Beauty Week Day 3 - Hair!

Today, we talk about one of the things that can stand out most about your appearance. HAIR. People even have mood changes depending on if it's a bad hair day or not. (I may or may not have been grumpy due to my unruly locks). People spend good money on getting there hair done - cut, colored and styled just perfectly. I have also been one of those people. Today we will have some lovely ladies talk about how to create a great hair style.

Hello She Said readers! I am Rylie from Compelled, and I am here to talk to you about your crowning glory, the mane attraction -- that's right, your hair. The messy, el natural look is so in right now...But for girls like me who don't have that scrumptious hair naturally, I have some great news: I've found a solution! It's called curling your hair with a flat iron. I know it sounds very anticlimactic, but trust me, it works!

There are two different 'types of curls' that you can do with a flat iron: 

The twist: 

1). Simply take a strand of hair and -- you guessed it -- twist it! 

2). Flat iron the twist.

 The curl: 

1). Hold the flat iron horizontally as close to your head as you can get.

2). Slowly start to turn the flat iron in a circle. (TIP: Always make sure the curls are curled away from your face.)

3). By the end, you should have reached somewhere between a 180* and a 270* turn.

And the end result:

Ta-daaaa!

When I curl my hair, I use both interchangeably... Though I probably try to use the curl more, it just works better with my hair type. 

I sure have enjoyed this! Thank you so much, Michelle, for letting me talk to your gals! :)

-Rylie.

Did this tutorial not work for you? You might want to try this one, or this one, maybe even this one.

Beauty Week Day 2 - Make Up

Hi everyone!

My name is Haley and I blog over at For Everything There is a Season (come say hi)!

I've been happily married to my best friend Brice for two years now.  And, together we have a beautiful 13 month old little girl named Sophie.  We are also expecting our 2nd little miracle in March of 2012!  I enjoy staying at home with my kids, dabbling in photography, and the good Lord above.

Michelle asked me to blog about makeup! It's something I don't talk about a lot but ohhh, how I love it!  Even if I don't have time to do much during the day chasing down a toddler and keeping up with housework, I try and make it a point to go and do something special to my hair and makeup before the day ends.  Let's be real, if you look good, you FEEL good and confidence is everything!  

I will share a few of my tips and favorite products!

First off.  The most important thing is that you take care of your skin.  Make sure you start off with clean, fresh skin when applying make up.  

This is one set of products that I love.  There are gentle exfoliating beads within which are perfect for scrubbing away dead skin and makeup.  This does have salicylic acid in it, which you aren't advised to use while pregnant.  For pregnant mama's (or anyone who is interested) try...

A natural cleanser.  Did you know that cleansing your skin with OIL can actually be more beneficial than soap? I had no idea until I started researching natural beauty supplies.  Here's a great article if you want to read more.  You can use various oils depending on your skin type and needs. It's all natural and simple to make.

Now that you have a fresh face let's move on to FOUNDATION!

Foundation is one of those things that you either do it right...or you do it way wrong! Be sure to get the proper color.  There is nothing worse than a noticeable foundation line, whether it's not well blended into the neckline, or is too dark or too light.  The easiest way to find your shade is to TEST them out!  Put a thin layer of 3 foundations you think are closest to your skin tone on your wrist or jawline and let it sit and dry for a minute or two.  After it's dry whichever one blends in the MOST is your shade. 

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What are your skin needs? Do you need a lot of coverage, or would you rather have something light.  Look at labels! If it says "matte wear" or is made for woman of age, chances are it's going to be a thicker, more dense foundation.  If you want something light, go for a tinted moisturizer or a luminous, buildable foundation.  

TIP:  Don't forget to apply it to your eyelids and blend a little into your neck for blending purposes!  Blending it on your eyelids makes eyeshadow look better and is a great base for holding it on.  

Some of my favorite Foundations are:

Mary Kay Luminous Wear foundation (my sister in law sells Mary Kay and everything I have tried by them is fabulous).

CoverGirl Natureluxe foundation.  This you can get at your local drugstore, Walmart, Target etc.  It goes on like a dream and is not too heavy! The coverage is perfect.  One of my favorite foundations I've tried from a convenience store!

