Sheep’s Wool for Softer Lips?!

Published on by Lee2 Comments

As you know, I’ve always been a firm believer in the power of nature and all its beautifying goodness, so I couldn’t wait to try these all natural 101 Ointment Fruities by Lanolips. The brand has won more than 50 global awards for their products made from lanolin, a natural by-product that’s found on sheep’s wool.

So, let me explain: Lanolin is a wax secreted by sheep’s skin that keep their coats protected and dry – and because sheep’s fleece grows continuously and needs to be sheared every year, it’s completely cruelty-free. After, the wool fleeces are boiled and purified leaving behind the waxy lanolin, which as Lanolips puts it, is ‘Nature’s Wonder Moisturiser’.

What it is: A thick and glossy long-lasting 101 balm made only with Ultra Medical Grade Lanolin, Fruit Extract, and Vitamin E, that can be used for lips, dry skin patches, and more. It comes in three flavors: Green Apple, full of antioxidants and vitamins, Strawberry, that has alpha-hydroxy acids to regenerate new skin cells, and Peach, to revive skin with vitamins.

What it does: It gives incredible hydration! Lanolin’s molecular structure mimics our skin’s, so it’s super compatible and can hold 200% of its weight in moisture.

What I liked: It’s glossy and thick, and ever so slightly sticky, but much more comfortable than sticky – a bit like a thicker Vaseline. It didn’t budge either, even after I ate I didn’t have to reapply it, it lasted all day!  And I really like the fact it’s vegetarian and vegan, and even gentle enough for babies – so you know it won’t irritate sensitive skin. The packaging is super cute too, with a bit of a vintage vibe that’s so pretty and delicate. I love the fact it’s a 101 balm, and Lanolips suggest it can be used on a ton of things, from dry cuticles and paper cuts, to keeping eyebrows in place and insect bites.

What I didn’t like: The strawberry fragrance was light, but I found when I applied the peach, the scent got really intense over time and became quite overpowering. Although it’s a 101 balm, I would be cautious to use this everywhere because it actually felt a lot stickier on my skin than it did on my lips, and as it’s super glossy it looks a bit shiny too.

I never knew lanolin was such an incredible ingredient, but after using these 101 ointments I’ve fallen in love. I’d definitely recommend these pocket-sized balms, they’re unbelievably hydrating, and also perfect if you’re traveling, exposed to the sun or the cold, or if you just need some extra hydration.

Price: $13.50

Available: ulta.com

Rose Honey Brown Sugar Lip Scrub

Published on by Lee5 Comments

Hi loves!! If your lips tend to go through the motions with the seasons and have been dry lately then DIY Rose Honey Brown Sugar Lip Scrub is for you. Let’s get right to it …

Morning everyone! Erin here!! A little kitchen beauty sesh kinda makes the perfect Sunday morning activity! Just me?! I whipped up this yummy (yes, I tasted it just to check, or as my mom used to say, to make sure it wasn’t poison, lol) rose honey brown sugar lip scrub on a Sunday morning while watching Food Network and I had to share it with you!

Let’s break down the ingredients:

  • Brown sugar – acts as a gentle exfoliator because of its grainy texture
  • Honey – honey is a natural humectant so it’s actually adding moisture
  • Olive oil – adds moisture to bind the ingredients
  • Rose essential oil – because IMO, anything rose is a big YES

So why would you want to exfoliate your lips? A few obvious reasons – it gets rid of dry skin, and makes your lips softer. A reason not so obvious? It helps your nourishing lip products penetrate better! If you’re gonna spend on those, let’s makes sure they are the most effective they can be, right?!

Rose Honey Lip Scrub Recipe

  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • ½ cup olive or coconut oil
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 10 drops rose essential oil

I personally LOVE the smell of rose, but if you’re not so into it, customize this scrub with mint or lavender oil instead of rose, or maybe adding lemon zest would be your jam?

The most amazing thing about this scrub (besides the soft lips!) is that it can double as a body scrub if you whip up a double batch! I added some dried rose petals into the body scrub just because it’s pretty and a little more luxurious, then put it in a bigger tin for the shower. Incorporate the lip scrub into your nightly routine – leave it by the sink and use it before you put on your nighttime lip product and hop into bed… and by all means, friends don’t let friends have sandpaper lips, so pass on a jar to your bestie, okay?!

xo

8 Personalized Valentine’s Day Gifts

Published on by Lee1 Comment

Valentine’s Day is yet another holiday where people adhere to the social constructs of society and buy their significant others generic gifts they find last minute at Walmart. This Valentine’s Day, forget the typical flowers and chocolates and try giving one of these personalized gifts to show your significant other you truly care.

Customized Puzzle

If your one and only enjoys putting together a good puzzle, think about how puzzling together pieces of both your faces would make them feel. Not your average V-day gift, but a quirky one that you both can work on together — creating a memory one piece at a time.

Redeemable Love Coupons

If you’re not looking to spend any money this Valentine’s Day, try making redeemable love coupons for your significant other. The coupons can say anything from “one free kiss” to “making breakfast in bed.” You can tailor the coupons to things you know your significant other will enjoy, all it takes is a little creativity.

