Thursday, October 29, 2015

Halloween Makeup Remover...from your kitchen

If you plans for Halloween include a lot of makeup (because it's awesome and fun and HALLOWEEN) then your plans should also include something to remove said makeup.  Now I tend to recommend items from name brands that I enjoy using however I don't want any of us using up tons of the good stuff on this project.  Enter: Coconut Oil.  I like the stuff in the jar from Trader Joe's but if you prefer someone other than Joe that's fine too.  

I suggest that before you head out on your Halloween evening that you set the coconut oil right on the bathroom counter...along with a dark towel.  This way it's right there when you get home...I'm always thinking of you my dear reader.  

Room temperature oil will be solid but will quickly melt as you gently (Key Word: gently) rub it in to remove the makeup.  Rinse and repeat as necessary...depending on how all out you went.  It will not be pretty, aren't you glad I told you to have that dark towel ready?  Follow up with your regular cleanser and a moisturizer, and go easy with your makeup the next day...give your skin some breathing room.  

Why am I suggesting coconut oil?  This guy sums it up best: "Coconut oil solubilizes or breaks up water-resistant substances used in eye shadow and mascara, releasing them from the skin and lashes," says cosmetic chemist Joseph Cincotta. And unlike a lot of traditional eye-makeup removers, it'll even leave your skin softer and younger-looking: "It's great for your skin, because it moisturizes and smooths," says Cincotta.  From Allure

Hope you have a very happy Halloween! Cheers.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Halloween Reads: My October Picks

Halloween Reads

 
These are the stories that I've been reading this month to totally be one with the holiday spirits.
  1. The Lady and Her Monsters: A Tale of Dissections, Real Life Dr. Frankensteins, and the Creation of Mary Shelley's Masterpiece by Roseanne Montillo A lot of background into Mary Shelley's life and the science of the times.  Would totally recommend!
  2. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley  After reading up on Mary, I had to read the story that brought her fame...which was originally published with as an writer Anonymous because who would think a woman could write such a thing? I really liked reading about Mary first then reading Frankenstein...but whatever order you choose is fine too. (PS: this title was available for free on my Kindle). 
  3. Dracula by Bram Stoker: This for me moved a little slowly, I need to remind myself that this was written before TV and movies...but overall it felt good to read about some early day vampires (you know before they got all sparkly and Hollywood).  (PS: another bargain as this title was under a dollar on Kindle)
  4. The Unauthorized Story of Walt Disney's Haunted Mansion by Jeff Baham: My least favorite read of this list...and it had so much potential.  It's got some decent trivia but it's so unorganized it just isn't worth paying for...luckily I borrowed this one for free.  Oh well, you win some you lose some. 
Happy Halloween...and as Elvira says "Unpleasant Dreams" 

Sunday, October 18, 2015

ULTA Spa Day

We get our ULTA catalogs every month.  Every month they have their specials for their salon and spa.  This month I decided to give it a go.

The one I went to didn't have a treatment room, just a small sectioned off space on the main floor.  No worries for me though if I can relax in a class full of people I can relax just about anywhere.  My skin therapist was super nice, we chatted for a bit about schools and such.  She had a very nice touch, gentle and relaxing.  


As far as Dermalogica goes, she used some items from their Ultra Calming line and some from their Age Smart line.  My skin is a little sensitive (it gets red very easily) and I tend to be more dry.  She gave me my face chart to show me her analysis of my skin which is awesome because it tells you exactly which product were used. My favorite product of this skin care session was the Age Smart MultiVitamin Power Firm for my eye area (and a little on the lip area). 

If you haven't checked out your local ULTA for their spa services it's worth looking into.  I think that finding a good skin therapist is a lot like finding the right hair stylist and manicurist.  You've got to try out a few (or a lot) to find the right one for you.  Overall, it was a really good experience.  