Let's talk about lips! HAVE FUN with them! Don't be afraid to try a pop of color on a toned down face. (One of my favorite looks).  Do bright red lipstick and a winged eyeliner lid! You can't get much more classic than that.  

TIP: For dry, peeling lips.  Take a soft tooth brush with a tiny amount of tooth paste and gently exfoliate your lips.  It will brush away all of the dead skin and leave your lips feeling tingly and soft.  Make sure to moisturize them and keep them looking their best!

Lastly, I'd like to talk about eyes! Which are the funnest thing to play up.  Practice makes perfect when it comes to makeup.  Believe me, I've had raccoon eyes and overplucked eyebrows to show for it.  

For eyeliner, I almost always use liquid eyeliner.  It takes a steady hand to put on, but once you get used to it, it's so much easier than a pencil! (That's just my opinion).  I like the look of liner on the top, and very little, or no liner on the bottom.  It's all about eye shape and what you are comfortable with.  If I wear a lot of liner on my bottom lid, it tends to make my eye look smaller.  Keeping a clean lower lid can really open up the eye and give you a clean look.  

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Don't be afraid to experiment.  The wonderful thing about makeup is that you can wash it off and start fresh if you have turned your face into a disaster.  

Remember, that your goal should be to enhance the natural beauty you already have! Use resources like youtube and google and look for fun makeup tutorials! There are a ton out there, that can be really helpful if you are looking to achieve a specific look.  

Thanks for checking out my guest post! And thank you to Michelle for letting me take up some space on her lovely blog.  

What are some of your beauty tips and products?

Beauty Week Day 2 - Make Up!

Hello everyone! It's me, Michelle. I figured I would post on the day that I have the most "experience" in... experience as in wearing it a long long time. I have always been wearing make up since I was 13. I seriously do not leave the house with out it. I don't usually go fancy with my eyeshadow or anything like that, I just don't have the time these days, but I do wear the basics everyday. Since I have tried many different make up products, I thought I would share some of my top 5 must haves for the face!(please forgive me, but I do not have pictures of myself to put up because I am taking care of a sick baby and don't have time to get dolled up and take photos...)


1. MOISTURIZER - I have really dry skin and because of this I tend to break out easily, so a good moisturizer is a must have. My favorite is St. Ives Timeless Skin Collagen Elastin Facial Moisturizer. Not only does this moisturizer work really well, but a little bit goes a long way AND is is extremely well priced! You can find this on amazon (that's where I get it) and I believe they carry it at most drugstores.

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 2. GREAT FOUNDATION - great foundation to me is one that last a long time, doesn't rub off easily, and can match my skin color perfectly. I used to have the perfect cream foundation for my skin. I used it for 4 years and swore I was going to use it for the rest of my life. Until that company went out of business (it was a local beauty salon brand - Face Factory). I had to scramble to find a new brand that would work. After trying many many unsuccessful foundations, I have finally found my favorite one! It is a liquid foundation from Estee Lauder called Double Wear. It is long lasting, stays in place and has SPF 10. (I use Desert Beige color, in case you were wondering). This makeup has lasted the longest throughout the day, I seriously only need to apply it once in the morning and I am set! This foundation does make my face a little dry, but that is what the above moisturizer is for. You can find this at most major department store cosmetic sections. If I had to choose what my most crucial makeup product is, it would be foundation, I feel naked without it.

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3. MASCARA - I don't have one perfect mascara, I like to mix it up and try lots of new types that just come out.  But I do stick with the same brand : Maybelline. I just love all of thier mascaras, they have never let me down. I have currently been using Maybelline's one by one volum' express. I have stuck with this "series" (for lack of  a better term) for about a year and a half now and I really like it. It seems to separate my lashes more and adds a little plumpness to them. I have naturally long lashes, but they are rather skinny. I never leave the house without mascara, I feel like I don't look like myself without it!

