days when I feel myself over thinking, over analyzing or just in a mental frenzy, I immediately stop what I'm doing, walk downstairs to the studio sit down at the table and color. There's something extremely calming about stroking a colored pencil or crayon onto white paper. Within half an hour or so, my mind has completely slowed down allowing me to regain my focus.

3. SWEET TREAT

One of my favorite sweet treats to indulge in is yogurt. Yogurt is EVERYTHING. There are so many flavors and varieties to choose from, I never get tired of eating it! 

Recently, on a quick shopping trip to Walmart I went to the dairy section looking to purchase some yogurt, I came across the Müller® Ice Cream Inspired Yogurt. 

I picked up three: Raspberry Chocolate Chip, Mint Chocolate Chip and Vanilla Bean. 

*If you are interested in seeing a demo for Müller® Ice Cream Inspired Yogurt , a few select Walmart Supercenters will have one during Feb.5 - 8th.

All three flavors are quite delicious - they taste similar to ice cream but without the guilt.

The thing I appreciate the most is that the yogurt itself is easy to travel with. I've been known to walk around the office/house eating my yogurt for a mid-morning snack or take one with me when working outside of the office.

Sometimes, you can find me sitting on the back deck with my feet up on the bench with a cup of Raspberry Chocolate Chip
Müller® Ice Cream Inspired Yogurt  indulging ..... and loving every second of it.

 

I truly hope that after reading the three simple ways to supercharge your "me moment", you feel inspired to take a little more time off for yourself. I realize at first it can be hard to do however, just like everyone else, you are a person with needs - one of them is dedicating some "me time" to yourself to de-stress, gather your thoughts and just relax.

YOU.DESERVE.IT.

I've shared my favorite "me moment" activities; I would love to hear about yours! Leave a comment below sharing how you like to spend your "me time".

Boost Your Mood with Small Changes

Sometimes as the seasons change, so do our moods. Personally, I would have to say that this happens to me quite often. I have noticed that during the warmer months, my mood seems to be at its peak; to such an extent, there really is not too much you could do that would bring my mood down.

Is that something you can relate to?

If this sounds all too familiar for you, then hopefully the tips shared in this post will help you as much as they have helped me. I have found out that making small changes to my everyday habits, has made a huge difference in my ability to maintain a positive mindset.  Not to say, that I don't have "bad" days, because I do!

However, with that being said, there are more happier days than not.

Here are four daily habits that have certainly helped me gain control of my moods:

Take a time out and go for a power walk

Ever since I started my business, I have learned to take a time out by simply "walking away" from a situation that I know is going to ruin my day. To give you an idea, let me give you an example.

Last week, I decided that I wanted to add a new page to this blog {the Blog Sale page to be exact}. My idea was to upload a photo gallery of products that would be of interest to you and that were available for purchase. Well, unfortunately for me, I am "tech impaired" so as you can imagine the morning hours were spent researching tutorials on how to get a photo gallery uploaded onto a page. Do you know that after several hours, what seemed to be an easy task quickly turned into an aggravating situation? Yep. I was so livid, I screamed "F&^K You!" to my laptop and walked straight out of the office; not returning until much later during the week.

Now, your situation will be completely different, but I'm sure you get the point - Just walk away...

Don't be lazy. Eat more fresh, whole foods

By this, I am referring to limiting the type of snacks and food that we consume during the day. Over time, I never really put too much thought into it, but after eating snacks that are high in sugar or that are processed foods, my mood drastically goes downhill. Yes, at first you feel a "high" but once that wears off - BEWARE!!  So, the easiest way to change that is going to the market and stocking up on fresh fruit and veggies.

Go easy on the cafe. Try a little green tea instead

I know you are probably rolling your eyes at this suggestion {Girl, I did the same thing!} but trust me on this one. Green Tea is known to have "theanine" in it - this has been found to help release the "feel good" brain chemical, serotonin.

I'm not suggesting that you stop drinking coffee all together. Heavens NO!  Just the opposite: Limit the amount of caffeine you consume during the day, by drinking green tea instead.


Sit down and remember the good ol' times

In my opinion, this last habit has been the most life changing. All you have to do is this:

Every night (I mean E.V.E.R.Y. night), sit in a quiet place with a pen and notebook in hand. Write down at least, three good things that happened during your day. If by chance, you cannot recall any happy moments, then write down three things that you are grateful for.

Not only will this habit help remind you of all the bright spots in your life, it will also come in handy on those days when you need to remind yourself of how truly blessed you are.