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

4 Tips to improve your Resume

These last few months have been spent taking classes at International Dermal Institute to prep myself to enter the working world of Esthetics and Skin Care.  It has been great to be able to take some classes without having to take off of work.  I'm just about ready to start sending out my applications and resume (I have just a couple more classes lined up that I'd like to take).  

Throughout this period I have been working on my resume, so I was happy to attend a Resume workshop at IDI.  I actually had a chance for a couple of recruiters to look at my resume and make some notes.  For those of you out there looking for a job let me share a few tips I learned. 

  • When you are applying online always be sure to include a cover letter, it's more necessary now than it used to be.  That being said, because you have the cover letter you no longer need the "objective" line on your resume.  
  • No need to add "References available upon request" as if you are filling out an application...you'll have your references listed anyway.
  • Send a thank you e-mail to your interviewer.  In the past I have sent a thank you card, but it was pointed out that sometimes the interviewer is pressed for time in making their hiring decisions and e-mail arrives faster. (You can still send a thank you card).  
  • If you are e-mailing a resume be sure to be specific in your subject line.  Include information like position you are seeking and location if applicable...Recruiters have a lot of e-mails that just say Resume...make yours stand out.
I hope these help you.  Hoping these tips help me too!




Monday, October 12, 2015

Continuing my education...this time with M'Lis

Last year at the Long Beach Spa Conference I signed up for the M'Lis certification course.  I then went back to work and worked and worked and was not able to get to the course.  Fast forward to last month where I dug through my e-mails and asked the M'Lis educator if I still qualified to take the class...she said yes and today I headed down to Long Beach.

I don't know about you but I really like body treatments.  Whether it be an Infrared body wrap keeping you all toasty while you watch some Netflix or being all frosted up with contour cream and wrapped up in plastic.  I like it, can't really explain why...I just find it very relaxing.  

Bonus being that with the M'Lis wrap you lose inches.  Get wrapped up for 45 minutes and lose some inches...easy.  I also like that besides the wraps they do put a lot of focus on health/wellness.  They are really about taking care of yourself from the inside out. They are more than their wraps, they are all about resetting your body (through a cleanse...which I'm not quite ready for) and with supplements to keep you functioning at your best. 

I love taking all these different classes.  I really wish that taking classes could be my job. Oh well. 

Ps: Want to try an Infrared wrap near San Dimas? Try Infrared Body Wraps.
Care to try a M'Lis Body Contour Wrap? Click here for locations


Thursday, October 8, 2015

Trader Joe's for your fingers and toes

You just never know what you'll find at Trader Joe's.  Actually right now if you go you'll find pumpkin spiced everything...but that's not what I'm here to tell you about.  

My amazing find happened in their skin care section.  For a while now I've been trying to get my cuticles in to shape (I have a bad habit of picking at them...which just makes them look worse).  I would also like to continue wearing flip flops as long as our weather in southern California will let me (so yeah, pretty much year round).  Enter: Trader Joe's Head to Toe Moisturizing Balm. I've been using it every night for my hands and feet and in the last week there is a noticeable (to me) difference in how much softer my heels are and how much better my cuticles appear to be.  If you need a little more moisture anywhere else it's also supposes to be good for chapped lips, dry elbows and flyaway hairs.  About $4 for a 2 ounce tin and No Animal Testing.  Yay!


Another little bonus from Trader Joe's you can use in your nail routine...Coconut Oil Spray.  I painted my nails and when they were mostly dry (right about the time you touch something and make a mess of your manicure) I sprayed a light mist of the coconut oil on them and they are smudge free.  

Monday, October 5, 2015

Being Wary of Awareness

Is it me or does it seem that October is like Everything Awareness month? I'm not complaining, being aware of causes and conditions is overall a good thing.  It just feels like all I'm hearing lately is that it's National ______ Awareness Month!  

The big one is Breast Cancer Awareness and the sea of pink we will find ourselves in throughout the month of October.  Again, awareness is a good thing and finding a cure would be amazing.  My only word of caution would be to be aware of where your charitable donations are going. (For instance, you wouldn't want to purchase a $50.00 pink ribbon product only to find out that $0.50 goes toward finding a cure right?)

