BEAUTY IS A LIFESTYLE THING

Winter is here and snow is on the ground, bring in some floral design into your home to brighten up your day. Designing tablescapes or centerpieces in a "bowl" or "dish garden" are fun and easy to make with even things that are on-hand at home. Photo credit: Chikako C.

Thank you so much for the awesome Cutex and Revlon products!  Cutex has been providing nail care for the beauty industry since 1911. Cutex is the leader in this part of the beauty industry.  Thank you again to Cutex and to Revlon, as I participated in a June Influenster Goddess Box Box. Reviews for each of the full size products to follow.

The FDA just banned an active Ingredient in this toothpaste! This ingredient is named triclosan.  It is in antibacterial hand soaps and in Colgate Total toothpaste. It is known to cause disruptions in the hormone levels and thyroid function. The makers of this brand of toothpaste convinced the FDA that it had valid anti-dental disease agents and properties. The maker has said they have the appropriate testing and results to say that it actually works for these dental/gum diseases. So the FDA gave it a pass. Why take the chance?  Use something else or use one of the many natural products out there.

Calling for Random Acts of Kindness. If you know have experienced or have witnessed an Act of Kindness, Social Moms wants to hear about it. Social Moms has started what they call "social good initiative" at Megan Media, it's a program called #SocialMomsLetters The Social Moms group will have a different theme each month to inspire action and raise awareness. The theme of #randomactsofkindness #socialmomsletters  Please write a letter to the person/persons that helped you, what happened and how their act of kindness has affected you.  Please make a submittal less than 300 words, please use the hashtag #socialmomsletters by September 14, 2016. Social Moms will make a $10. donation to a charity, up to 10 letters each month. Please go to www.socialmoms.com That's fabulous!

Here's a current list of things in the world that may need your thoughtfulness. See the above definition and act and react as you can. If one can do more than pray, please do. Acts of God/natural disasters, need prayers and acts of helpful, concerned and charitable individuals to help rebuild, console, feed, comfort and listen to those in need. Be one of those if you can. Current as of 8/25/16 writing: Italian Earthquake: 247 killed   many still unaccounted for, full entire towns leveled many thousands displaced. Myanmar Earthquake: 4 killed  many minor injuries  some 2,200 temples & pagodas dating from the 10th to 14th centuries in disrepair, some totaled. Tornado Indiana USA 20 minor injuries (thank god) over 200 family's displaced, many commercial buildings in many counties in disrepair. Southern California USA aggressive Forest Fires so much acreage has burnt, so many without homes. East Idaho USA Wildfires Threaten Grand Teton National Park/Forest ...

Getting rid of fine lines and wrinkles has entered a new age.  The industry of skin care and anti-aging has risen to an incredible status. This market has become huge; billions of dollars are being spent to advertise it to you and billions of dollars are being spent as consumers try its products and services. Dermatologists and skin care officials agree that the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles can occur at any time on the facial skin, but statistically someone in their 30’s (mid to late) will likely have some. Fine lines are caused by the skin naturally breaking down by the loss of collagen and elastin, as well as environmental exposure to the sun and everyday pollutants. One other factor that causes fine line and wrinkles is just simple genetics. Though one cannot control genetics that you’re given, it will play a role in how quickly your skin will age. These genetics plays a role in  “sagging jowls”, or even “turkey neck” and “laugh lines” or “heavy lids...

I really enjoyed the featured products in this past month's #voxbox  from @Influenster ! This Voxbox contained a great variety of beauty things~ SinfulColors Professional Nail polish porcelain matte in #1719, Glazy Sunday Dickinson's Hydrating Toner  16 oz  (with enhanced /witch hazel) Always Pads Pantene Shampoo Pantene Conditioner Cutex Nail Polisher remover pads Downy deodorizing beads Ebates coupon! Fabulous Stuff Influenster! *"I received these products complimentary fromInfluenster for testing purposes."

Don't let anyone tell you that you can't!

