Category: Lifestyle

Embracing Your KINKIER SIDE

Published on by Lee1 Comment

No kink-shaming, we’re so past the days of (safe) sexual fantasies feeling taboo. Here’s the deal, it’s common (and normal) to have a little kink in you—how it’s defined and the level of it is different for everybody, of course.

If you enjoy rough foreplay or wild sex, there’s no need to have shame around it. You may not even realize you’re kinkier than the average person until you’re with a new partner, or, on the flip side, you may discover additional desires as you get older. It’s natural that as we mature and gain sexual experience, we learn what we like and want in the bedroom. 

First and foremost, when exploring the world of kink, the two most important things are communication and consent. So once you’re on the same page with your partner, here are some tips to incorporate kinky behavior in your sexual relationship.

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Be expressive. 

Say exactly what you want or describe your fantasy to your partner. If you need some ideas, watch a movie or film with a tasteful and steamy sex scene. Or ask your close friends for some tips. Even something small like finding an unusual position could be considered kinky to some. Plus, it’s so hot to surprise your partner with a new move under the sheets (or wherever you prefer to get it on). 

Be open.

Keep the dialogue open with your partner. Even if you’re not 100% sure you want to try something, share your curiosity. If you say your vision out loud and have a conversation about it, you’ll feel more comfortable possibly exploring it the next time you’re hooking up. 

And be open when your partner shares their desires as well (given you’re comfortable with what they want to do). Try not to judge if it’s something you’re not used to. Instead, say “I’ve never done that, and I’ll have to think about if I want to go there.” As we mentioned earlier, everybody has different deeds that turn them on, and there’s no reason to make your partner feel weird for vocalizing them. Just kindly say you’re not into trying it. 

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Set and define your limits. 

With any act under the BDSM family, it’s important to set hard and soft boundaries. Sexual scenarios that you’re open to exploring or curious about could fall under your soft boundaries list. Whereas anything you consider off-limits would be on your hard boundaries list. Also, be sure to pick a safe word before entering the rougher side of the kink. 

The content provided in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice and consultation, including professional medical advice and consultation; it is provided with the understanding that BeautyLeeBar, LLC (“Hello Beauties”) is not engaged in the provision or rendering of medical advice or services. You understand and agree that BeautyLeeBar shall not be liable for any claim, loss, or damage arising out of the use of, or reliance upon any content or information in the article.

Shop our sex and love picks:

  • We-Vibe Touch X
  • WOMANIZER PREMIUM eco

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APPS TO Streamline Your Life

Published on by LeeLeave a comment

Some of us may be thinking, “Oh no, I don’t need another reason to be on my phone,” and we hear you. We do. But hear us out. Where things can be complex, tech has tried its darndest to make it simple. There’s always an app for that. Here are some of our favorite apps for work, play, finances, self-improvement, and more so we can function like modern adults, but more optimally.

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Citizen

This app is excellent for safety, especially for those of us who live in a big city. Users get location-based safety alerts that can help us evade stumbling upon risky situations and know when to stay home if something dangerous is occurring in our ‘hood. 

We can access ongoing reports, leave comments and advice, and even share live videos. Their website touts “COVID-19 contact tracing, access to real-time 911 alerts, instant help from crisis responders, and safety tracking for friends and families.” If we’ve learned anything in 2020, it’s that we need more access to pro-safety apps like this.

Handy

We know what it’s like to let something broken in our home go a little too long without attention. Showering ankle-deep? Unacceptable. But easy to forget the second you step out, or block from your memory (seriously, ew). Streamline the arduous process of getting anything repaired or upgraded with the Handy app by comparing prices and hiring local contractors in your area. Services cover everything from home cleaning to a kitchen remodel, so no task is too small. 

Slack

2020 also brought us the great work-from-home era. It’s all fun and games and sweatpants until we call out to our work-wife and oh … right. Crickets. Or maybe our SO, or child. Still not what we were looking for. Save texting for fun convos and emails for attachments. Slack is the best workspace messaging app to streamline on-the-fly communication between team members. Create channels, set availability alerts, send reminders, attach files, comment, and organize all in one, without overloading your Google Drive.

Done

This app is not only great for productivity but straight-up self-improvement. It’s no secret here at BeautyLeeBar that we love optimizing for our best, healthiest selves, inside and out. Done helps us craft healthy routines by setting goals, tracking progress, and sending motivational alerts. Drop bad habits and carve out good ones by setting tangible daily, weekly, or monthly goals, and let Done be your gentle drill sergeant to hammer in the details so you can hold yourself accountable, and watch a digital paper trail of your progress. We’ll let you decide how you want to reward yourself.

Acorns

If any sort of financial jargon makes you instantly glaze over, then consider us a Krispy Kreme. It may not be our lingo, but we want in. Acorns automatically invest your chump change when you opt-in (think $1-$5) regularly, watching your portfolio for automatic balancing. But it’s not just investing in stocks. You can automatically save for retirement with recurring contributions based on your goals, employment, and income. It’s personalized and all laid out for you. You just fill in the blanks.

OfferUp

Not all our crap is total crap. Some of it is kinda worth something! Skip the pesky Craigslist ad and upload pics of your unwanted goods to the Offerup app to name your price, haggle, and get rid of things taking up space in your life, all from your phone on the couch. It’s also a great way to find amazing deals on used furniture, appliances, even cars! There is no limit to the goods you can find and sell on OfferUp.