(ps: this pic of Mitch is also my laptop's background)
Animal wise it's also Adopt A Shelter Dog Month and National Pit Bull Awareness Month.  Shelter pets are a cause near and dear to me...just ask my dog Mitch.  A great thing about shelters is that you can donate items that are needed directly to the shelter (blankets, toys, treats and much more).  I love that Best Friends LA has an Amazon Wishlist where you can send them items they really need directly.  As far as Pit Bulls go, I have to admit that the majority of my education has come from Animal Planet's Pit Bulls and Parolees show...they too have an Amazon Wishlist or options to sponsor a dog (Click here for a direct link to their site).

Awareness good...just do your research.  Here are a couple of links that breakdown info on different charities:

In case you were wondering October is also (but not limited to) being: Eczema Awareness Month, National Bullying Prevention Month, National CyberSecurity Awareness Month, National Fire Prevention Month, Eye Injury Prevention Month, National Physical Therapy Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and National Down Syndrome Awareness Month.  There are many more causes out there, this was just a small sample.  

What causes are near and dear to you?  Please share in the comments and help spread the word! 



Saturday, October 3, 2015

Carry all...all that I carry in my bag

what's in my bag
I love flipping through a magazine and seeing a "what's in my bag" article.  I don't know why other peoples bags fascinate me so much but they do.  Hopefully this interests you too, otherwise you are not going to enjoy this post. 


  1. My bag itself is generally from a TJ Maxx or Ross...I go for the pleather/man made faux leather. 
  2. My wallet is a little Betsey Johnson that I picked up at a Nordstrom Rack forever ago...also a big fan of Target wallets.
  3. Lush Lip Service Lip Balm, I have about five of these floating around my life at any given time.  I use it throughout the day to keep my lips soft and I also use it for my cuticles occasionally. 
  4. Nars Lip Gloss in Orgasm.  I love this pink with a little orange shimmer. I'm not one for a bold lip color (as much as I love it on others) this one is just pink enough.
  5. Hello Kitty Band Aids, you would not believe how handy it is to have a couple of band aids on hand.  Not just for myself, but to hand out in a very minor emergency...best part being when a guy needs a band aid and I offer up Hello Kitty.  
  6. Eminence Tea Tree & Mint Hand Cleanser...this has a fresh minty scent and feels moisturizing as well.  Sometimes menus just seem a little iffy.
  7. Nail file...I try to keep one handy (heehee handy) just in case of a snag.
  8. Tweezers, because sometimes you have a couple of minutes in the invisible bubble of your car and that rear view mirror catches every stray brow.
  9. NYX Blotting Paper: another small just in case item.
  10. Pill box, I try to carry a couple of migraine meds...because there is nothing worse than a migraine. Nothing.
  11. A fan, I picked up a pretty one for a couple of dollars a while back and it has more than paid for itself.  Baseball games, Monster Truck shows, waiting rooms...just bring a little breeze you can bring with you. 

Thursday, October 1, 2015

My current go to hair style

half up top knots

When I pull up my hair in a ponytail or messy bun-like-thing I am made very aware of how fine my hair is.  That is why this is my current go to, a little up and a little down and very very easy.  Easy is what I need, there is a reason that I didn't go into Cosmetology.  This style seems to work well with every type of hair too (long/short/thick/thin).

My hair is stick straight too, if I add a little wave with a straightener/flat iron I use a little hair spray to make it stick (not sticky).  I use Jason's thin to thick **(very light scent, light hold).  If I'm on day two (or three) hair I also use a little dry shampoo too (fave being Lush's No Drought).  I love this dry shampoo...a little goes a long way and I've had this current bottle for a long time.  I only wish it came as a shaker.  

**A note on Jason's hair spray: Shop around, some prices are better than others.