Primp Tip: Get Iced

These hot days of summer might be coming to an end, but I recently read about a pretty cool beauty tip that I wanted to share with you… The idea is to give yourself an “ice cube facial massage.”

It may not sound that particularly pleasant, but running an ice cube over your face has a lot of benefits for your skin. Besides giving your face a dewy, glowing look, the frosty cubes will help to smooth your complexion by combatting fat cells, ease wrinkles, fight acne, and promote blood circulation that will help heal blemishes.

By simply massaging your face with ice cubes for a minute or two before bed, you will essentially be giving yourself a mini facial. (Just be sure to wrap the cubes in a paper towel, or a baggie because applying them directly to your skin can cause delicate blood vessels to break.) For an added “ahh” to this spa-inspired treatment, try freezing your cubes with watermelon, lemon, or rose. Getting iced never sounded so good…

Are you going to give this cool trick a try?

If you have an out of the ordinary beauty trick that you love, share it in the comments below. I’ll feature my favorite idea in an upcoming blog post!

XO Lee

P.S. If you have any beauty questions, leave your request in the comments below…you might just see it in an upcoming blog post too!

Beauty 911: Locked & Loaded

Today I’m sharing 12 things every girl ought to have in her beauty ammo whether she’s on the clock or not…

Here’s the scenario: It’s Monday morning. Your beautiful dress is full of static, you’ve still got breakfast in your teeth (darn those mangos), your T-zone is shiny…and it’s only 10am. So what’s a girl to do? Whip out her Beauty Emergency Kit (lovingly known as a “beautE-Kit”)

There are a few tried-and-true items every working (or school-aged) lady must have close at hand. This is what I keep in my beautE-Kit…

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Static Guard. It may sound strange, but this is an absolute must. Not only will it come in handy when your new dress is sticking to your legs, it can also be used in lieu of hair spray to tame flyaway. Just spritz a little on your fingertips and lightly dab unruly hairs into place.

Floss Pick. After each meal, give your pearly whites a quick clean. If you spot any leftovers, dislodge them using a floss pick. Floss picks can also be used to de-clump mascara or remove dirt from under your nails. However, please remember to perform such forms of maintenance in the privacy of the ladies room.

Mini Mirror. It’s always a good idea to keep a small pocket mirror close at hand. You’ll never wonder if you have lipstick on your teeth again!

Lotion. Usually, offices are either too cold or too hot, which can lead to chapped hands–especially when you’re washing them constantly after using the restroom. To prevent dry, cracked hands moisturize throughout the day by using your favorite hand lotion. Your hands (and nails) will thank you.

Hand Sanitizer. Sneeze, cough or blow your nose? Do your co-workers a favor and disinfect. No need to pass around an unwanted bug.

Blister Blockers. Is there anything worse than breaking in a new pair of shoes? Keep a stash of extra strong blister bandages at your desk, just in case.

Vaseline. This is one of the most underrated beauty products out there. Use it to quench dry lips, smooth it over your heel if your shoe is rubbing, or swipe it over your cuticles for a quick pick me up.

Deodorant. Keep a travel-sized deodorant stashed in your kit. You’ll never have to sweat the small stuff again (like forgetting to put it on as you rushed out the door this morning).

Stain Remover. Food should be in your mouth, not on your clothes. And the same goes for coffee. Never worry about walking into a meeting with marinara polka dots again!

Snack. It sounds silly, but I keep little bites in my puse. A case of the hangrys (hungry + angry = hangry) is never becoming.

Meds. Whether you’re team Tylenol or you’re an ibuprofen fan, having a stash of goodies to combat headaches is a smart way to keep your head clear. Also, having a few Tums on hand isn’t a bad idea either…

Bobby Pins. Nix bedhead, windy-day-hair or I-was-in-a-rush-this-morning head with a few bobby pins. A topknot, ballerina or fun bun can always tame unruly hair with the help of a few hairpins.

Those are my essentials. If you’re stranded at your desk, these 12 items will get you through. Next week, I’ll be posting a blog about office items that double as beauty products!

Want to win a copy of my personal beautE-Kit?

Leave a comment below telling me about an office item that plays double beauty duty (Note: It must be a common office item such as a paperclip and you need to tell me how it can be used as a beauty product/tool). The winner with the most creative idea will win! I’ll announce the winner and I’ll feature my favorite 5 suggestions in next week’s post too!

