DIY Friday: lip scrub

I love how soft my lips feel & look when I use a lip scrub. I've wanted to try the Fresh lip scrub, but I know they add things that I don't really want on my lips... Like preservatives, chemicals, etc! But this way I know what's going in the scrub and on my lips! Plus, this is budget & wallet friendly! Where as the Fresh scrub is $24 for a small pot... Ouch! 

Here is what you'll need:

-Organic sugar

-Coconut oil (in the winter time it will turn into a solid mass, but you can still use it!)

-Essential oil (I used peppermint, but you can use any scent.)

Put the sugar into the bowl, I used about 1/4 cup. But you can use more if you'd like.

Then add about 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. If it is solid, I would heat it before adding it to the sugar.

Stir it and see if it's the right consistency, if not you'll want to add a touch more of sugar. 

Then add the essential oil of your choice. I added 3 drops, I would say you can add up to 5 drops if you would like.

Then stir it all up! And you now have an awesome lip scrub! That costed maybe $3, if that!  

Perfect for using before applying matte or highly pigmented lipsticks. Also this great for gifts for Christmas, birthdays, or hostess gifts! 

How to apply the lip scrub:

1. Put a dime size of scrub on your forefinger & middle finger. 

2. Place it on you lips and swirl/scruff off the dead skin. Open your mouth and stretch your lips, to get between the wrinkles in your lips.

3. Then use a wash cloth to remove the excess sugar and dead skin. 

4. Apply your lipstick! 

Remember, this scrub will actually plump your lips! And drinking enough water will too! 

Hope you try this & happy Friday! -Ryn

Beauty Find: Retro Matte

Yesterday, after church, mom and I decided to run errands. Well, one of my errands was to stop by Nordstrom.  (which is a BIG joke, no one just "stops by" in Nordstrom!) Anyway, we walked in and stayed for awhile, because a couple of weeks ago, my sister gave me a lipstick for running her errands, well that shade wasn't the one I liked, I think was called something Moroccan, so I had tried on lady bug, but they only had one tube left! And some lady snatched it from me. So I chose chili(because the sales girl, and might I add, rude sales girl pressured me into buying it.) Chili is a matte btw, and wasn't the greatest of shades on me... (But if you have it and rock it then more power to ya! 😉) Jokes on her though, I just exchanged it for the lady bug lustre! And I just adore it! It's the perfect fall color... Besides rebel... That ones a rich berry color and it's divine! 

I put the same aesthetic into choosing make up as I do with buying clothes and accessories,(and what tell my clients ALL the time, which is: if you don't love it, You will never want to wear it! 

I couldn't really get myself to wear that chili lipstick because I didn't feel my most confident self in that shade! For me, it wasn't a shade I was happy to wear! I'm sure most of you know how that is too!

Sorry, when I took this pic I was in a loopy mood! 

Here's a real smile! : )

It's simple tactic really, if you love something, you're going feel good about wearing it but if you're "ehh" on an item, chances are you will never feel comfortable wearing it and its better to save your money on something you really do love and buy that!

So just before I end up getting the lady bug shade... I spot MAC's new retro matte collection... Oh man! It was lovely! It has only been on the floor for a week and all of the shades were beautiful! So I contemplated whether to just get one of these matte beauties instead of lady bug or to just tack one of these shades onto my bill... I chose the latter... I bought the 'relentlessly red' and if you ask me, it's not really red, but more of a hot pinky coral. But I just really liked it! 

Even though it was the first day of fall, which I can now say "HAPPY FALL!!!"  I can't stray too far away from my bright lips tradition, because I just adore the bold lip look!(It's become my signature look) This shade will work in fall & winter too... or I'll just make it work! They also had a berry color, but they were out of it... Whew! I probably would have bought that one as well...

But you must go see this collection! It's worth it! Or you can go online and check out the outstanding colors! www.maccosmetics.com

Oh and they're $15.00ea.+tax.

