How To: Self Tan

Every year there is a huge pressure to be tan. It starts around spring time and it doesn't end until winter has long began. If you're like the majority of women, myself included, you either don't have the time to tan or you have been blessed with pasty white skin that flat out refuses to tan. Now you could spend hundreds of dollars on going to a tanning bed or getting a spray tan, but who wants to spend that kind of money to ultimately look so orange that you could be an Oompa Loompa for Willy Wonka?

Luckily, there's a far cheaper and easier way to tan yourself that you can do in the comfort of your own home. For $11.00, and a lot of times it's on sale, at Kroger, you can buy Sally Hansen Airbrush Shimmer. Of course when you buy it, make sure to buy the medium and not the tan or you will look like orange.

Sally Hansen Airbrush Shimmer

After making this purchase, all you have to do is spray it all over your body. It normally only takes one bottle. You want to give it a couple hours to dry and then check to make sure you haven't missed a spot. After that, take a shower. Do not freak out when you see the water turning a tannish color. This is just the excess spray washing off your body.

Once you have showered and dried yourself, use Jergens Firming Lotion, only $7.00. This will help to seal the spray tan. The great part about this tan is that it looks all natural. You cannot get a more natural looking tan unless you lay out in the sun and let nature run its course. The best part? You only have $19 invested in the whole tan compared to the $50 you will pay each time you get a spray tan.

Jergens Firming Lotion 

Not Your Mother's

Has anyone used any hair products from Not Your Mother's? I love this brand! Their products are cute and fun. They also have great scents!

Not Your Mother's Line of Products

I had never heard of this brand until I was at the store looking for some curl creme and they were all out of Bed Head, my usual brand. I was a little iffy about trying Not Your Mother's - their curl creme was $5. This was way less than what I pay for Bed Head. I know that price isn't everything, but in my experience, the cheaper the beauty product- the worse it is.

Curl Cream

Surprisingly, Not Your Mother's does exactly what it is supposed to do and it doesn't leave your hair smelling like hair product. Each type has its own distinct scent. Most of the scents are fruity. The Beach Babe line, which is supposed to give your hair a little extra wave and bounce, smells like coconut and will make you think of the beach.

Beach Babe Spray

Next time you're out, you should certainly think of trying this product.

Links:

http://www.nymbrands.com/

Baby Lips by Maybelline

Not long ago, Maybelline began putting out a line of lip balms called Baby Lips. They are slightly more adult lip balms - afterall, their different shades add a bit of color to your lips when you use them. My Cherry Me makes my lips look as if I am wearing red lipstick.

Cherry Me

The lip balm makes my lips feel soft after application and although I really don't need to apply it every ten minutes, I have become so addicted to it that I do. It isn't that the product doesn't last long, it's that I love the scent, feel, and look of Baby Lips so much that I feel the need to constantly use it! 

Baby Lips Collection

It retails for $2.99 at Target making it a not too bad purchase. It comes in cute packaging and, so far, it has done exactly what is promised - re-hydrated my lips when they need it most.

Links -

http://www.target.com/p/maybelline-baby-lips-lip-balm/-/A-14418640
http://www.maybelline.com/Products/Lip-Makeup/Lip-Balm/Baby-Lips.aspx?cm_mmc=LabeliumSearch-_-GoogleBrand-_-MNY+Lips-_-maybelline%20baby%20lips&gclid=CKPtmMvlzrgCFZBaMgodnAwAxQ

Mythical Creatures

Ever since we were little, we have all had that one mythical creature that we associate ourselves with. Most of the time, we pick whichever creature we decide to connect with through the films we watch or the books we read.

Since I was around eight, I have fallen in love with the idea of the phoenix. I have always pictured the phoenix as a beautiful, strong bird. I love the idea of immortality and rebirth that the phoenix represents. The phoenix represents cleansing with its ability to walk into a fire and reemerge three days later from its ashes - completely reborn.

The phoenix rising from its ashes

The phoenix has been my own personal symbol and reminder that I can fight through anything - no matter what occurs, I will rise from the ashes as a new, stronger self.

The traditional phoenix

Not only is the phoenix my favorite mythical creature, but Phoenix and her alter-ego, Dark Phoenix, also happen to be my favorite X-men characters.

Phoenix as in the X-men comics

Dark Phoenix as portrayed by Famke Janssen in the X-men movies

Do any of you have a favorite mythological creature that you associate yourself with?

Links:

http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Phoenix_(mythology).html
http://marvel.com/universe/Phoenix_(Jean_Grey)
http://x-men.wikia.com/wiki/Dark_Phoenix

Under the Dome

Under the Dome by Stephen King

CBS has this new television show called Under the Dome which is based on a book of the same name by Stephen King. The show is about a town in New England named Chester's Mill which suddenly finds itself closed off from the rest of the world by a mysterious force field like structure which, through the local radio station, the inhabitants come to learn someone is calling "The Dome".