Here's a quick review! Great new product!  Great for on the go, in your purse or in the locker.  No spills No mess. These nail polish remover pads were filled with the right amount of remover. The pad took the nail polish right off. The pads contain perilla seed oil, flaxseed and apricot kernel botanical oils. Cutex claims it strengthens the nail too! One pad does all ten nails! Very convenient and smells excellent!  I give this product a 5 ***** review. @cutexnails @influenster "I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes." https://www.instagram.com/p/BIQVadSDvl9/?taken-by=beautyisabeastblog

Women always have mixed opinions on what types of clothing maximizes the bust line and minimizes the bust line at the same time. If you're an endowed woman, have no fear, here's what I've gathered: Too much fabric in front (i.e. gathers, ruffles, ties) is simply bad on the eye. A lot of fabric there will only make the bust line appear bigger and that is actually bad visually. V-necks, depending on the size of the opening itself can go either way, a smaller v-neck will most likely look bad and bust may appear larger, and a low v-neck may enhance and show the girls in great light, but it won't be for the family event or in church for example. So what can one do to enhance and not inflate the situation?  Here's the scoop:  a scoop neckline provides a middle ground for the girls to relax in~ This type of neckline will accentuate the positive and have just enough coverage to ensure modesty at public events. So now that you have the scoop, enjoy picking out some...

Ok beauty sleep lovers... if you can't get the proper amount of sleep, and we know how vital that is, please do try #ZzzQuil !  It's a non-habit forming sleep aid, and I tried it as part of the #sleeplovers campaign with my #Influenster site. I will say that I was sleeping soundly within about 20 minutes. I also woke up feeling rested and refreshed. Also please note that this is only for sleep and has no pain component at all. I can't give this a 5 star review because it is something one has to or can take, and I believe nothing should replace the act of falling asleep naturally. My review 4 stars **** Thank you to @Influenster and @ZzzQuil for the sample for testing purposes.

Waxing The City! Expert Spa waxing services without paying the high-end Spa price tag!!! There were four founders that began the Waxing The City studios to offer facial and body waxing services exclusively! The four founders are: Summer Vasilas, Marilyn Hartshorn, Robin Schoh and Alex Jimenez. They began their business in Colorado. Now they are located in many states across the country as well as now being located in 2,500 Anytime Fitness Clubs. They only employ licenced estheticians, who also undergo and complete an extensive training course and then once completed they are called Cerologist Technicians. The waxing products are custom formulated hard wax from Spain, for the facial and sensitive body areas, and for larger body areas, a golden soft wax is offered. The golden soft wax will comfort skin and will remove even the most stubborn hair. The studio treatment rooms and equipment is cleaned and sterilized between each service. And the wax is never reused. If you are ...

Hi Readers! You can join Mary Kay in making a big difference for woman & children who are survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault~  How?  One can purchase a limited and special lipstick in pink in the "Beauty That Counts" program.  They are running this program to support women's shelters and survivors of abuse through its Mary Kay Foundation. Mary Kay is committed to helping to end Domestic Violence. In the United States, the program runs from 4/26/16 through 8/15.2016. You can obtain this offer through your local Mary Kay Consultant or they are available at their full official website at : www.MaryKay.com Isn't that a beautiful thing? *I have no affiliation with this company, this post is for the expressed interest of issues concerning women.

Are your hands a tad shaky?  Have you tried almost every trick in the book for applying eyeliner? But I'd be willing to bet that this information may curl your toes at how easy it is to get that perfect liner! Please see an quick little article from PureWow: www.purewow.com

You've come along way baby......... Things in the gym have changed; working out isn't about all or nothing..... The way one works out has as much to do with the final results as what exercises you do! 3 Myths were: 1. calorie myth: It turns out it's not true if you exercise more it burns more calories and more calories equals weight loss~ 2. do only a single type of exercise each day~ again not true Cardio and resistance should go together! 3. exercising too hard, too long and too frequently ~ It will pump too much cortisol! By working out smarter you'll get the results you'll need, for example: Short bursts of exercise burns way more calories! Work smarter NOT harder! Include cardio, resistance and physical conditioning in your overall workout. Rest when you feel you need to. This will help to spark that "calorie burning machine" to work on its own! And even if one cannot achieve a full 30 minutes of quick burst e...