At first, some of these habits will appear as if they are not helping, but keep in mind that practice is key. The more you try to weave these small everyday choices into your daily routine, the quicker you will be able to say "Ah, Buh-Bye" to those not-so-happy moments.


Now it's YOUR turn:  How do You try to turn around your mood? Share your tips with us below!


photo credit: we heart it

Natural Remedies and Beauty Tips to Improve #ALLERGYFACE #AD

This post is part of a sponsored campaign on behalf of Latina Bloggers Connect and the makers of ZYRTEC®

About a month ago, I wrote a post giving you a few tips that can help those of you who like me, suffer from #ALLERGYFACE.  If you are wondering what "allergyface" is, let me break it down for you: Allergies affect not only the way we feel, but the way we look. There are so many women who suffer from symptoms that can be thought of as beauty challenges such as a puffy face, red nose, and watery eyes. These are three most common types of #ALLERGYFACE.

In that first post, I shared six smart tips that can easily help anyone combat these types of beauty challenges. You can read more about these tips, HERE.

Following suit, today I wanted to give you a few more natural remedies along with a few easy beauty tips that can help hide #ALLERGYFACE. 

Let's start with these natural remedies:

1. Keep a COOL HUMIDIFIER - set your humidifier on cool to help rid the air of allergens. The water from the humidifier will stick to the allergens in the air causing them to become heavy enough that these will fall to the floor rather than remain floating in the air just waiting to be inhaled. (sounds gross, but unfortunately this is true!)

2. Take VITAMIN C - In order for Vitamin C to be effective, most people need to take around 500mg of vitamin C, at least twice a day. My recommendation on this one is to consult this with your doctor first. If the doctor says it's okay, then give it a try - you should begin seeing results within a week or so.

3. Get yourself a big bottle of APPLE CIDER VINEGAR - you can drink it if you like, but I was thinking more along the lines of rinsing your hair with it instead. Try using 1/2 cup of ACV with 1/2 cup of water at least twice a week during allergy season to rinse out any allergens that may have fallen onto your hair while being outdoors.

4. EAT MORE FRUITS & VEGGIES - There are quite a few allergy fighting foods that you can eat to help tame those allergies from the inside out : citrus (oranges & grapefruit), berries and cherries, dark colored grapes, and apples.





Now that you a few natural remedies to try, let's talk about the different ways you can hide #ALLERGYFACE :

1. EYE DROPS - using eyedrops should become the very first step in your beauty routine. Dropping a few eyedrops to puffy eyes as soon as you wake up will help your eyes become whiter and much brighter by th time you begin to apply your makeup.

2. Put it on ICE - after using eye drops, grab an icecube or two, and rub them around your face. Make sure to use a gentle touch when doing this! Using icecubes will help alleviate a puffy face.

3. CONCEAL REDNESS - no one who suffers from allergies wants to walk around with a red nose. There a few simple ways to cover this: apply a little dab of Aquaphor onto your nose. Follow this by applying a yellow or green concealer to hide the redness.

4. Always, Always, KEEP YOUR BRUSHES CLEAN! - this tip cannot be stressed enough. Using a "dirty" makeup brush is the worse thing you can do if you suffer from #ALLERGYFACE. Bacteria is known to harbor in brushes and sponges. Clean ALL of your makeup brushes (and sponges) with either makeup remover or a igual mixture of antibacterial soap and olive oil.

For even more tips, check out this video Embracing Your Natural Belleza Latina with Carmen Ordoñez from VivaFashionBlog.com on YouTube (HERE). 

In this video, Carmen shares simple tips to help You look naturally beautiful when battling ALLERGYFACE. For example, she advises to "apply navy blue or cobalt mascara to help the whites of your eyes appear brighter". This will help to reduce the appearance of watery eyes. 

Once you get into the routine of using these natural remedies, then you can start planning on how to "hide" those telltale signs of allergyface. Just because we have to go through allergy season, doesnt mean that we have to let the whole world see it!

Visit ZYRTEC® on Facebook at Facebook.com/ZYRTEC to learn more about how to combat ALLERGY FACE™.

Now its Your turn: Do you use any of your own natural remedies or special beauty tricks to hide your #ALLERGYFACE? Please share them with us in the comments!