XO LEE

Primp Tip: How to Make Any Lipstick Matte

I have a confession to make… I’m an absolute sucker for the latest beauty trends. After all, we are in the age of YouTube sensations and 1-minute Instagram tutorials. Mastering the art of contour: check, Mastering the art of winged eyeliner: check. Buying all of the matte lipsticks available: major check. I have a lot of lipstick colors in my drawer that don’t fit the matte bill. That doesn’t make them less beautiful, but right now I’m head-over-heels for that nudish brown look. Instead of letting my non-matte lipsticks go to waste, I decided to do a little research on what I could do to incorporate them into the mix. So I thought it would be fitting to address a question I’ve found myself asking a lot lately—is it possible to make an ordinary lipstick matte?

The answer is yes, you can make an ordinary lipstick matte (yay!). All you need is your favorite shade of non-matte lipstick and a few beauty products that you may already have in your makeup drawer. Keep scrolling to find out how you can transform your lipstick into this season’s hottest beauty trend…

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Here’s what you’ll need:

translucent powder
tissue
makeup brush
your favorite non-matte lipstick
corresponding lip liner (optional)

Here’s how to do it:

1. Line your lips with your lip liner pencil. This step will help ensure that your finished look will last through wear and tear throughout the day.

2. Apply your non-matte lipstick on top of your lip liner. If you’re a perfectionist like me, I’ll sometimes line my lips again after I apply lipstick so that my lines are as sharp as possible.

3. Take your tissue and separate the layers so that you have one fine sheet.

4. Lay the single tissue sheet over your lips and, taking your makeup brush, dust your translucent powder over your lips. By placing the tissue between your lips and the makeup brush you are essentially filtering the amount of powder applied to your lips. It’s best to start small and build up so that you can reach your desired texture without over doing it.

5. Remove the tissue and dust the translucent powder directly onto your lips one final time.

Viola! You have now created a rich, matte texture without breaking the bank on new beauty products. I love a good DIY makeup hack, don’t you?

 

Will you be trying this matte lipstick beauty hack?

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10 Benefits of Warm Water and Lemon in the Morning


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Warm lemon water works all kinds of miracles. I initially started drinking it to aid with weight loss, but have since found numerous benefits that I thought I would share with you all too. There’s really no reason not to be taking advantage of this morning health ritual and everyday detox drink.

INSTRUCTIONS

Squeeze 1/2 lemon (organic if possible) into a cup of lukewarm filtered water, first thing in the morning. Avoid using boiling or ice cold water as it takes longer for your body to digest and uses more energy in the process.

BONUS: try adding freshly grated ginger or a little cayenne for a boost.

THE BENEFITS

1. Aids digestion. It flushes out unwanted materials & toxins from the body. It also helps to relieve symptoms of indigestion, such as heartburn and bloating.

2. Boosts your immune system. Lemons are filled with vitamin C, which helps fight colds. They’re high in potassium which stimulates brain and nerve function.

3. Detoxes your system. It acts as a natural diuretic, releasing toxins at a faster rate as the citric acid maximises enzyme function which stimulates the liver.

4. Balances pH levels. Due to the alkalising properties of lemons, they help remove uric acid in your joints, which is one of the main causes of inflammation.

5. Clears skin. The antioxidants and vitamin C in lemons help decrease wrinkles and blemishes. The alkaline nature also kills some types of bacteria known to cause acne.

6. Aid in weight loss. Lemons are high in pectin fiber, which helps fight hunger cravings.

7. Energizes & enhances your mood. Lemons contain negative charged ions which provides your body with energy when it enters the digestive tract. The smell and scent of lemon can brighten your mood and help clear your mind. Lemon can also help reduce anxiety and depression.

8. Promotes Healing. Ascorbic acid found in abundance in lemons, promotes wound healing, and is an essential nutrient in the maintenance of healthy bones, connective tissue, and cartilage.

9. Freshens breath. It’s also been known to help relieve tooth pain and gingivitis. However, be aware that citric acid can erode tooth enamel. It is best to brush your teeth first.

10. Hydrates Your Lymph System. Warm water and lemon juice supports the immune system by hydrating and replacing fluids lost by your body. When your body is deprived of water, you can definitely feel the side effects, which include: feeling tired, sluggish, decreased immune function, constipation, lack of energy, low/high blood pressure, lack of sleep, lack of mental clarity and feeling stressed, just to name a few.

 

Related image  Do you drink warm lemon water in the morning?

How do you take your lemons?