DIY Heart-shaped Hand Warmers

This gift is one that keeps on giving. If you’re more of a crafty person, try making your own heart-shaped hand warmers. Your beloved would appreciate the small token of your adoration, especially during these cold months. Something so easy to make, and yet so pleasing to give. Here is a step-by-step guide to making these heart-shaped hand warmers.

Five Senses

If you’re looking to give a more creative V-day gift, test your sweethearts five senses with five gift bags, each containing an item related to one of the senses. Try to make the items as creative as possible, but something your significant other would understand. Items such as their favorite midnight snack for taste or a lotion of their favorite scent for smell would be perfect.

52 Reasons

By using playing cards, you can write 52 reasons why you love your honey. It’s a creative take on expressing your love for someone, and being able to tell your significant other 52 distinct reasons why you love them will surely win you some brownie points. 

Memorable Places Picture Frame

This simple and inexpensive idea will mean a lot to your special someone because it’s completely personal. Some ideas of locations to frame could be where you went on your first date or where you had your first kiss. It’s a gift that will take you both back to one of the best moments of your relationship.

Scavenger Hunt

The gift isn’t the destination, but the journey you both can go on together. This adventurous idea can provide you with a day full of both your favorite spots, like grabbing your significant other’s go-to drink at that coffee shop you both love. The more places you go, the sweeter the walk down memory lane will be.

Balloon Chandelier of Memories

Balloons are always a nice surprise, but an even better one when photos of your relationship are clipped to the ends. By attaching some of your favorite memories of you and your love to balloons, it makes for a festive Valentine’s Day that your significant other could only appreciate.

Ditch Lip Injections With These 9 Hacks!

Published on by LeeLeave a comment

I’m OBSESSED with having plump lips – the fuller the better is the general consensus! I literally can’t even scroll down my Insta feed without seeing a full, juicy pout staring me in the face. I know I dont’t need it, God blessed me in that department already but I love when my pout is fuller. So, here’re nine DIY concoctions, techniques, and (safe) tools you can use to enhance your lips for a more voluptuous look – they actually WORK!

1. Toothpaste: Probably the quickest DIY ever, and it’s so simple: cover your lips with a thick layer of toothpaste and leave it on for just 10 seconds! Wipe it away, et voila, a smooth, plump pout.

2. Cinnamon: Cinnamon’s been used in beauty for thousands of years, and because it stimulates blood flow so effectively, it’s one of the main ingredients in a ton of lip plumpers. For a lip plumper on the go, add a couple of drops of cinnamon oil to your FAV lip gloss. For a more intense effect, mix cinnamon powder with a moisturizer like Vaseline, olive oil, honey, or any balm, and apply this to your lips for a minute or so before removing with a damp towel. You’ll notice an intense tingling; this just means it’s working!

3. Overlining and Contouring: This is still my favorite hack to date, and I think it’s probably the most effective for faking fuller lips in just minutes. The technique involves contouring and drawing slightly outside your natural lip line. It also makes your lipstick last ALLL day!

4. Wasabi: Believe it or not, Wasabi isn’t just delicious with your sushi; it will plump up your lips in less than a minute too. It might feel a little uncomfortable, but it’s got to feel better than an injection!

5. Peppermint Oil: Like cinnamon, peppermint also causes a rush of blood to your lips. Mix peppermint oil with a little honey, apply to your lips and remove after one minute. Alternatively, add a few drops of peppermint oil to your lip balm or gloss and plump as you go.

6. Too Faced Lip Injection: This product really works, and I’ve been a fan of it for years! They’ve also released an extreme formula and colored gloss versions.

7. Cayenne Pepper: This can get pretty hot and spicy, so if you can’t handle the heat, you might be better sticking with cinnamon. Just mix a pinch of cayenne pepper with a teaspoon of olive oil (I’ve been tempted to use a few drops of sriracha in the past – I LOVE it!) and apply a thick layer of the mixture to your lips. Leave on for 1-2 minutes (or as long as you can last), before wiping it away with a damp towel.

8. Lip Plumping Suction Tools: Okay, these are definitely something you need to be careful with (from experience they can hurt a little), as you can bruise your lips if you use them too intensely. However, if ‘suffer to be beautiful’ is your motto then this is definitely an effective cosmetic alternative.

9. The Ultimate Plumping Mix: If you’re feeling daring, then a potent combination of some of the above ingredients gives you crazy good results! In a small container, combine ½ tsp of cayenne pepper, ½ tsp of cinnamon, a pinch of ginger powder, a drop of peppermint oil, and combine with 2 tsp of oil, like coconut oil or olive oil. Once the ingredients are well mixed, gently massage the mix into your lips for ten seconds and leave on for up to 2 minutes – if you can!

And finally (and most importantly!), just because bigger lips might be everywhere on Instagram, it doesn’t mean they’re the perfect look for every person! Everyone’s face is different, and we all suit different lip shapes and sizes, so I suggest you steer clear of the shot glass hack, or excessively using lip plumping devices. Not only can these cause short-term bruising, major swelling, and a lot of pain, but if done repeatedly they can destroy your lips’ natural collagen levels and weaken the skin tissue, causing a deflated look. So always be careful using unconventional methods. AND, that’s why I love lip contouring, it lasts all day and wipes away at night!

Which beauty hack is your favorite? Let me know if you have any other hacks in the comments below.