Disclosure: This post is part of a sponsored campaign on behalf of Latina Bloggers Connect and the makers of ZYRTEC®. All photos and opinions posted here are 100% my own. To see a full disclosure used by this website, please refer to our DISCLOSURE page at the top of this page. Thank you! 

photo credit: we heart it

Fall Beauty Trends and Healthy Skin Tips using Neutrogena #NTGbeautifulInsideOut #Ad

This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect and NEUTROGENA.

Fall Beauty: Smoke Signals by latinflavadesigns featuring Neutrogena

During these last few days of August, all I have been thinking about is how much fun transitioning into the upcoming Fall season is going to be. I truly love summertime and the heat, but there are two Fall beauty trends that I cannot wait to wear again in the next few weeks:

Classy Smokey Eyes -

I cannot help it. I am a die hard smokey eye fanatic. I cannot wait to wear a dark smoked out eyeliner. So, once the temperature gets a little cooler, I will be bringing out a few powder shadows and eye pencils in black, brown and dark purple.

TIP: Use both eyeshadow and eye pencils in similar shades to create a velvety look. Just dip an angled brush into the powder, then go over the line you created on your eyelids using the eye pencil. The final touch is to smudge out the color with a dry brush.

Dewey Pink Blush - 

Blush is one of those makeup products that once applied, it automatically brings life to your face. Wearing a flesh-toned pink blush looks more natural on the skin, especially during the crisp Fall weather. For me, the easiest way to get this “flushed” look, is by applying a cream blush in pink, followed by a swipe of  Neutrogena's Healthy Glow Blush & Bronzer Duo in Rosy Glow.

TIP: When using a cream or gel blush, apply a powder blush in a similar shade on top. This will prolong the wear of your blush for an all day romantic look.


I am sure that there will be more beauty trends that I will end up trying, but even before thinking about what makeup I will wearing, I always make sure that my skin care routine is helping my skin stay clear from breakouts.

In order to keep my skin (which is oily and acne prone) clear, I have been using Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash. This wash is gentle but very effective at deep cleaning pores while treating breakouts with every use. I tend to use this wash immediately after removing any dirt or makeup with Neutrogena's makeup remover cleansing towelettes.

TIP: Neutrogena's Oil Free Acne Wash contains salicylic acid, an ingredient needed for acne treatment. Although the formula is gentle for everyday use (morning/night), anyone who may be allergic to aspirin (such as myself) should limit their use to once every few days.

Right before going to bed, I always take a few minutes to apply an anti-aging serum or lotion. Neutrogena's Rapid Wrinkle Repair moisturizer is lightweight (will not clog your pores) yet helps remove the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The consistency is perfect – not too thick or too watery.

TIP: Make sure to apply your night time serum/moisturizer to your neck and chest area. The neck and chest area tend to show signs of aging before our faces do!

By the time morning arrives, my skin feels soft, supple and looks refreshed. After washing my skin, I am then ready to sit down and work on my makeup. On most days, I only need three products:

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer 
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid makeup in natural beige 
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Brightening Eye Perfector in light.

TIP: The best aspect of these three face products is that each contain SPF. Most people are under the impression that SPF is only need in the summer months, but that is not true! You need to protect your skin from the sun every day! 

Once I have applied these three essentials, I am confident that my skin is radiant and ready for any type of beauty trend I choose to wear for that day, no matter what season we are in.

I hope you found this article helpful. A very special thank you to Latina Bloggers Connect and Neutrogena for supplying us with these amazing products! 


Now it's YOUR turn: Are there any Fall Beauty Trends you are excited to wear? Do You have any tips on keeping Your skin healthy during the seasons? Let us know in the comments!

Back to School : Five Tips to a Better Shave

This past Monday we started a "back to school" mini-post series where we shared our top five tools of the trade that every student needs to have in their survival beauty kit. If you missed it, you can read all the details by clicking on this title: Back to School: Beauty 101: Tools of the Trade

In the spirit of keeping these posts short and sweet, here are our 5 tips to a better shave:

1. Exfoliate - this is the best way to prevent ingrown hairs. Exfoliating will clear your skin from dead skin cells before shaving. Tip: Try this DIY scrub: 2 tbsp pure honey, 2 tbsp olive oil (or coconut oil) and 4 tbsp granulated sugar (or brown sugar).

2. Soften - the ideal time to shave is when you are taking a shower (like you didn't know that one, right?). For best results, soften your hair/stubble with warm water for about three minutes before breaking out the razor.



3. Lather - contrary to belief, using bath soap to shave is a HUGE mistake. Bath soaps even hair conditioners can clog your razor as well as dry out your skin. Instead do this: layer a shaving lotion or gel onto skin. Tip: if your skin is super sensitive, use grapeseed oil as an alternative.