If This Then That

The ultimate streamliner, If This Then That (IFTT) lets you connect all your services (which is what they call productivity apps like Google Assistant, Evernote, Fitbit, Twitter, Dropbox, etc.) so that you never lose track of a task, event, or goal via what they deem an “Applet.” Their example: “an Applet can sync your Amazon Alexa to-dos with your Google Calendar. Or create events in your iPhone Calendar, via Google Assistant.” If you’ve ever wished your productivity tools could talk to each other so you don’t need another app to remind you to check your apps, IFTT does that.

Headspace

After all this talk of productivity, who has time to meditate? You do. We do. Because of Headspace! What has seemed daunting in the past is now totally digestible thanks to founder Andy Puddicombe’s quest to bring his pivotal Buddhist monk experience into the daily lives of us all. We don’t have to quit our day jobs and shave our heads and take a silent retreat to embrace mindfulness and learn the major benefits of meditation first-hand. Guided meditations of all kinds and lengths can be found on the app to get us started and keep us going. 

Mint

So we’ve talked about investing, but what about just organization? Mint helps you create budgets, track spending, monitor credit and reach savings goals in one super-secure app. If you’re never sure where all your money goes by the end of the month, or want to get better at saving, or simply want to be in touch with your finances on an intimate level, this is the app that will get you there. Money can be a touchy topic that we tend to avoid, but Mint melts away that anxiety with clear-cut organization, goal setting, and encouraging clarity.

Up next, shop the newest items from the BeautyLeeBar Shop here.

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Barbie Feet: The Photogenic Pose That’s Become an Instagram Sensation

Published on by Lee1 Comment

There’s a reason we love wearing high heels—and it’s not that they’re especially comfortable. It’s that they’re hands down the most flattering footwear. But take a scroll through Instagram, and you’ll find the funny fact that models and bloggers have a trick for occasions when heels aren’t an option, what we’ll now refer to as “Barbie feet.” While Barbie’s plastic feet are permanently molded into a pointed position, Instagram pros are whipping out the pose when they want to elongate their legs in photographs.

To master this pose, there’s only one requirement: Act like you’re wearing an invisible pair of high heels, even though there’s nothing but air under your arches. From the front, it can be hard to tell you’re doing anything at all, but from the side, you can see that you’re balanced solely on the balls of your feet. Read on and you’ll find a breakdown of exactly how to nail this photogenic trick. Now, you’re all set to try it out for your next photo op.

Tip 1: Stand on the balls of your feel to lengthen your legs.

Tip 2: Bend one leg to the side, with the other leg back and behind.

Tip 3: Stand with your legs apart, at more than hip distance.

Tip 4: For extra support, try out a sitting pose.

Tip 5: Try crossing your legs and leaning against a background.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CM-O8gAh7bI/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Tip 6: While this pose is great straight-on, also try it out from the side.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNGZ2NNF_BU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Tip 7: It never hurts to add a big smile.

Tip 8: Separate your legs on two stairs for extra dimension.

Tip 9: Hold on to another object like a tree or chair for balance.

IS THIS AN INSTAGRAM HACK THAT FASCINATE YOU OR YOU ON TO THE NEXT ONE?

Self-Care Essentials to Treat Yourself to This Valentine’s Day

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Valentine’s Day is all about love — be it with others or yourself. Whether you have big plans for the date or not, we suggest taking time for self-care. For us, that means relaxing with a face mask, giving ourselves an at-home mani, or indulging in salon-like hair treatment. To give you some ideas on how to have an epic self-care moment with beauty products, keep reading for our top picks. 

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Kiehl’s Avocado Nourishing Hydration Mask

This is like a grown-up version of the DIY face masks we used to concoct during sleepovers when we were kids. It contains avocado fruit extract and oil, plus primrose oil to replenish and seal in moisture. The 15-minute treatment leaves skin feeling supple and soft. It’s perfect as a pre-makeup treatment or to unwind with at the end of the day.

Essie Gel Couture

Take your at-home mani game to the next level with Gel Couture. The polishes have the longevity (the formulas last up to 14 days without chipping), pigmentation and shine of a gel manicure, but can be applied in the comfort of your own home without UV lamps. For Valentine’s Day, we’ll be reaching for Rock the Runway, a striking, scarlet red. 

Garnier Fructis Plumping Treat 3-in-1 Hair Mask

Transform dry, damaged and flat hair with this nourishing mask that’s formulated to plump and nourish strands with 97% natural ingredients like watermelon extract. Leave it on for one minute before rinsing for a quick masking sesh or apply it on damp hair as a leave-in volumizing treatment.

Hey Dewy Portable Facial Humidifier

Help turn your space into a spa-like environment with this cute portable humidifier. Using a humidifier can help prevent and minimize skin and hair dehydration and help you achieve a post-facial-like glow. 

Sara Happ The Lip Scrub

For smooth, kissable lips, a lip scrub is a must. This sweet sugar scrub helps eliminate flakes and dryness. Just massage it onto lips, gently wipe the product off and seal the deal with a nourishing balm or lippie.