May 19th, 2008
My grandmother used to swear by Epsom Salts. She mostly used it to soak her tired feet after working in her store all day, but she had other uses as well. Epsom Salts are actually Magnesium Sulfate and works wonders as an exfoliant, bath soak and more. Epsom Salts can remove toxins from the body, add a glow to dull skin and relax a tired body.
Here are some recipes you can try featuring Epsom Salts:
- To exfoliate: Mix 2 cups of Epsom Salt with 1/4 cup of petroleum jelly and a few drops of lavender essential oil. Use the mixture to gently scrub away dry skin patches.
- Facial: Mix 1/2 TSP of Epsom Salt into cleansing cream for a deep-pore cleansing. Massage on skin. Rinse with cool water. Pat dry.
- For a relaxing soak: Add two cups of Epsom Salt to the water in a standard-sized bathtub; soak for at least 12 minutes, three times weekly. For an extra treat, add a few drops of eucalyptus oil for a refreshing scent.
- Homemade bath crystals: Mix two cups of Epsom Salt with a few drops of fragrance to create a custom bath crystal. Add a few drops of food coloring or 1/2 TSP of glycerin if you like. Store in an air-tight container.
Epsom Salts are an affordable solution to many beauty products and can be found in any supermarket or drug store. Some more uses for Epsom Salts:
Reduce inflammation
Relieve sore muscles and aching joints
Improve heart and circulatory health
Flush toxins and heavy metals from the cells, easing muscle pain and helping the body to eliminate harmful substances.
Improve the body’s ability to use insulin
Improve nerve function by regulating electrolytes.
Reduce stress.For more information regarding Epsom Salts visit www.epsomsaltcouncil.org.
Image: Buy at AllPosters.com
Technorati Profile
Share This
By Deborah -- 1 comment
May 17th, 2008
There’s a lot going on in the world of Beauty and Style this week. Rather than me just go on about it, why don’t I just get right to the links? Here’s what I’m reading this weekend:
Have a great week!
- Deb
Image: Buy at AllPosters.com
Share This
By Deborah -- 0 comments
May 17th, 2008
If you like to coordinate bags to shoes or outfits, you no doubt have to change bags often. If you’re like me you probably don’t do this as often as you like because it’s a pain moving all your essentials from one bag to another. The “Transfer Bag” from Accessories…by JoAnn is a great solution, it allows you to keep all your every day items such as keys, wallet, sunglasses, etc. in one bag to transfer from purse to purse as needed.
Still need more convincing? Here are a few reasons why you need a Transfer Bag:
- It allows you too keep all of your essential items in one small bag so you don’t have to hunt around on the bottom of your purse and waste precious time.
- At 9.5″ wide x 6″ high by 2″ deep, they’re big enough to carry keys, wallet, cell phone, glasses, sunglasses, paper, pens, and much more.
- Each bag has pockets, nooks and crannies so your items stay organized.
- They’re really cute so you can use them as a night time clutch if you want a small, but roomy bag for when you’re dressed up.
- They can also double as a cosmetic bag when traveling.
I love this idea. I’m surprised no one thought of it sooner, to be honest. They’re cute and serve a great purpose. The faux leather bags retail for $36 while the full leather bag will set you back around $150. A smaller transfer bag is also available for $30.
Convinced now? How would you like to win a Transfer Bag? I’m giving away a gorgeous silver Transfer Giving next weekend. To enter the contest simply list your own reasons why you need a Transfer Bag. This concert will end next Saturday, May 24th.
Image: Accessories by…JoAnn
Share This
By Deborah -- 190 comments
May 16th, 2008
For the past two years I’ve been using a mineral based powder foundation over the normal supermarket liquid foundations. Since switching over to minerals, my skin is less acne prone and looks more natural. I love how light it feels and how it doesn’t leave a chin line between makeup and neck - you know the line I mean.
Here are a few benefits of mineral makeup:
- Mineral makeup doesn’t clog the pores so you have a cleaner complexion.
