APPS TO Streamline Your Life

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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10 Apps That Make Adulting a LITTLE LESS STRESSFUL

Just like beauty and life hacks, yes, there’s an app for that. From front-door service to neighborhood alerts, we have the knowledge and tools at our fingertips to ease our daily routines with just one swipe. The apps we use can a) drain our bank account (Postmates, we’re looking at you) or b) today’s focus, make our lives way easier. Below, we’re highlighting the apps we use nonstop to make adulting a little less stressful. Scroll on for a peek at what’s on the BeautyLeeBar team’s phones.

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Mint: Budgeting made simple. Mint syncs with your bank account to track and file your spending activity through digestible graphs. Dare we say it makes figuring out your finances fun?

Citizen: Receive live safety notifications about what’s going on in your neighborhood through the Citizen’s emergency response system. Consider this the digital version of being a nosy neighbor (all in the name of safety, of course).

Venmo: What was life even like before the convenience of Venmo? Send and receive money with three simple clicks.

Flo: Never worry about when your cycle starts/ends again. Flo makes it easy to track menstruation and menopause through its user-friendly calendar. It also offers quizzes to educate about and monitor women’s health. The app Clue is another great option for ovulation tracking.

Happy, Not Perfect: Prioritize self-care with this guided meditation app. Use your smartphone to reduce stress and anxiety. It’s a great way to start or end your day.

EWG/Skin Deep: A free app that gives you access to a database that ranks ingredients in skincare and beauty products so you can avoid dangerous chemicals and toxins.

Planta: Planta keeps track of when you watered your plants and reminds you when to water based on the type of plant. It also gives you tips on how to care for your greenery. You can even lookup plants by uploading a photo. And if your plant dies, they create a plant graveyard for you, lol.

Canva: The graphic design editing app has templates for invites, resumes, business cards—anything you can think of. Step up your next hosting duties with an easy-to-create invitation.

Hopper: If you’re not already using Hopper to watch for airline tickets, let today be the day you download it. After you’ve selected a destination and date range, it alerts you when flight prices jump and are at their lowest. Book your next trip the smart and savvy way.

Co-Star: If you’re into astrology, this is a gem. It sends push notifications and one-liners for the day.

What apps do you use to make your life less chaotic? We want to know in the comments.

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5 Ways To Make 2020 Your Best Year Ever

With the start of not only a new year but a new decade, it’s time to awaken the goal-getter within you. Stop leaving things to chance, set goals, manifest your future, and most importantly dream big. We realize we may sound like a cheesy Instagram caption but trust us; it works, and we have studies to prove it. With 2020 forecast to be the decade of health and wellness, don’t get left behind… Here’s how to make 2020 your best year ever.

1. Set Goals, Both Minor and MAJOR

When it comes to setting goals, we like to split ours into two categories: little and large! Start with smaller more achievable goals, like walking to work more often or eating a handful of berries in the morning, this way you’ll continue to feel motivated when you achieve them. If you set yourself a goal like ‘exercise five days a week’ when you currently don’t exercise at all, you’re likely setting yourself up for failure. Instead, think: ‘I will do three activities a week that get my heart going!’ There’s nothing more disheartening than setting goals you’ll never achieve. So don’t set yourself the unlikely goal of never getting an Uber to work (those rainy days can be a b*tch). Once you start smashing your targets, build on them, and eventually, you’re more likely to reach more major goals. Remember, it was the tortoise who won the race – baby steps!

Then there are those major goals – your BIG dreams. When setting these, try to think about what you’d aim to achieve if failing wasn’t a possibility. It will help you get past those negative thoughts. Once you’ve outlined both sets of goals, write them down and move onto manifestation. It’s also helpful to give yourself a time frame to complete them and don’t forget to check in with yourself each quarter.

2. Manifestest Your Success

When it comes to manifestation, there are three typical standpoints: first, the doubtful – you’re seriously skeptical that manifestation can bring positive results. Second, the confused, and third, the firm believers and daily practitioners. Let us begin by explaining that manifestation is the transformation from thought into its physical equivalent, aka an idea or goal that becomes a tangible reality through the work of your own feelings, thoughts, and positive affirmations. It doesn’t translate from “I want a pink Lamborghini” into a pink Lamborghini springing up on your doorstep one day, rather it opens your mind to positive thoughts and brings about the dedication and motivation to achieve a goal and the success that will enable you to buy your own pink Lamborghini.

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To manifest your goals for 2020, start by letting go of any negative thoughts, feelings, and doubt that surrounds that goal. The best way to do this is by writing down your fears, for instance, my move to Dubai will fail, then alongside it, acknowledge the feeling but follow with “This feeling will not serve me.” Once you have eliminated those emotions, you can start to cultivate the positive and manifest your happiness with a clean slate. Begin by writing positive affirmations, for instance, “I’m committing to moving abroad and I will open my heart, mind, and body to new opportunities.”

Another helpful manifestation tool is a vision board, which can contain any aspect of your life including relationship goals, career goals or materialistic goals using pictures or even words written on a post-it. Once it’s completed, light a candle and manifest.