At first, the town's inhabitants believe that the government is responsible for the barrier over their town. Later, they come to realize that even the government does not know what is going on.

In the first episode, the barrier is discovered by one of the show's main characters, Barbie. Barbie is a bit of a military man who will not speak of his past and is trying to get out of town. He notices a plane crash in mid air and from there, the discovery of the dome is made.

Barbie discovers the Dome

At the end of the first episode the town police chief, Duke, dies when he comes too close to the dome and his pacemaker explodes. In later episodes, it is revealed that anyone who touches the dome experiences seizure like symptoms and utter the phrase, "The pink stars are falling in line." As of yet, we do not know what these 'pink stars' are.

The book, and while the television show does differ some already, is almost like a modern retelling of Lord of the Flies by William Golding. Just as the boys in this infamous classic must learn to govern themselves when they have no strong, central leadership so must the townspeople of Chester's Mill.

For any psych majors out there, this is the idea show to watch as an example of human nature. But psych majors aren't the only ones this show appeals to. Any science fiction buffs will love the story for the elements pertaining to that - such as the mysterious dome and voices heard over the radio.

For more information on this show, check out the links I provided below.

http://www.cbs.com/shows/under-the-dome/
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/under-domes-brian-k-vaughan-573409

Foundation on a Budget

I don't know if it is just me, but I have a terrible time finding foundation that works for me. I have tried nearly every brand ranging from high end brand names to low end brands you can find at your local drugstore. My favorite brand at the moment? Maybelline. When I was at the store looking for some new liquid foundation, it seemed I could only find large, round containers - nothing unique. Anyone who knows me knows that the packaging of a product is almost as important to be as the quality. Maybelline's new Fit Me! certainly stands out from the traditional bottles with its chic, rectangular glass bottle.

Maybelline's Fit Me! Liquid Foundation

It took several minutes, and several sighs from my guy friends, before I found the correct shade. As a general rule, ALWAYS try the foundation out before buying the same shade you normally do in a different brand. In most foundation brands, I am on the paler end of the spectrum but in Fit Me!, I am right smack in the middle.  For those of you newbies, you can find the right shade by rubbing a small amount into the skin of your wrist - whatever color blends in there will work on your face. 

Fit Me! has several things going for it. For one, the liquid foundation and powder are both infused with SPF 18. As a girl who loves going out in the sun during the summer, but hates the inevitable red rash of pain that appears on her face and refuses to leave the house without foundation; this is a must. 

Aside from the SPF, this foundation is very light and breathable. I barely notice I have it on! Trust me when I say that there is no worse feeling than that of feeling as if you have tons of foundation caked onto your face. 

The third thing I love about this product is, although it doesn't mention it on the label, it is as good as any waterproof brand out there. I went swimming with this foundation on and it didn't come off. I was amazed.

For a low budget, this foundation certainly does the job. In a later post, I'll write about the absolute best, although pricey, foundation on the market. 

Maybelline's Fit Me! Collection

Pure Romance - Not Just for Erotic Needs

Pure Romance is one of my all time favorite places to buy bath products from. Many of you may not know what Pure Romance is or if you do, you may have a negative opinion of it as so many outside of the Pure Romance group do. Pure Romance was started in 1993 by Patty Brisben. It's won several awards for the quality of its products and for being one of the top companies in the country run completely by a woman. It runs off the same principal as Forever 21, Mary-Kay Cosmetics and such. Each consultant for the company has parties, generally 2-3 a month, where potential buyers are invited to show up, socialize, view products, and make purchases.

For those of you who do know about this company, it is not only for adult toys. The company has some decent beauty products to buy and I normally stock up every time I go to a party. My all time must have from the company? Glow Green Tea Shimmering Body Silk.

This lotion has an amazing smell and the greatest part about it is that it lasts all day. I put this or the Kiss Green Tea Body Splash on in the morning and regardless of what I do throughout the day, the fragrance does not leave. The other side affect is that it leaves my skin feeling extra soft.

The second product that is a must have is called Coochy Shave Lotion. I don't know about any of you, but before I started using this product, every time I shaved I would have red bumps appear on my legs from razor burn. Since using this product, I have not had that problem. It is also supposed to solve the problem of bumps on your underarms and bikini line after shaving. 

If you are looking for adult toys, Pure Romance does offer a wide selection of them including their new "Grey Collection" with items inspired by the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy. Not only are there adult toys, but there are also plenty of body oils and lubricants to choose from. For those of you who have allergies, Pure Romance boasts that all of its products are made for use by those with any allergy. 

There is a little drawback to the Pure Romance brand. You must be 18 or older to view their online shop or attend a party. For younger customers, you can always have a parent or sibling purchase the items for you - though I do recommend sticking with the beauty products!

http://ww2.pureromance.com/PUBLICSTORE/product/Glow,760,137.aspx

http://ww2.pureromance.com/PUBLICSTORE/product/Coochy,792.aspx