- Mineral makeup feels lighter than liquid foundations.
- Mineral makeup is easier to blend for a more natural look.
- Mineral makeup reflects sunlight, which of course is better for your skin.
- Mineral makeup lasts longer than most traditional foundations, and even lasts over night in many cases.
- Mineral makeup is waterproof.
- Mineral makeup only needs a once daily application - Though I do touch up if I’m going out in the evening too.
Image: Buy at AllPosters.com
Share This
By Deborah -- 1 comment
May 14th, 2008
In the spirit of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, I’d like to offer up a few tips for choosing a beach hat. They don’t have to be anything fancy - unless that’s what you want. My hat of choice is an outback style hat with a snap so I can wear the brim up - cowboy style - or down for very sunny days. It’s also water resistant so I also wear it in the rain because I hate umbrellas. If you don’t have a sun or beach hat, may I encourage you to reconsider? Skin cancer is a very serious business, and you want to keep your skin healthy for as long as possible.
- Choose a style with a wide brim, one that will keep your face, neck and ears protected from the sun. If you put your hat on and you only see partial shade in your reflection, you need a wider brim.
- Choose a fabric that will withstand the elements. Hats found in hiking and endurance sports shops offer the sturdiest materials.
- Your hat should comfortably fit your head and not “pop off” or fall off easily.
- Choose fabrics that breathe easily in the hot sun. A sweaty head can be very uncomfortable.
Image: Buy at AllPosters.com
Share This
By Deborah -- 1 comment
May 14th, 2008
Though sunglasses are cute accessories, they’re also functional necessities. They protect our eyes from the sun’s harmful glare and help us to see when we’re driving or go about our business outdoors. I have a confession to make about sunglasses - I go through them like tissues because they’re constantly getting scratched or broken. I don’t intentionally set out to ruin a good pair of sunglasses but lots of times I just throw them in my purse or on the dashboard with nary a thought to their well-being.
You can avoid being a sunglasses slob like me by following a few care tips:
- When your sunglasses aren’t in use, store them in a hard case to avoid damage or scratching.
- Use non-abrasive cleaners and cleaning cloths to clean glasses. Your best bet are products sold at an eye care facility.
- Avoid storing your sunglasses in places that are too hot as this can cause the color to fade and frames to warp.
- Buy a small eyeglass repair set and periodically tighten screws.
Image: Buy at AllPosters.com
Share This
By Deborah -- 1 comment
May 13th, 2008
Armour Beauty is where high end fashion meets rock ‘n’ roll, at least that’s what the press release says. As a rocker chick from way back I do appreciate the marriage of rock ‘n roll and makeup, but I appreciate even more how these lip glosses are environmentally friendly and cruelty free.
Armour Beauty was created by Lunachick and model Theo Kogan, and makeup artist and handbag designer Allison Burns. Theo’s frustration at not being able to find what she wanted in a product led to the creation of Armour Beauty.
The colors in the Armour Beauty lip glosses pay tribute to Theo and Allison’s favorite songs, fashion icons and clubs. Check out the lineup:
- Kashmir- Led Zepplin
- Gypsy - Fleetwood Mac
- Dreaming: Blondie
- Shattered: The Rolling Stones
- Barracuda: Heart
- Last Dance: Donna Summer
- Femme Fatale: The Velvet Underground
- After Hours: Caribou
- Nirvana
- Edie (Inspired by Edie Sedgwick)
- Diana (Princess Diana)
- Baby Jane (Bette Davis)
- Cat Club
- Gazarrris
There are two different collections of lip glosses. The Shimmer collection and the opaque collection. It’s a great line for rocking chicks everywhere, but as easily as it works for a night at a club, it also works for a day watching a soccer game. There’s truly something here for everyone.
The famous people love this line too. In fact, Cyndi Lauper wore her Armour Beauty gloss to the 2008 Grammies! The glosses retail for $19 each and can be purchased through the Armour Beauty website.
