How to Use a Beauty Blender Sponge

It's not very often that a new beauty product that is so simple makes such a huge difference in the makeup world.  Although the beauty blender sponge has been around for almost 10 years now, it's getting a surge in popularity.  If you want a flawless foundation, this is the tool to get it without using an expensive airbrush machine.  It's versatile, so you can use it for foundation, self-tanners, moisturizers, primers, and serums.  I'll admit that when I got my first one, I wasn't sure how to use it.  Here's how to use a beauty blender sponge and some more tips so you can get the most use out of it.

Cute Plus Size Clothes for Women

Do you have trouble finding cute plus size clothes for women? It doesn't need to be as hard as it seems. The key is to find styles that are classic and flattering to your size and shape. Don't think that you can't pull off certain things because you wear plus size clothing. As long as you know what fits and flatters you, you can pull off pretty much any look you are going for and look absolutely amazing in the process. Here are some great tips for finding cute plus size clothes for women.

Gifts From The Heart–Free Printable Coupons

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Heart Truth®. All opinions are 100% mine.

Friends, it’s time to talk about something very serious, something that’s very dear to my heart.  Heart disease.  Heart disease is the #1 killer of women, so you’ve probably been affected by it in your life directly or indirectly.  This month, The Heart Truth is working to not only raise awareness for heart disease but to help women take preventative action against heart disease.  This topic is very important to me because my grandmother was ill for several years due to complications from heart disease.  Last year, my mother fell ill too.  She spent the better part of six months in the hospital due to complications from heart disease and some procures that she had done.  Those are my genes, friends.  I’m scared.  I also have a daughter, so I want her to realize that heart disease is serious and it’s never too early to take preventative measures.  To make it easier for you to The Heart Truth’s mission, I created some cute printable cards for you to gift to the special women in your life.  You could give them to your mother or grandmother, but don’t forget about the younger generation too.  Your friends and your daughters will also benefit from living healthier.

Fizzing Bath Salts Recipe

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

My regular readers probably know that I love to upcycle.  I have an Etsy shop where I sell my upcycled projects because I make way too many things to keep for myself.  I scour thrift stores, looking for dejected pieces that others have cast aside and no one wants.  I bring them home, make them pretty, and give them a new life.  When I saw the new Diet Coke Kaleidoscope IT'S MINE glass bottles, I knew that they would be perfect for upcycling.  I wanted to make some fizzing bath salts, so I decided to use the Diet Coke bottle for a pretty container to store my bath salts. 

How to Clean Your Makeup Brushes

Thank you Dove for partnering with me on this post. Visit your local retailer to pick up the Dove White Beauty Bar today!

I love beauty products that serve more than one purpose.  It saves me money and storage space, which is always at a premium.  I use my eyeshadow to fill in my brows so I don't have to purchase a powder just for my brows.  I use my flat iron to create beachy waves in my hair in the summer.  And I use the Dove White Beauty Bar as a body wash and to wash my makeup brushes.  Keep reading for a product that serves double duty for your skin and your makeup brushes.

The Best Lighting For Applying Makeup + Giveaway

You could have the best makeup skills, tools and products, but if your lighting is bad, chances are your makeup will look bad. Your foundation may look perfectly in your mirror at home, but when you catch a glimpse in the rear view mirror, you may find streaks.  Colors can even appear different when you apply your makeup in artificial light versus natural light.  That's why I love my OttLite for applying makeup.  Keep reading for some times for the best lighting for applying makeup and one of my lucky readers will win an OttLite Natural Daylight LED Flex Light of their own!

How to Use Color Correcting Concealer

Last month, I posted an in depth article about Concealer 101: The Different Types of Concealer.  It has all that you need to know about the many different types of concealers and some recommendations of my favorites ones.  I did talk about color correcting concealer a little bit in that post, but I think it deserves its own post because many women are confused on how to use then and which color to choose.  Keep reading for how to use color correcting concealer and my top picks for the best ones.

Top Tips for Perfect Teeth - Some Might Surprise You!

Like most teenagers, I did my time with braces.  My experience was a little different because I was 16-years-old when I got them on and already a freshman in college and a junior when I got them off.  Since I was a little older, I appreciated the process—and the expense—a little better than younger kids do.  I knew exactly how much my parents spent on my braces, and I knew that it was important that I take care of my newly perfect smile.  When I moved out on my own, it was important to find dental as well as health insurance so I could keep my teeth healthy.  I didn’t want to be faced with expensive dental treatments that I couldn’t afford and risk losing two years of pain, so my husband and I have always have good dental insurance.  Keep reading for my top tips for a perfect smile and more information about dental insurance.