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4. BLUSH- I have two faves that I use on a daily basis. Bare Minerals also known as Bare Escentuals has an amazing darker red blush. It takes barely any to have a deep rosy hue. Unfortunately, I don't know what color it is, but it definitely is a dark rusty color.  All I have to do is tap just a teeny bit into the lid and lightly brush it on my face.A tiny bit really goes a long way and you do have to be careful not to go overboard with this.


I also love Mary Kay blushes and bronzers. My go to everyday blush use is the Mary Kay Bronzing Powder in Sandstone color. This brand is reasonably priced as well and last a long time.  When I am not wearing very much color, I like to make my cheeks pop with a more pink color, and I apply it right to the apples of my cheeks. I use Mary Kay® Mineral Cheek Color Strawberry Cream.

 Bare Minerals - source

Mary Kay  Bronzer - Source

mary kay blush - souce

5. EYELINER - I use black and always waterproof. I really doesn't matter what brand, I will go for anything. I have found that some cheaper brands like Wet and Wild actually outlast more of the known brands like cover girl. Currently I am using NYC waterproof  eyeliner pencil in very black. It came as a 2 pack for $3. Score! I use it on both my eye lid and the inside of my lower lid when I am feeling a bit more dramatic. It last a long time and super easy to put on, it is creamy and glides very smoothly.

So there you have it, my top 5 basics for everyday wear makeup. You should definitely check these products out! I would love to hear what your must have products are!

Beauty Week Day 1 - Beauty Routine

Hello, She Said readers!  I am so happy to be here with you all today!  Michelle was one of the very first blogs I started following. She is such a beautiful lady, and inspirational blogger.  I am also very excited to be apart of She Said's Beauty Week!

Today I am going to be talking about au naturale skin and hair care. But first, allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Mandy, and I blog over at "She Breathes Deeply."  I am au naturale skin care junkie, blogged obsessed, tattoo wearing, tea drinking, christian yoga instructing, wife to a wonderful man, and mama to a beautiful, bouncing baby girl.  Now that we have the introductions out of the way, let's talk skin and hair.  

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First, hair.  Allow me to introduce you to a oil that is going to change your life- cold pressed virgin coconut oil.  (You can, and will thank me later.)   This hair treatment is SUPER easy, and new mom friendly (read: I have no time to spend on my hair with an 8 month old on my hip).  

Here is what you do:  

Step 1: Depending on how thick and long your hair is, scoop out some coconut oil, rub it on your hands to warm it up (it will liquefy), or you can melt it on the stove in a small sauce pan.  Careful not to burn yourself if you have heated the oil.  

Step 2:  Apply all over your hair, from roots to tips.  Coconut oil is really great for your scalp, as well, so massage a little on your head, as well.  Allow it to sit on your hair for as long as you like.  I usually put some in 15 minutes before I am ready to shower and allow it to soak in.  

Step 3:  Shampoo and condition as normal.  

Step 4: Repeat this process 2-3 times a week. 

Coconut oil's health benefits for your skin, hair, and body are INCREDIBLE.  Don't believe me?  Try googling coconut oil.  I think you will be impressed.

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Second.  Let's talk about skin.  I don't know about you, but at the end of a long day, all I want is a hot shower to pamper myself.  I love body scrubs, but I don't like using artificial ingredients on my skin.  Here is a recipe for a scrub that is oh, so scrumptious, and will make your skin happier than it ever has been before.  

Step 1:  In a bowl, combine half of a cup of brown sugar, 2-3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, 2-3 tablespoons of coconut oil, 2 tablespoons of sea salt, and just about a teaspoon of jojoba oil.  (To be completely honest, I never measure my ingredients... I just eyeball it until all the brown sugar is nice a moistened by all the yummy oils.)  Mix this all together.  

Step 2:  Exfoliate!  In the shower, gently exfoliate by massaging the mixture on to your skin in circular motions.  

Step 3:  Repeat this process a couple times a week, or when ever you feel the need to exfoliate.  

Well, ladies... I hope you absolutely love these homemade recipes for skin and hair care.  Stop by my blog for more tips, or just to say hello!  www.shebreathesdeeply.com

Beauty Week Day1-Beauty Routine

Hey guys, my name is Mallorie and I write over at Home is with you... today I'll be sharing with you all my daily beauty routine! I try my best to only use all natural products because the stuff you put on your skin seeps into your pores and well, we don't want any nasty chemicals in our bodies now do we?