And since it's a matte, it is drier & it's harder to reapply when you need to, because sometimes it makes your lips look like you need to scruff them...but the positive side to matte lipsticks are the fact that they act like a stain. And because they are so highly pigmented, they stay on your beautiful pout throughout your day! So buying a matte shade is worth it! I would just use a granulated sugar & olive oil mixture and scruff off the layer of dead skin on your lips before applying! You can also apply some lip balm like EOS or Burt's bees to give your lips a dewy-er look to them.

So anyway, I hope you have a happy Monday & a happy 2nd day of fall! 

And go see the new collection... I mean it! ; ) love y'all!

-Ryn

Beauty find: NYX Lip cream

OMG! This stuff is uhh-mazing! 

Like I said a few posts ago, I'm on a red lipstick kick, well, I was watching MMandLshow on YouTube the other night and on one of their favorites videos, Laura mentioned she really liked the NYX soft matte lip cream. Of course hers was in pink, but she just loves it! So when I was at Nordstrom rack the other day to get a birthday gift, they have NYX products there, and so I checked to see if they had this lipgloss, and they did! So I wasn't sure if I wanted pink, but I did really like the red "Amsterdam" lip cream color (I even fooled my makeup artist sister with this color, since she thought this was MAC rubywoo lipstick)!!! It's the perfect texture on your lips! You can barely tell its on your lips. Its almost like a stain. it stays through everything. You may need to reapply throughout the day, but never the dame with a traditional lipgloss! i just love the matte-ness to it!

It's comes in a tube, like lipgloss but minus the gloss effect! Since I'm on a gloss hiatus, I'm so glad I picked this cream up! 

Right now I'm loving a natural bronzed face with a red lip! It's gorgeous to me! 

What I'm using on my face right now: 

BareMinerals PrimeTime (makeup primer)

BareMinerals bisque (concealer)

BareMinerals fairly light foundation

MAC HD translucent powder

BareMinerals original mineral veil (face powder)

NYX stick blush in pink poppy (blush)

The Body Shop brilliance powder shade: bronze shimmer 

NYX eye shadow base 

Bareminerals flawless radiance eyeshadow 

Stila smudge pot in gray

e.l.f eyebrow kit

NYX HD photogenic concealer in CW01 porcelain (I use this under my eyes as a brightener)

Smashbox hyperlash mascara

Benefit they're real? Mascara

Benefit watt's up! (Best highlighter, hands down!)

And of course NYX soft matte lip cream in Amsterdam! 

It seems like a whole heck of a lot but I just like the way it looks! And I get so many compliments, which I mean is a bonus, for sure! 

The color is actually red, I promise! It's just the lighting that's making it seem pink!

I know I'll be purchasing more! It'll be the best when traveling! (which I'm planning to do very VERY soon!)  : ) 

Best thing about this lip cream is, it's only 6 buckaroos!!! 

And you can find NYX products at Nordstrom rack, Ulta & Albertsons!

Xoxo -Ryn

Beauty Find: You can't go wrong with lipstick & mascara...

(Girl about town) 

Nothing is as fabulous than a woman wearing no more than lipstick, mascara & a lil powder on her face. It's a confident act to do that, and such a pretty one as well! Going au natural is a luxury in and of itself! One should do it regularly...

I'm a big fan of bright lipstick & mascara. It's so simplistic/elegant to me. Just the other day, I just wanted to wear red lipstick. I haven't worn red lipstick since Christmas time... But I REALLY wanted to! And for those of you who don't know me, I carry about 11 MAC lipsticks + others in my purse... (I've got a hook up of Mac supplies) and I carry them around with me, pretty much everywhere I go! It's been like this since high school... Crazy! And i get a little sad when i change out my purse to a smaller bag or im travling, i then only bring 4-5... Anywho, I think what spurred on the red lips, was that I had on a white V-neck (which I made & I absolutely love!) and something about a white v-neck and red lips, it's just well um, sexy.... And very chic! 

Now to the other part of this blog, I'm a HUGE fan of mascara! I will layer and layer and layer mascara on top of over each other to make them stand out. I'm a fan of my length of lashes, but my sister has such luscious lashes! They are incredibly long. I almost think she took all of the length and thickness from both my other sister and myself.