Homemade Peppermint Lip Balm Recipe

I love the cool tingle of peppermint lip balm, especially in the winter.  Peppermint essential oil is said to help heal chapped lips, so this is really a great recipe for winter.  My kids constantly lip their lips, no matter how many times I tell them that this is what causes the red, chapped lips!  This helps create a barrier while it heals and protects.  I usually make a double batch of this so we can stash them all over the house for the kids.  Do your kids lose lip balm as often as mine do?  I have no idea where it goes.  It's there one day, gone the next, and back again the next day.  This peppermint lip balm recipe will make 10-12 lip balm tubes or about 5 one inch lip balm pots worth of product.

Taking Care of Yourself + Giveaway

This post was sponsored by Nature Made® as a part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central.

As moms, we spend more of our day take care of everyone else.  I take care of three kids, my husband, the house, and the pets every day.  If you'll notice, I forgot one important person: Me!  I should automatically think to take care of myself, but I don't.  I used to feel guilty about taking time for myself, but I'm working on that.  My kids are getting older, my youngest is now 8-years-old, so they don't need me as much as they used to.  Now, I can sneak away for a few hours to get my hair done or even shut myself in my bedroom for half an hour to collect my thoughts without worrying about the kids getting in to things.  One of my goals for 2016 is to take care of myself better.  Keep reading to see how I'm doing it.

10 Beauty Products Every Women Should Own

Friends, have you walked in a Sephora lately?  Talk about overwhelming!  There are so many different types of products, and each product type comes in different brands and colors.  Unless you have unlimited money, how do you know what you have to have and what you can get by without?  I know I've had certain products in my makeup kit for many, many years because they are timeless and I always have a need for them. I may buy different brands or shades, but I'm never without that product.  Keep reading for the 10 beauty products every woman should own.

Keratosis Pilaris Treatment + Giveaway $195 Value

When my daughter was just a baby, I noticed that she had small bumps all over her face, arms, and legs.  They seemed to get worse in the winter, especially when she went outside in the cold air.  My older son also had these little white bumps, but he outgrew them as a toddler.  My daughter, however, never outgrew them.  She's eight-years-old now, and she still has them on her face, arms, and legs.  She gets a lot of redness on her face, especially in the winter.  I asked our pediatrician about them, but she had no idea what they were.  Since they didn't itch or seem to cause her any discomfort, we didn't pursue it any further.  I started using different creams and lotions on her and bathing her once every three days to help her skin.  That did help, but the bumps were still there.  Finally, I stumbled upon keratosis pilaris on the Internet.  After looking at the photos, I was confident that was what she had.  I started to use the keratosis pilaris treatment options that everyone mention, mostly using products with lactic acid, and they did help.  Emmaus recently sent me their products, and I was really excited to see how they work on her skin.

Chamomile Infused Hot Oil Recipe for Dry, Damaged Color Treated Hair

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

I've been dying my hair since I was a teenager, much to my mother's dismay.  I used to dye my hair the brightest colors that I could get away with at home.  When I got older, I toned it down a little and stuck with shades of brown closer to my own natural color.  Then I started getting it professionally colored with brown all over and blonde and red highlights.  I love my hair colors, but color treated hair takes extra work to take care of, especially if you're a busy mom who can't get to the salon every 4 to 6 weeks.  Keep reading for a new way to cover your roots and a chamomile infused hot oil treatment that will keep your color treated hair looking and feeling amazing.

NeuEnergy Update + Contest

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of NeuEnergy for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

Earlier this month, I introduced you to NeuEnergy, an energy supplement powered by blueberries and caffeine.  Just two chewable tablets gives you hours of energy with no sugar, calories, or crash when it wears off.  NeuEnergy sent me some product to try, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.  My regular readers know that I’m heavily involved in the community, and we just started a colossal project—completing a community center.  I’m on the crew to get it ready for the opening, and it’s been a labor of love.  Keep reading to learn more about NeuEnergy and our progress on the center.

Pink Sugar Scrub Cube Recipe

It's February, which means it's time to get all pink and lovey and pretty.  Last year, I posted an easy pink sugar scrub that was a big hit on Pinterest, and it was even featured on some cool sites.  This pink sugar scrub cube is very similar, but I like the presentation for something different.  I used the same fragrance oil for both recipes because I am in love with it.  Seriously.  It's amazing.  I know several of you ordered it from my other scrub, so be sure to back me up on how amazing it is.  It's like cotton candy with a hint of musk.  I could bathe in it.  I have bathed in it.  You'll love it.  Keep reading for the recipe and where to buy the famous Pink Sugar fragrance.  

Meaningful Beauty Product Review

This post was sponsored by Meaningful Beauty as part of a Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.

In December, I introduced you to Meaningful Beauty, a skin care line from Cindy Crawford.  My first impression of the line was very positive.  The set includes seven products for both morning and night that cleanse, protect, revitalize, and firm your skin.  This was my first time using a skin polisher, and it made all the difference.  It gently exfoliates, which left my skin glowing.  Keep reading for my Meaningful Beauty product review.