Save on Spring & Summer 2015 Makeup Trends

This post is sponsored by ShopAtHome.com and links included may be affiliate links, which means that I earn a small commission.  As always, all opinions are my own.  

Mother Nature seems to be taking her time bringing spring to Ohio this year.  We have temperatures in the 40s and 50s with a few days in the 60s, but I know that warmer weather is coming soon.  I like to change my hair and makeup for the warmer weather.  I already got my hair done and went with a lighter shade of brown and lighter blonde highlights in anticipation of summer.  

DIY Makeup Brush Cleaner Recipe

If your face is breaking out or getting irritated, it might be your makeup brushes.  Dirty makeup brushes can cause skin irritation and acne, and they can also alter the color of your makeup if you use several colors with the same brush.

I posted a DIY spray makeup brush cleaner to use each time you use your brushes.  I also like to deep clean them once a week or every two weeks, depending on how often I use them.  This recipe is easy and makes quite a bit of brush cleaner.

If you're not convinced that you need clean makeup brushes, then read this article about why you need clean makeup brushes.  Yuck!

DIY Makeup Brush Cleaner Spray

This DIY makeup brush cleaner spray is easy to make.  Spray your brushes after each use to sanitize them to prevent breakouts.  

When was the last time you cleaned your makeup brushes? I have to admit that cleaning my makeup brushes doesn't usually cross my mind.

Although it doesn't really take long to clean them, they take forever to dry. I don't really want to get another set of brushes, so I started using this DIY makeup brush cleaner spray because it's easier and quicker to use. It's easy to make, easier to use, and it dries quickly.

Last week, I posted about all the nasty stuff that can happen to your brushes if you don't clean them regularly. You'll definitely want to check it out because I know that you'll want to come right back here and make this DIY makeup brush cleaner spray.

Strengthening Cuticle Oil Recipe #SkinnyCowMoments

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

The last two weeks have been crazy for me!  Saturday I had an all day event with my son for scouts, and next week is going to be just as crazy.  Sunday was my only free day in two weeks, so I took some much needed time for myself after church.  My husband agreed to keep the kids occupied for an hour in the afternoon so I wouldn't be interrupted.  

It's been a while since I had time to do my nails, so that's what I decided to do for my hour alone.  I have a homeschooler and work from home, so I don't get an hour alone at home very often.  Actually, I haven't had time alone at home in two years.  Along with painting my nails, I exfoliated and made a cuticle oil recipe because my cuticles are still dry from the brutal winter.  

Is your hair thick or thin?  Mine is very, very thick.  It's almost impossible to style sometimes because it is so thick.  My mom has very, very thin hair, which is almost impossible to style sometimes too.  Luckily, once you learn some tricks, your hair will be a lot easier to style.

Some cuts and styles are better suited to thin or thick hair, so it's important to know which one you have.  With my mom's thin hair, there are cuts that she wants, but she can never pull off. Likewise, I have to be mindful of the styles I want because of how thick my hair is.

THIN HAIR VS THICK HAIR

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THICK HAIR AND THIN HAIR?

You might think that your hair is thick if you have a lot of hair, but that's not necessarily true.  Thick or thin hair doesn't refer to the density of your hair.  It refers to the actual width of each strand of hair.  Density refers to how close the hair follicles are to each other on your scalp.

So yes, it is possible to have thin hair and still break ponytail holders because your hair is dense.

HOW TO TELL IF YOU HAVE THICK HAIR OR THIN HAIR

Telling the difference is easy.  Just take one strand of hair and look at it.  If it' thin, you have thin hair.  If it's thick, you have thick hair.  If you're not sure, ask your stylist or compare it to a friend's hair.

To check for density, just look in a mirror.  If can see parts of your scalp, then your hair has a low density.  If you can't see your scalp, you have a high density.

I actually have both thin and thick strands, one from each parent.  My thick strands are curly from my dad's side, and my thin strands are super straight from my mom's side.  I have more thick strands than thin, so I consider my hair to be thick.  I also have a thick density.

THICK AND THIN HAIR PROBLEMS

Both hair types have the pros and cons.

If you have thin hair, you probably have to redo your ponytail or hair clips constantly because they just don't hold.  Your hair might also get greasy if you use the wrong conditioner.  Your hair probably won't hold a curl, either.

If you have thick hair, it can take forever to dry.  Even blow drying your hair can take a long time!  You will also have problems with hair accessories but that's because they just aren't big enough for your hair.  (I really like these longer hair clips because they hold better.)

TIPS FOR THIN HAIR AND THICK HAIR

Luckily, there are some easy tips that you can use to help you deal with your hair.  Use a salt spray on thin hair to give it more texture.  You can use it all over or just where your hair accessory will go.  If you blow dry your hair, flip your hair over and blow dry from the underside for more volume.  Use products made for fine hair to help give your hair volume.