 First I start with this moisturizer. Not only is it super moisturizing (which is really important since I tend to have dry skin), but it has just the right amount of SPF...

 Then I put a dab of this around each eye. Make sure to use your ring fingers because they are the weakest of our fingers and will do the least amount of damage to our skin...

The first thing I do at night is use face wipes to take off my makeup...gently...

 Then I put a nightly repairing cream on....

 ...and this bad boy is what I use if I ever start to feel a breakout coming on...a little dab of this works miracles, I'm speak the truth here people. Honestly I don't know where to get it, my Mom is a hairstylist and gets it for me at one of the beauty suppliers, but I'm sure you can order it online or something. You won't regret it!

So there you have my daily beauty routine for my face...please come say hi to me over on my blog, I love new friends :)

Beauty Week Day1-Beauty Routine!

Today starts BEAUTY WEEK! We have some fabulous ladies willing to share what they know and help us with some tips and tricks from beauty routines to the right accessories. I have multiple post for each day, so make sure you check back throughout the day!

Also, if you have any tips and tricks to share, make sure to comment, or even write your own blog post and leave the link in the comment sections! I am sure we would all love to hear your beauty secrets too!


Today we start with the basics: BEAUTY ROUTINE.
Our first blogger is Liv from the blog Soul Singing Liv. Love this girls writing and her outlook on life. It makes me happy just reading her blog! So without further ado.......

Hello, my name is Liv and I am a free-spirited, new experience craving, music loving, peace seeking, soul singing butterfly.  My blog is a special place where I store away all of my treasures, a place where I record our daily adventures and reflect on the simple  blessings in life.  I love writing, learning new ideas, making music, taking photos, and collecting sentimental pieces.   I spend my days balancing my time between working as a nurse and building a career I am passionate about while also being a wife and mama to my precious family.  Together, we spend our days striving for peace in our hearts, kindness in our words, and adventure in our souls.

I am SO excited to be a part of She Said's Beauty Week!!  Michelle is such a beautiful,stylish mama and I honestly feel out of my league in such lovely company!

I am a pretty earthy, no frills kind of girl: I wear my hair long and embrace my natural curls, I enjoy make-up and what it does to make me feel glamorous but I don't wear it everyday.  However, when it comes to my skin, I am ridiculously high maintenance. My grandmother bought me my very own Noxzema and Oil of Olay products on my thirteenth birthday, presenting them to me in her bathroom like some kind of Southern Belle rite of passage.  She gave me specific instructions to stay out of the sun, avoid cigarettes like the plague, and to always, without fail, wash and moisturize my face every morning and every night.  I have tried to honor my beautiful, Cajun mama ever since: understanding the importance of taking care of your skin now in order to preserve it later.

I've been a product junkie for years, trying every skin care line I could get my hands on, hording samples and experimenting with different combinations.  I experienced adult acne when I was 27 and 28, got a mild case of melasma when I was pregnant with my second child, battle undereye circles daily thanks to my olive complexion, and started seeing REAL wrinkles this past summer.  Two years ago, I finally found a line that was able to address all of those issues: Murad.  I haven't looked back since. 

Murad is a gentle skin care line that has treated my acne symptoms without burning and damaging my skin.  It has helped correct the pigment problems caused by my pregnancy hormones without using harsh chemicals.  And, best of all, it has reduced my fine lines and wrinkles and made my skin tone smooth and even.  I also never leave the house without my Dermalogica Total Eye Care cream: an undereye moisturizer that contains an SPF 15 AND is tinted to cover dark circles.   The last step is a foundation primer made by Merle Norman that I simply can NOT live without: Luxiva Foundation Primer.  It keeps my makeup fresh all day long and gives my skin that dewy glow I love so much.

Above all, though, I think that beauty really does come from within.  I feel my prettiest when I'm surrounded by the ones I love, when I'm laughing my deepest belly laugh, smiling my big cheesy grin.  God has blessed us all with a beautiful and unique version of ourselves, creating a perfect canvas for us to delve into and make our own.  To me, there is nothing more beautiful than a woman who believes in herself, a girl who can stand on her own two feet and be proud of who she is.

