Monday, November 21, 2011

NYX on Hautelook Starting Today


Good Morning Beautiful, 

With the holidays approaching this Thursday and most of you enjoying a short work week. I thought I would share a great deal happening at HauteLook starting today and ending on Wednesday. I just discovered this website a few months back and its just amazing. You get wonderful discounted deals from the lasted jeans, makeup, shoes and beyond.

Starting today they have great discounted deals on NYX sets. I have not talked much about these but I would highly recommend them, their Jumbo Eye Pencils are just to die for. A little something about NYX is they are an amazing company that has a large selection and an affordable price. So click of to HauteLook now and get these amazing NYX deals.

NOTE: You will need to be invited via invitation so click the link here for your personal invite from me.

Happy Holidays
Amanda :)

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Penny Pinch Beauty Tip : Homemade Lip Balms

Making your own homemade is the best way to ensure your products are safe and helps your wallet. Below are several homemade recipes for LIP BALM.

  If you are not the crafty type or just don't have the time I will be happy to start making these and others products. I will begin selling them for anyone who is interested! Just let me know! :)

  Luscious Lavender Lip Balm Recipe

  • 4 Tbsp jojoba, almond, or olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp grated beeswax or beeswax pearls
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1/4 tsp vitamin E oil (or 3 punctured, squeezed out liquid vitamin E capsules)
  • 7 drops lavender essential oil (or other essential oil)
  • 1 tsp cocoa powder (optional)
  • 1 tsp colored, natural lipstick (optional, if you want it to have a hint of color)
Warm the oils, beeswax and honey in a small, stainless steel pot or bowl. Be sure to warm it on VERY low heat. (You can use a double boiler, if you’d like.) Stir until the beeswax is completely melted. Remove from heat and quickly whisk in the essential oil, vitamin E, cocoa powder, and colored lipstick. Place the bottom of the bowl into a shallow pan of ice water and continue whisking quickly as you add the honey. Once the honey is incorporated, quickly transfer the balm into your lip balm container (tube or tin) and allow to set for 3 hours.

Coco-Rosey Lip Balm Recipe

  • 2 Tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 Tbsp grated cocoa butter
  • 1 Tbsp dried rosebuds (or any dried flower, green tea, etc.)
  • 1/4 tsp vitamin E oil (or 3 punctured, squeezed out vitamin E capsules)
  • 3 drops rose essential oil (optional, or substitute lavender, vanilla, or sweet orange)
On very low heat, melt the coconut oil in a small stainless steel bowl or pot. After the oil is liquid, add your roses (or other dried flowers) and stir well. Allow to steep (again, on very low heat) for 1 hour. Strain oil into a bowl through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth. Wipe out your original heating pot/bowl, pour oil back in, and return to heat. Add cocoa butter and stir until melted. Remove from heat, add vitamin E oil and essential oil and stir well. Transfer to a small container and let set for 3 hours (or until completely set).

Minty Chocolate Lip Balm Recipe

  • 1 Tbsp grated beeswax or beeswax pearls
  • 1/8 c. coconut oil
  • 1/2 Tbsp shea butter
  • 1/2 Tbsp cocoa butter
  • 1/2 tsp honey
  • 1 tsp cocoa powder
  • 1/8 tsp vitamin E oil (or 2 punctured, squeezed out vitamin E capsules)
  • 3 drops peppermint essential oil
Place the shea and cocoa butters in a small pot or double boiler, and add the coconut oil. Heat over VERY low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. (Try not to let the mixture go over 175 degrees, or the shea butter could end up a little gritty.) Add the beeswax and stir well. After the beeswax has completely melted, remove the mixture from the heat and add the essential oil, honey, vitamin E, and cocoa powder, whisking well the whole time. After everything is incorporated and smooth, transfer to a lip balm tube or tin and allow to set for 3 hours.
  
Note: You can find the containing jars at Hobby Lobby, Michael's, Amazon or CoastalScents as well as some of the ingredients. I prefer CoastalScents because they have everything in one place so I can make one order and they are much cheaper.


Happy Penny Pinching :)

Recipes and photos courtesy of Crunch Betty

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Penny Pinch Beauty Tip: Citrus Salt Body Scrub





A wonderful exfoliant and full body moisturizer for use in the shower. Leave a jar near your outdoor shower at the beach to add a healthy glow to dull dry skin.

Ingredients Add to grocery list

1/2 cup sea salt
1/2 cup sweet almond oil
(can substitute light olive oil or vegetable oil)
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon orange zest

Directions

In a medium dry bowl, combine all ingredients making sure to not let any water touch them as it will dissolve the salt. Pour mixture into an airtight container and store in a cool dry place.
To use: Just before showering, swirl ingredients together with your fingertips to mix. Clean body completely and just before exiting shower, apply Citrus Salt Body Scrub to body in a firm circular scrubbing motion with hands or a soft washcloth. Rinse off the mixture and pat body dry with a clean towel.

Tools You May Need

Mixing bowls

Recipe Courtesy of Paula Deen