All-Natural Make Up Remover Wipes

Okay so the majority of us ladies wear make up. Whether you wear a lot or bare minimum it is still a pain to get off! So you head to the local store to pick up a bag of make up remover wipes that cost a FORTUNE, and last a month, at most. Not to mention most of the brands dry out my face or make it too oily. What a waste of money I thought? Since I have been really into a "homemade" kick, not necessarily homemade cookies cakes and buns.. But more along the lines of cleaning supplies, beauty products etc. I haven't gone off the deep end and started making my own shoes or anything like that. The more and more I find myself looking for alternatives to high-priced, over-packaged, chemical-filled stuff. Sure it is economical but I like the feeling of accomplishment. 

After a little research I have found my own DIY homemade all-natural make up remover wipes! Also the cost is nearly more than half of what you spend on the store bought brands. All you need is a sealed tall jar, coconut oil, water and tea tree oil.

Some interesting facts I came across about using coconut oil for make up removers is that coconut oil contains Luaric Acid, which has natural antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-fungal, antibacterial, soothing, etc properties.

The process is SO simple that I am not even sure you need a "tutorial". 

 

Photo Cred: One Good Thing

All you need to do is take a full paper towel and cut it in half, and place it in a containing soaking in 4 cups warm water, 1-2 cups coconut oil, and a couple drops of tea tree oil. I like to let it sit for a couple hours or even over night before using. Just to make sure the paper towels are very moisturized and soft. 

Photo Cred: One Good Thing

Yup... It is THAT simple! I'm obsessed and in love with these that I even decorated my container to match my bathroom. Soon I'll share on how I did that with all of you, so stay tuned!

*** Tip: mix all your ingredients in a measuring cup first, mix well and then add to your paper towels. ***

DIY Instant Dry Nails

I haven't brought Olivia with me to go get our feet done just yet. Not that I am against toddlers getting their nails painted but because I can't justify spending $15 or more when she will instantly going to ruin them. I have painted her toe nails at home but they last for maybe a couple hours, a day if I am lucky! Lets be honest. After spending a half hour to 45 minutes on getting your nails or toe nails done you want them to last and look perfect. Being a mom I instantly break a nail or my toes get messed up that day. There has to be a SOLUTION!

I have tried the cold water method. Where you put your nails into iced water for a couple minutes and they are supposed to dry. Yes it is true they do try but they peel almost instantly. Finally I came across this gem on Pinterest (of course). 

Pam! You know what you use to spray your pans with before cooking?! I know what you are thinking but it really does work! First clean your foot and paint your toes or nails. Simple right? Then spray the Pam onto your wet nails and let it sit for a minute or two. Wash your feet or hands and WALA! Perfectly dried nails. I ended up using this method on Olivia and after a WEEK they are still perfectly painted! If a toddler experiment doesn't prove it to you, I don't know what will! 

Victoria Secret's Punch Drunk

After my recent post about our fun Saturday, I got a lot of feed back on my make up. I don't normally get that glamoured, especially after becoming a mom. It is easier with one kid when they are infants to get all beautiful, but the second they can start moving it starts to become a sport. Balancing your baby while putting on make up is down right HARD! Anyways, I wanted to feel like myself again and actually do my make up. Not thinking people would notice, THEY DID. Not sure to be embarrassed by it or flattered. Either way I wanted to share with you one of my favorite beauty products.

I should clarify; I do always wear make up, but the amount I put on depends on the day. The average day I have foundation, eye line, toner, mascara, and blush. Simple. (Maybe even too basic). Ever since I went to beauty school and saw all the girls rocking these beautiful, fierce lipsticks I gave it a shot. I never thought I looked good in lipstick and thought it was way too over the top on casual errand days. Boy, I was wrong! Even wearing my simple make up routine, when I added some color to my lips, everywhere I went I got compliments. Ladies even if you aren't the over the top make up user, always add some color to your lips! The results and confidence booster you will receive will instantly remove that fear.

Lately I have been into bright colors; reds and pinks. I found this gem from Victoria Secret when shopping for a bra. You know they put those little purse items on the stands as your waiting to be rang up (dang you marketing people). Out of boredom I started to check out what they had. They have several different colors but this one I found was calling my name. It is their "shine drama lip gloss" and the color is "punch drunk." Not too bright of a pink but draws the eye to your luscious lips. I'm obsessed. I probably wear this lip product the most. My review is medium in weight, you do know it is on. It does come off when you eat or drink, and I do find myself reapplying throughout the day. BUT for $5 I don't expect it to stay on all day.

DIY Cellulite Scrub

The dreaded word cellulite that us ladies NEVER want to hear. Well I hate to be a negative nancy but every woman will have cellulite on their body by the time they reach 40. Having a 'mom' body (where I actually have hips now) I joined the cellulite club. I've tried a couple expensive creams but they haven't done much improvement. I hate when people will just say to you "go work out." Um... I run 5 days out of the week on top of yoga multiple times a week. Guess what?! It is STILL there! Being in my mid 20's I was mortified but after doing some research I found it to be quite the norm.