Embrace your inner light and let it shine!

Bye Bye Binky!

I didn't want to say anything for about 2 weeks, just in case it was just an off couple of weeks because Chloe's top 2 front teeth came in, but now it's official! Chloe weaned herself from the binky!
It was quite hilarious because the weekend before it happend, she was obsessed with her binky. She had stayed the weekend with my mom and my mom said she needed the binky. She ended up loosing it in a restaurant and so my mom had to rush out to get another (she even got 2 as a back up). Then, the day after she gets back home from Grandmas, she doesn't need the pacifier anymore. Crazy. We gave her the binky one day, she sucked on it for a second, then just took it out and for the whole week whenever I would give her the binky it would be the same thing, she would pull it out after 1 suck (as weird as that sounds, I just don't know how to word it any other way). And she hasn't wanted the binky since. Although, sometimes I wish she would want it again, especially while crying because we have to put her to bed at night.... I was starting to dread having to wean her from the binky and was thinking about doing after 13 months, but she did it all on her own in a matter of a day!

We are so proud of our little girl, she is growing up so fast!!!!

Beauty Week - Next Week!

I am going to tell you a little secret. I have been feeling really icky lately about the way I look. I don't know if I am just stuck in a rut of wearing the same things over and over again. Maybe it's the fact that I haven't had my hair cut or since Chloe was still inside my belly. Maybe its that I don't change up my makeup routine and I look the same day in day out. Whatever it is, all I know is I NEED SOME CHANGE!

So this upcoming week will be BEAUTY WEEK! Each day for next week I will have guest bloggers visit and share about their fashion and beauty tips.

Monday October 24th is Beauty Routine

Tuesday October 25th is Hair

Wednesday October 26th is Make Up

Thursday October 27th is Fashion

Friday October 28th is Accessories.

I have some really good bloggers lined up, you can see who they are with the banners on the right. Seriously can't wait to hear and share all the good tips and tricks! Make sure you come by each day and check out what's new. Also, check out the guest bloggers! ---->

Pumpkin Patch Time! (pictures galore)

On Saturday we went up to Bates Nut Farm with James' dad and step mom. This is one of the very few actual pumpkin patches we have in San Diego. The day was hot (we were really hoping for some cooler, fall weather) and the place was very busy. We had tons of fun!  

They had animals you can feed like goats, pot belly pigs (so cute!) sheep, ducks, geese, chickens, emus, llamas, donkeys and more. They had a petting area too, but Chloe couldn't care less about petting the animals. We got her close to a goat and she was good for about 1 minute, then she was over it the rest of the day. But she did love to watch them, especially the chickens. 

They had hay rides, pony rides, rock climbing, those HUGE jumpy activity centers, a live band and lots of yummy food. We only partook in the corn maze. Which actually didn't contain any corn at all, it was just a short wall made of hay bales that intertwined. You had to find 8 mail stations and stamp them off on your paper to be put in a special drawing. Chloe's favorite part of the maze was getting to play with the paper. ha. (In fact, we still have the paper and her face lights up when she sees it. Maybe it's the bright orange color?)

I promise she is happy here.

Chloe stayed with Papa pretty much the whole time, I was very impressed. She LOVED being held the entire time. She even was good when he held her on his shoulders. She was pointing at everything and really enjoyed herself. 

They have a real patch that you can go pick the pumpkins from. We opted for a small Cinderella pumpkin that will hopefully last me for fall decor for November. I also got a small white, orange and tiger pumpkin. And a fun multi-colored bumpy squash. They will make quite a centerpiece for our table.

I really wanted this squash. I though it would be great to prop it with a skeleton making a phone call....

 These were James' favorite. They look like Zombie pumpkins

 They had a scarecrow contest the weekend before we went so we were able to see all the creative scarecrows that others came up with. My favorite was the owl (of course) and James was Jack Skellington. The Dia De Los Muertos one was also on my fave list.

 I seriously LOVE all the faces she makes. So cute!