4. Skip the Scents - it is imperative to AVOID all of the following: fragranced creams, deoderants (yes, you read that correctly: deoderants), and perfumes for at least an hour after shaving. The only product you should apply immediately after shaving is an unscented lotion to seal in the moisture.

5. Stay Calm - every once in a while after shaving your skin can feel "burned" - when this happens, it's time to pull out a bottle of Mylanta. Pour a little bit onto a cotton pad placing it directly onto the razor burn for at least five minutes. Another calming regimen is placing a slightly chilled, damp chamomile tea bag onto affected area - this will help calm any swelling.


Please keep in mind that all of these tips can be applied to all body areas that are being shaved - not just your legs! Taking the extra time and effort in following these five tips will help you become a shaving mastah!

Enjoyed these tips? Check out these two other related articles for even more tips:


Avoiding Common Under Arm Blunders (Part I)
Avoiding Common Under Arm Blunders (Part II)


Now it's Your turn: Do you have any tried and true tips for shaving? Let us know in the comments - or facebook - or twitter ... We want to hear from YOU! 



{photo credit: Image courtesy of marin/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net}

How to Achieve the Perfect Bridal Makeup

Although the official summer season is close to its end, there is one event that will continue moving forward into the Fall and Winter months:

Bridal Season.

A few weeks ago, we started a series of bridal related articles where we shared skin care tips as well as a few suggestions on what you could wear if you were attending a wedding this summer.

1. Beauty Tips for Brides
2. Skincare Tips for the Bride-to-Be
3. Apricot Collection - Wedding Guest Edition

To finish our bridal series, we will be offering You a few more tips on how to achieve the perfect wedding day makeup.

• If you are having a facial done, make sure it is at least two weeks prior to your wedding.
• If your skin is prone to breakouts, see your dermatologist 3 or 4 months before your wedding.
• Staying hydrated is important to keeping you looking refreshed. Drinking lots of water will also flush out impurities from the skin.
• Eyebrows should be shaped 5-7 days before the wedding. Be sure not to pluck on your wedding day because you could land up with unattractive red bumps that are difficult to cover.
• On your wedding day blend your makeup well and let set. You do not need extra makeup to please the camera that's a myth.
• Choose a lipstick that lasts. Apply just prior to walking down the isle. Go easy on the lip liner. Line and fill mouth with a neutral pencil to make lipstick stay on longer.
• To lengthen wearing time of your lipstick, apply a light layer of powder over your lipstick then apply another layer of lipstick.

• If you are doing your own makeup, see a beauty consultant and purchase your make up at least 3 months in advance. Then practice until you've got the perfect makeup.
• Waterproof mascara is a great idea just in case you get a little weepy.
• A very light application of facial powder will set your makeup.
• Keep your powder, mascara, and lipstick in your purse so you can freshen up at a moments notice.
• If you discover that dreaded pimple on your wedding day, do not squeeze it! Just apply a few drops of Visene to get the red out, cover with concealer, and apply foundation.
• Avoid glittery or dewy looks - these are not very receptive for photographs and you may come out looking oily or too shiny.
• If your wedding is outside be sure to apply sunscreen BEFORE applying your makeup.
• Water based foundation looks most natural in photos.

• For eye contouring, apply a dark but neutral in the crease of the eye. You can line the upper and lower lids (optional) with brown or grey shadow, smudging the outer corners. If you need to make your eyes look wider or brighter, use a white pencil to line the inside of the lower lids.
• Don't get too much sun before your wedding. Sunburns, peeling skin and tan lines can sabotage your special day.
• Make certain your wedding photographer is "not" using grainy film, because no matter how good your makeup is, with grainy film it will not look good! Instead, make sure your wedding photographer is using high quality film so your photos can do your wedding makeup some justice.
• For your makeup to look good in your photos, it must be completely matte and in neutral tones. Add color by applying makeup in pastels - these shades look soft and pretty. Try to avoid glitter, shimmer and frosted eye-shadows.
• Shine is the #1 enemy for photos. Have a few blotting sheets available in the event your skin feels a little oily.

And....there you have it. An entire list of easy, yet very important, tips to help you have the perfect wedding day makeup. After all, it's your day! You deserve to look absolutely beautiful!


Now it's YOUR turn: Do YOU have any bridal tips that you would like to share? Let us know in the comments!!

Searching stock photo by www.pixmac.com