Since February the runways have been filled with all of the Spring trends that are hitting the stores with fury right now. Here's some of the new trends you'll be seeing and wearing: Any type of Bomber style jacket, hottest are light leathers (for men too) to ward off the chilly days and nights of up and down Spring weather. Updated cotton/silky button down blouses in florals, stripes,and modified leopard prints, and ruffles, ruffles and ruffles! Exposing the shoulders: from dresses to tops and blouses, off the shoulder and shoulder cut outs will become the norm. From silks to cottons to dress up or dress down off the shoulder is in! Back to Boho.......has it ever left? Picking up steam and in summer gauze for light and airy heat relief to take through spring and summer. High neck halter style bikinis and a return into the 70's they will be in sporty styles and in other materials like crochet. Hot stuff in the surf. Now onto the feet, get your pedicures rea...

Did you ever think of your brain when you're trying out a new beauty product?  Never. To maintain a healthy brain, according to Johns Hopkins neurologist Barry Gordon, M.D., We have to do things that engage us socially. According to a 2015 study that was conducted, it's said that retirees were brought into schools to work directly with children in different school day activities and their brain shrinkage was halted by half and not only that the study concluded that their brains actually grew in volume! So in conclusion, it's great to do a crossword or sodoku puzzle, but engage yourself with real people doing real things and you've added not only to your life, you have engaged in healthy exercise of your brain! That's easy and oh so beautiful!

What's in your bag? Here is a short list of 6 Simple go-to make up items that will get you through the day and into the night: 1. foundation  (look for one that contains an SPF &  a moisturizer) BB Creams are really versatile. *be sure to pack a sponge or foundation brush. 2. an eye shadow duo or small purse sized palette *to transition to night, go in and wing out the deepest of the pallet or the duo to make a "quickie" smokey eye. 3. mascara/eyeliner *reapply from day to night and wing out the liner so that it is more significant to be seen in lower light. 4. blush    *to update place bove your contour lines. 5. gloss or lipstick 6. eye shadow brush, multi-use brush,foundation brush This is a well rounded bag. For myself I would add a few things, a q-tip, makeup sponge,concealer and perhaps a lipstick pencil. But if you are out this small bag of essentials will keep you looking your best~ What's in your bag?

Introducing my personal hair colorist and stylist Amber Mancha.First place winner of Chicago's talent and She is now going to be a t.v. personality on the WICU network in Chicago! Congratualtions Amber Mancha!!!

13 Ways Of Looking At A Fat Girl book by Mona Awad This fictional book published by  Penguin Group USA, in paperback has 224 pages and is a current bestseller and recommended read. It is a brilliant look at how the main character Lizzie thwarts her image obsessive culture and even her own self esteem. This is quite relate able to a lot of girls and women. Suggested: 15 years old and up.

Girls and women are constantly, on a daily basis, being bombarded with stereotypes regarding their body images. They are unrealistic and unattainable and are usually driven by a male enhanced environment. In 2010, the Dove Brand of the Unilever company had a vision, they wanted to widen out the definition of what is real beauty. The Dove Brand then went on and created a movement that swept the United States called The Dove Movement for Self Esteem. If you haven't as of yet visited, please do go to the website and see the great amount of information and the advances made since their inception. It is wonderful to share with our daughters and our sons to raise strong girls and beautiful sons of vision. www.m.dove.us

March is National Women's History Month Women played very intricate parts in the history of the United States, but I'll be willing to bet you may not have known about them. Please check out: www.nwhp.org  this is a link to the National Women's History Project. This information and pamphlets are helpful to teach, inform and empower! ****For example**** On March 31, 1776,  Abigail Adams wrote to her husband John Adams, who was helping to frame the Declaration of Independence, cautions "Remember the ladies....."                                                        Check it out!   Happy National Women's History Month!