Back to the store bought creams. First they are expensive. Second you go through them super fast! Third it doesn't work! It did reduce the appearance but as soon as I stopped using them it came right back. I wanted something that would permanently work to help at least minimize the appearance, or if it couldn't fully get rid of it. Then I came across this DIY cellulite scrub with simple ingredients and let me tell you, AMAZING! Ladies this works! And you can find these ingredients in your house. Cheap and effective, just how I like it! First I'll tell you how to make it and then afterwords I'll explain why it works.

Ingredients

1/2 Cup of Ground Coffee
1/4 Cup of Sea Salt
1/4 Cup of Brown Sugar
1/4 Cup of Olive Oil (Not coconut oil because at low temperatures it hardens)

Directions
Mix all the dry ingredients first. Then add slowly, while stirring, the olive oil. Put your scrub in a clear container; I used a mini mason jar (Click Here). Works out great! While you are showering, apply some of your scrub onto your upper thighs and bum in a circular motion. Then rinse with warm water. Do this about twice a week and you will see a huge improvement fast!

The importance and why fresh ground coffee works so well. Caffeine in the coffee reduces the redness of the skin. It also firms and tightens the surface of your skin through constriction, that is why it reduces the appearance of cellulite. Coffee even is effective for promoting circulation, preventing from cellulite to form. A lot of spas use coffee as apart of regiment. It is highly effective! TRY IT, what do you have to loose? Beside that cellulite!

Recipe credited to paluaparrish

A Natural Way To Correct Dark Spots

Summer is coming to an end (booo) and lets face it, I didn't wear enough skin protection. Did you? After pregnancy and the summer sun my face is suffering from a couple dark spots. First thing I did was go to a local thrift store and picked up a dark spot corrector. I've never used one of these before and thought this has to be simple. The smell was terrible! OMG. Which led me to look at the ingredients (thinking I was putting pure bleach on my face.) Little behold, it had hydroquinone in it. For those of you who don't know what that is let me tell you... In most skin lightening creams it is their most common ingredient. It has been linked to cancer and, ironically, ochronosis, which is known as SKIN DARKENING. Yikes! With a little research I came across a natural way to get rid of sun (dark) spots.

With two kitchen cabinet ingredients and about five minutes, you can start the skin lightening process to naturally reduce dark spots for good! Probably one of the easiest and simplest natural beauty DIY I've tried and it really works!

Ingredients
Lemon
Raw organic honey

Instructions

1. After you wash your face with your normal face wash, cut your lemon in half. 
2. Remove any of the sticking out seeds
3. Hold half of the lemon with your hand and rub the juice all over the sides of your face. (Avoid your eyes!)
4. Leave lemon juice on your face for 5 minutes or less. Much less if the stinging is too much.
5. Rinse off
6. Because lemon will dry your skin, apply honey. (You don't just want to reduce brown spots, you want to help fade the end-of-summer dry skin wrinkles too, right?)
7. Leave the honey on for as much as 20 minutes.
8. Then rinse off. 

Honey has antiseptic qualities as well, which means it helps to clear up breakouts. Bonus!! You will see a big difference after the first use, with how soft your skin will feel. I started to see a difference of my dark spots within a week. Depending on the damage it might take a couple weeks. Oh and try not to eat the honey off of your face... Just kidding! (But no, really, don't eat it). Hope this helps!

Resource credit to mommygreenest

Everyone Should Oil Pull!

This new thing called "oil pull" is becoming very popular and more people are hearing about it. But what they don't know is oil pulling is an ancient method for detox and rejuvenation. Very simple, with quite remarkable results! So what is this mystical and exciting vibe around it? What is it exactly? And what does it do? I'm going to tell you in a (coco)nut shell:

Oil pulling is not what you are probably thinking. It involves coconut oil. To oil pull, simply swish coconut oil in your mouth; similar to the way you would use a mouthwash. This can be done anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes. The process attracts and removes bacteria, toxin, and parasites that live in your mouth. And also pulls congestion and mucus from your throat; which loosens up your sinus (which is amazing!!!) With the help of your saliva, all these scary undesirables bind with the oil, ready to be disposed of.

I'M NOT DONE YET! Pulling also helps re-mineralize your teeth and strengthen your gums by thoroughly cleansing the area. AND whitens your teeth naturally!

How to start? Scoop 1/2 to 1 full tablespoon of oil into the mouth; if it's cold, allow the oil to melt. Now push, swirl, and pull the oil between your teeth. Allow it to touch every part of your mouth except your throat. You don't want the oil getting in contact with your throat because it is now carrying somewhat toxic material. Do NOT gargle! Then spit into the toilet or trash can, not the sink; it can clog the sink!

You will experience a result after the first time you oil pull. You will be blowing your nose and clearing out your throat; you will be amazed how quickly this happens! I began pulling to benefit my gums and teeth. My gums strengthened, and teeth became so much whiter! In the past, no matter how much I would brush, or floss I would always end up with 'bad' teeth. The dentist hygienist actually recommended looking in to this. It has been about six months and the dentist confirmed how much healthier my gums are! The first week it did make my teeth sensitive but then quickly got used to it. Some actually help with the sensitivity, and some said it made there skin clearer and more vibrant. (Which my acne cleared up and haven't had an outbreak since.) Everyone MUST try this!

Resource credited to mindbodygreen