Did You Know You Could?: Dye Your Brows

So I want to start a new series called, "did you know you could", all about things, get this, that you can do but people didn't know. Mainly because I learn new things everyday about the beauty industry that I didn't know we could do. Like sleep in some conditioners. Hey, who would have thought?

And since I'm all about sharing my insider knowledge, I'm happy to share these small tidbits of info as well.

So...did you know you could dye your eyebrows?

I've known this for a while, but I still talk to at least one person a week that didn't know you could. Or they imagine some awful black dye job when they asked for light brown. But I assure you, both are not true!

You can in fact dye your eyebrows and not only that, they make special color just for them! I myself and partial to the auburn as I try to appear as ginger as possible.

Brow tints are quick services, lasting only a couple of minutes. And most of the time it's around a $15-20 charge. You can't really beat that. Especially if you have blonde brows. Because then you just look like you don't have any. And well, that's not very fun.


Ask your salon about brow tints today!


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My Thoughts on Beauty

Last week, I was playing on the internet, a common occurrence if you must know, and I found this article.  The article is about Kristen Stewart, who up until yesterday I wasn't a big fan of. When asked why, I never really had an answer. I would say things like, "she's just so awkward," "was it really necessary for her to say those things about paparazzi?" But then I read the things that the lovely Kate Spencer had to say about her in that article, and I thought, wow, could I have been more of a jerk?

All of the things that I held against Kristen were things that I value in myself and in my friends. Individuality. Speaking your mind. And it got me thinking about beauty and how it has changed. 

I look at these models in magazines or online and I instantly find I'm comparing myself to them. It is an impossible task. I almost have to tell myself that they aren't real women. They are plucked and tweaked and pulled in so many directions that the person is hardly recognizable beneath. Just watch this Dove Real Beauty video.  

But you know what? It's hard. It's hard to tell myself that it's okay to have a pimple or to have gained that extra 4 pounds during Christmastime (I mean come on, who can resist all those cookies?). But I almost don't even care about that anymore, what I'm more worried about is my future children...or my friends children. How can I expect my daughter to believe me when I tell her she's beautiful when everything around her tells her she isn't? 

The only thing I can do is hope. But I think we're on the right track. Magazines have been coming out saying that they won't do excessive photoshopping, or that they won't use models who are too thin. It's a step in the right direction and I couldn't be more pleased. Then there are role models in Hollywood who are more real than starlets have been in the past. Not only Kristen Stewart, but people like Jennifer Lawrence (I think I've heard her talk about peeing in every interview she's had) or Emma Stone. 

I actually think Emma summed up what I hope everyone one day sees. She said, "But that you’ll continue to harness your own originality and what makes you unique 'cause I know that when you’re a teenager — sometimes when you’re an adult — what sets you apart can sometimes feel like a burden and it’s not. And a lot of the time, it’s what makes you great. "

Emma. You're awesome. 

And so are you guys. So make sure you embrace it. 

**All views and opinions are that of the author's**

How To Tuesday: Topsy Turvy Ponytail

We're going back to the basics today. This is probably the easiest tutorial I have posted, but that's okay, because sometimes it's the easy stuff that gets overlooked and never explained. So here you are, the ponytail of choice for young girls, the topsy turvy.

Friday Link Love 6/22/2012

• InStyle helps us solve the 20 most annoying beauty problems. 
• Take note of these ways to help prevent hair damage. All great tips!
• I love infographics. Look at this one of the top 10 exercise myths. 
• Beauty products have been around for awhile, but they haven't always been great for you. In fact, some of them could be pretty bad. 
• These photos made me cry. Almost every single one of them. "You will suffer, but you're going to be happy about it."
• Will one of you try these amazing summer manicures? Seriously, who has that much talent?
• Armpit stains are the worst, but apparently they don't have to stay! yay!
• Thank God most of the fashion trends have been buried. R29 shows us trends that went viral, buts shouldn't have. 
• Cut your nail drying time down to 3 minutes! 
• If "Sex and the City" was on TV today, how it would be different. 
• Lauren "Flawless" Conrad shares her summer beauty secrets. 
• On you're lazy days, try one of these no-fuss hairstyles.
• And on a more exciting note: 98 Degrees in reuniting!  No everyone pray to the boy band gods for N'SYNC. 

I'll be out of town next week, so I need you guys to keep an eye on the internet and email me any links worthy of Link Love!  

Soft, Kissable Lips

No one looks at dry, cracked lips and thinks, "those I want to kiss." Kissable lips are soft and moisturized and puckered. And come on, that's what we all want...just in case we ever happen to run into Chris Hemsworth on the street, we'll be prepared.

These lips say, "I know you can't take your eyes off me. Just go ahead and do it already."

Tips for your perfect pout:

1. exfoliate. every morning after brushing my teeth I brush my lips off as well. but you can try a scrub if you don't want to do that. 
2. moisturize. but be careful what you reach for. some lip balm (even the medicated kind) will just dry out your lips to keep you coming back. look for things like petroleum jelly, petrolatum, white wax, paraffin wax, and mineral oil and make sure you stay away from them.
3. color. a pair of colored lips always draws the eye. so pick your perfect shade, or have someone help you pick it, but whatever you do, make sure you have a go-to color!

What are your soft lip secrets?


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The Truth About Oily Skin

It sucks.

That is all.

Okay, okay. I'll tell you  more.

The oil on your face is caused by sebaceous (suh-bay-cious) glands. It's when those glands become over-active that you start to see too much oil. It's a natural healthy lubricant for your skin, but I know from experience that too much can be a bad thing.

Although, the plus side is that typically because your skin is constantly being lubricated, oily skin tends to wrinkle less. So that's a plus.

But sometimes it seems like the downside of clogged pores, blackheads, and build up don't really makeup for that. So here are a few tips to help in that time need.

• wash your face. I know it may seem silly to say, but oily skin gets oilier when it's not washed. I have to wash my twice a day or I'm a greaseball. 
• moisturize. It's not counter productive. Your oily skin could be because your skin isn't getting enough moisture, so your glands are producing the oil at a faster rate, thus making you oily. But make sure you use a oil-free moisturize.
• mattify. I use two types of mattifiers. One in a primer, and then one over my makeup. The oil on my skin makes my makeup come off faster than other people's, so I use a mattifier to soak it up and help my makeup stay all day.
• hands off! Don't touch your face. It just doesn't help. 
• drink water! Again with the hydrating. 

Do you have oily skin? What do you do to help combat it?

How To Tuesday: Jane Iredale's Summer Looks

Yesterday, I was able to meet with our Jane Iredale rep. We talked about general things, like the difference between their pressed and loose powder, but we also discussed their summer products. I hadn't tried the yet (except for the blue eye gloss). But she talked to us about the different ways she used the new Rose Dawn blush/bronzer.

She had been using it not only on her cheeks but also as an eyeshadow. Pretty cool. And then I found this tutorial video from Jane Iredale themselves on how to use their summer colors.

Check it out, and then tell me, did you think to be that creative?