If you have thick hair, try adding layers so your hair doesn't look too full.  I get mine thinned.  When it grows out, it still looks natural.  Longer styles are a good option because the length adds weight that pulls your hair down to tame it.

THINGS TO AVOID

If you have thin hair, try to use a lot of product because it weighs down your hair.  Also don't cut your hair in layers.  If you use conditioner, apply it just at the ends.

For thick hair, don't wash your hair every day.  You want your natural oils to condition your hair.  Use a good brush.  My favorite is the Wet brush.  Try to avoid blow drying your hair because it will add volume.

View Interactive Version (via CoolBlades ).

Restyle a T Shirt With A Stencil and Bleach + Free SVG File

Some of my regular readers know that I love to make things.  I don't just make soap and beauty recipes; I love to paint and distress vintage pieces and do paper crafting.  I got a Silhouette Cameo for paper crafting, but then I discovered that it can cut vinyl.  Then I found out that I could cut vinyl to make stencils to make my own shirts designs.  Now instead of donating my old shirts, I can upcycle them to create custom shirts.  Keep reading to see how I made owl shirts using a homemade stencil and bleach.

Earth Day Giveaway! Win $112.95 derma e® Green Beauty Products Ends 5/20

The information in this post are sponsored by derma e.  As always, all opinions are my own.

I am so excited to offer you a chance to win $112.95 worth of derma e green beauty products!  Derma e is a natural skin care line.  They are vegan and cruelty-free.  They are also free of mineral oil, lanolin, gluten, GMOs, sulfates, and parabens.

Derma e is a family owned company that has been in business for 30 years.  They specialize in antioxidant, vitamin-rich skin care.  Even their manufacturing process is green, and they are 100 percent offset by wind power.  

Why Clean Makeup Brushes Are Important

Allergic reactions, redness, acne, and sparse eyelashes have one thing in common: dirty makeup brushes.  Even if you wash your face faithfully twice a day every day, you are putting bacteria and germs right back on your face.  

You should clean your makeup brushes regularly, but how often is regularly?  That depends on what products you use and how you store your brushes.  If you use liquid foundation or shoot oversprayed hairspray on your brushes, then wash them twice a week.  If you don't wear makeup daily, then you might be able to go once a month.  

Keep reading for the gross facts about what can happen if you don't clean your brushes often enough.

What's in My Purse?

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

Ladies, what's in your purse?  What are the things that you just can't leave home without, besides your wallet and checkbook?  I have several items that I need.  Sometimes it requires skill to cram them all in my purse.  I'm a mom, so of course I also have crayons and toy parts in my purse as well.  Anyone else find their purse getting heavy and find a rock collection inside?  Just me?  

How to Fake Fuller Lips

Full lips are sexy and flirty, but unfortunately, we weren't all blessed with fuller lips.  Injections can get you temporarily plump lips, but they are painful and expensive.  What's a girl to do? Fake fuller lips!

Read on for some makeup tricks to make you look like you were blessed with the full, pouty lips you have always wanted.

Hair Brush 101

Have you walked down the hair care aisle lately?  There are a myriad of brushes available, and they are all basically the same thing: a handle with bristles.  Do you need a flat brush?  Round?  Boar or synthetic bristles?

Do not fear, dear readers, I'm here to teach you Hair Brush 101.  After this post, you'll know how to pick the right brush for your hair type and style.

5 Tips for Restful Sleep

Disclosure: I am part of the PTPA Brand Ambassador Program with Restonic, and I received Compensation as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

How much sleep did you get last night?  Most people need 7.5 to 8 hours of sleep each night, but some people need a little less or a little more.   I definitely need a little more than 8 hours to function properly.  If I get any less than 8 hours, I'm not pleasant to be around the next day.  I'm not a good mom, I can barely form a coherent thought to write, and I don't have the motivation to clean the house.

I used to have the notion that getting a full eight hours of sleep was a luxury.  It's not; it's most definitely a necessity for me.  When I get enough sleep, I am a much nicer mother and wife, and I'm more likely to do fun things like bake cookies and form complete sentences.

Sound familiar?  Then read on for my top tips to getting a good night's sleep, and see how I'm going to improve my sleep over the next month.

5 Ways to #RecycleYourPeriodPad

Ladies, it's time to talk about something important.  No one wants to talk about it, but it affects 1 in 3 women.  Yes, I'm talking about Light Bladder Leakage (LBL).  Most women wear period pads, but they are thick and bulky.  Who wants to deal with that day after day?  Poise has products that are made for LBL, so they are more comfortable for daily use.  So what do you do with your stash of period pads now that you have a better product?  Read on for 5 ways to #RecycleYourPeriodPad!

5 Ways to #RecycleYourPeriodPad