(Russian red)

A few weeks ago, my favorite beauty store: Beauty Brands was having a fabulous event, which they always do! And they are ALWAYS so nice. And they take competitors coupons! Big plus right there, since there are days when I think Ulta doesn't even take their own coupons...

Anyway, the beauty event was about 15 or so different kinds of prestige(high end) mascaras for $10.98 ea!!!! A total steal! So I bought 2 different tubes of mascara, which were: hyperlash by smashbox & glominerals. I really like hyperlash, the glominerals one, ehhh it's ok, not my fave. But I'll still use it.

One thing to add, go to an event early, because if you waited like I did, well, lets just say, the selection is few... Which I would have liked to try some of the others... Next time! 

And then a few nights ago, I was at Kroger's grocery store, and I had just pinned this mascara, like two days before. And so I bought the maybelline cat eyes mascare, which I layer with Hyperlash... And it works great! And I think I paid only $5.89 for, and I think that was a good price for it. 

Side note: 

Funny story, years ago, I hated loose eyelashes! Grossed me out entirely! Where I made my family get the loose eyelashes off my face and made them get them off their own faces too. And the whole blowing it off your finger and making a wish thing, um no! Eww! That's just disturbing. Like I said, funny story! Hah!

My favorites right now:

Lips:

Impassioned by MAC

Russian red by MAC

Girl about town by MAC

Lashes:

Benefit They're real?

Smashbox Hyperlash 

Maybelline the colossal volume express in regard feline 

On my wish list to get:

Rebel lipstick by MAC ( I saw on a customer, with fair skin like me, last Fall at an event and I have wanted it ever since!)

Ruby woo by MAC (I've heard this is the best red lipstick ever! It works for any skin tone.)

-Ryn

Day 5: Cortney Hart - Amp up that Christmas List! Your hair will thank you.

When I was eight years old the Lord dropped in my heart that I would be a hairstylist. I'm probably one the the most laidback hairstylists you'll ever meet. Although I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist I don't like "fuss" and I would never want a client walking out of my chair or a friend leaving my house sporting a look they could never duplicate. Just several days ago I cut off 6in of my hair and I LOVE it!! Once again I have healthy hair!! Since my recent chop I am determined to keep my hair healthy and gorgeous, even though color will of course be applied several times in this up-coming year. Below I have listed several of my favorite prodcuts that will help you maintain the integrity of your hair throughout this holiday season and into the new year!

A professional shampoo and conditioner is comparable to the base and top coat of nail polish. If you color your hair, it is especially crucial. I often hear comlplaints about the price of the "good stuff", but you have to look at is as an investment, you use less and it will last you 3X's as long! Aquage Strengthening is my FAVE!

 

(For More Info: Click HERE)

Aquage also makes a heat resistant/shine spray that smells amazing, protects your hair AND adds immense shine. It is a must! Especially for those fancy Christmas parties you'll be attending.

(For More Info: Click HERE) 

There is a new product out by L'Oreal Professional called Mythic Oil Milk. I cannot even put into words how much I like this product so just try it for yourself!! Spray it in your hair when wet and style as desired. You WILL notice a difference!

 (Click to Buy: HERE)

CALLING ALL DEEP CONDITIONER LOVERS!!!! Two Words for you! POWERDOSE TREATMENTS! These little protein-packed bottles are like liquid gold. By the 8th treatment your hair is promised to be restored back to a virgin state. These are a must try! (Mythic Oil contains several of the same ingredients so use together and your guaranteed brilliant results!)

 

 

 (Find this product: HERE)

 

For all of these products, Google local salons in your area that carry them. You won't find these in your Wal-mart or Target.

One more thing before I go! I've had an itch for a violet/berry lip for the holidays. I just discovered "Hang Up" by MAC. It's my new fave, and featured in my picture!

 (Click to buy: HERE)

Hope this was helpful to you all! Merry Christmas!!!!

XOX- Cortney Hart

p.s. Sometimes saying a simple "yes" to new ideas/prodcuts can open a whole new door. Think of the outcome of Mary's simple "yes" in Luke 1:38. Oh, how it hung her world! Ours too ;)