Tell them the List Maven sent you!
Image: Armour Beauty
Share This
By Deborah -- 7 comments
May 13th, 2008
When I first began shopping for myself in my teens, I bought the inexpensive items my babysitting or fast food salaries could afford, but they didn’t last long. As I got older (that’s older, not old, people!) I learned it’s probably better on my budget to buy higher priced quality items than cheaper items needing constant replacement. I also learned that for quality goods to retain their usefulness, they’ll need to be cared for properly. It’s amazing how a few simple steps can encourage years of service from a bag or pair of shoes.
Before I get into my leather care tips, I want to say I love leather. I love the smell, I love the sturdiness and I love how it looks. Now…here are a few tips for caring for leather.
- During the sunny months, or if you live in a warm, dry climate, condition your leather products at least once a season for hardly used items and once a week to once a month for products used all the time. This will keep them from drying out or cracking.
- When storing leather, don’t put them in a plastic bag or they won’t be able to breathe. Place them on a closet shelf or floor. If you want to wrap them for storage, try a pillow case or other breathable sack.
- If your leather gets an oily stain, sprinkle with a little baking soda or baby powder and leave over night until all grease is absorbed.
- Use a damp cloth to deal with stains. Unless a cleaning product is specifically formulated to clean leather, never use a chemical or household cleaner as it will only make the stain worse.
- Avoid wearing leather in wet or inclement weather. If your leather does get wet, let it dry naturally.
- If you have a stain not removable with a damp cloth, contact a dry cleaner or shoe maker who is experienced in removing such stains.
Image: Buy at AllPosters.com
Share This
By Deborah -- 0 comments
May 12th, 2008
The hair care industry would love for you to believe you need to shampoo your hair daily in order for it to retain it’s shine and ability to control. Well for those of you with controllable hair. Some of us wear ponytails a lot. But I digress…
While there’s nothing wrong with having really clean hair, there is something to be said about NOT washing your hair every day. Here are a few reasons for going every other day or even every couple of days:
- Hair is healthier - Your scalp produces natural oils that keep hair healthy. By washing away these oils every day, your losing some key hair nourishment. When you don’t wash your hair, you’re allowing these oils the time to penetrate and become absorbed by the hair making it as soft and shiny as any expensive hair product.
- More control - Sometimes by allowing hair to fully dry and allowing for a little bit of product build up, your adding more control to your hair. My hair is definitely more manageable if I leave it a couple of days without washing than if I were to wash it every day.
- Keep your color - Hair color does fade as much when hair is washed less often.
- Cheaper - You’re saving money by not using shampoo and conditioner every day.
- It’s better for the environment - By not washing your hair your saving water - and by not using lots of big towels to dry your hair all the time you’re saving on washer and dryer usage.
Image: All Posters
Share This
By Deborah -- 8 comments
May 11th, 2008
Happy Mother’s Day, style fans. Here’s what I’m reading this weekend:
- Designer bags and their more affordable knockoffs at BagBunch
- Welcome to new blog on the block Glamour Gift Guide
- Indie Style File is chatting with Betsy from zlanarama
- Celeb Look’s worst dressed celeb of the week is….
- The Salt and Pepper look is back for men..and really, thank you for that. at Aging Fabulous
- Perez Hilton’s clothing line at Style it Less
- Awesome Home Made Mother’s Day Gifts at Pretty by Nature
- 16 Reasons to Stop Drinking Soda at Burning the Scale
- Free Skin Cancer Screen Tour at Aging Fabulous
- Working with a hair iron at Beauty Gizmo
- When Conditioners Don’t Meet Their Match at Beauty Addict
- Great sleep tips at Beauty is Within
- A Sex & the City swag bag giveaway at Product Girl
- Dealing with unsightly undereye circles at Beauty 411
Have a wonderful Sunday!
- Deb
Image:
Buy at AllPosters.com
Share This
By Deborah -- 0 comments
Recent Comments