3. Practice Gratitude Daily 

The practice of gratitude, aka taking time to actively be thankful for what you have, may seem like a simple practice, but it’s hugely beneficial for your state of mind and even your physical health. One study showed that it’s been shown to reduce depression and increase happiness, while another study showed that it reduced aggression and increased empathy. In fact, we’ve noticed a definite impact on our mental health when we are practicing gratitude as opposed to when we let the habit slip; we have a more positive outlook and feel less anxious. Beyond our mental health, it’s also been shown to improve your physical health as people who practice gratitude are more likely to exercise and have frequent health checkups.

So, while you’re enjoying your cup of tea or coffee in the morning think of three things you’re grateful for; it can be anything from a tasty meal to having a supportive partner. Try to make them different each morning. Alternatively, saying them aloud at night by thinking of three things you were grateful for that day also works – it helps get past the craziness of your day and remind you of the positive things.

4. Meditate

We’ll be real with you; meditation is a habit that you have to maintain to reap the rewards but once you do, it’ll quite literally blow your mind. The added bonus? It can amp up your glow game as it boosts blood circulation, delivering more oxygen to your skin. It also helps you stay focused, calm, and more balanced and there are SO many studies to prove it!

One study examined the impact of an eight-week mindfulness and meditation course on a group of people and found that their ability to stay focused increased. Other studies have also shown that it makes you more compassionate and kind to others as you’re more considerate of other people’s emotions. Try apps like Headspace (they have a great 10-day free course) and Calm for helping you understand and practice meditation.

5. Get Active in the AM

It’s no secret that being active improves your mental, and of course, physical health. In short: it improves your mood, focus, and quality of sleep while lowering the risk of health conditions like heart disease or high blood pressure. Even if you commit to walking for thirty minutes a day or taking the stairs every day, you’ll start to notice a positive impact in weeks.

If you’re ready to go the extra mile, start by exercising in the morning. By working out in the morning, you’ll instantly increase levels of dopamine (the happiness hormone) while lowering levels of cortisol (the stress hormone), which spikes first thing in the morning. Not only will you boost your mood, but morning workouts kick start the process of neurogenesis; the creation of new brain cells. If the idea of dragging your butt to the gym each morning sounds hellish, try Flattummyco fitness app that provides simple, effective and quick at-home workouts. For a longer workout, flattummy app have 450+ workouts that is customized for your fitness level.

Let us know your 2020 goals in the comments below.

10 Ways to Relieve Stress

I haven’t touched too much on stress and anxiety on my blog, but I deal with it every single day. I have spine issues so stress really takes a toll on my body and back. It’s so easy to let stress get the best of me, so as soon as I feel stressed, I take a minute to become self-aware and begin de-stressing. Here are my 10 ways to relieve stress and I hope this helps you too!

  1. Breathe
    • When we get stressed or anxious, listen to your breathing – is it fast and shallow? As soon as you feel tense, try breathing slow and deep. The increased intake of oxygen will help calm your nervous system.
  2. Pamper
    • As a beauty blogger, this is probably my favorite thing to do.  Create a mini spa oasis at home – light some candles and pamper yourself with your favorite mask or give yourself a manicure. You deserve it!
  3. Drink tea
    • I love tea, like really love tea and recently I learned that there’s an art to drinking tea. Instead of just pouring yourself a cup, pay attention to the boiling of the water, the steeping of the tea, and then take a moment to savor each sip. Focusing on the experience can be calming, just make sure to drink decaffeinated tea like this one.
  4. Music
    • You know how you listen to music before heading into the shower? The same thing applies to your night in. Music can be a powerful tool to quickly change your mood and I love using apps like Spotify and Tidal that have ready-made playlists to match your mood.
  5. Journal
    • Sometimes when I have so much on my mind, I write down what I’m feeling and why I’m feeling that way. Once I have everything down on paper, it’s like having a weight lifted off my shoulders and then I can start tackling whatever is stressing me out.
  6. Read
    • If there’s one thing that’ll put me to sleep, it’s reading. Get lost in a story and it’ll take your mind off of your stressful day and chances are, it’ll put you to sleep like me.
  7. Exercise
    • Now I’m not the most active person but walking helps to put my mind at ease. This is something I recently picked up and I’ve been really feeling the endorphins! I love that feeling of knowing that I took time out of my day to get myself healthier.
  8. Meditation
    • I have been able to master this technique, and I know many people who love meditation. In fact, my therapist is a strong believer in meditation and recommends it for everyone, not just for people who suffer from anxiety, depression, stress and etc.    You can use meditation apps or find a guided meditation on YouTube.
  9. Stay offline
    • If work and emails are sources of your stress, turn off your phone and computer to reduce the temptation of checking and responding to emails.  As much as work is important to me,  I try to remember that my health is much more important. Social media can be strainful so try to separate yourself. I know that is hard especially for those who earn money through Instagram like myself but it is not impossible.
  10. Cry/Smile
    • Relieves Stress. A good cry can provide a feeling of relief, even if our circumstances still remain the same. Crying is known to release stress hormones or toxins from the body, and as a result, reduces tension. It provides an emotional release of pent up negative feelings, stresses, and frustrations.
      • When all else fails, smile. Smiling releases a hormone called serotonin (the happy hormone) and can boost your immune system. By having a positive attitude, you’ll have a sunnier outlook on life. Try it!

Don’t get me wrong I love makeup and using makeup to feel good, but working on my inner beauty is a priority for me too! Stress can be detrimental to your overall health, so remember to take at least five minutes out of your day to relax. Happy de-stressing!

HOW DO YOU DE-STRESS?