Product Review: Asquith & Somerset Shea Butter Luxury Sugar Scrub

In this post I share my product review of Asquith & Somerset Shea Butter Luxury Sugar Scrub. I never heard of the line but love a good body scrub, and I bought it on a whim at T. J. Maxx for $5. Asquith & Somerset Shea Butter Luxury Sugar Scrub removes the surface of dry skin cells and leaves skin feeling supple and revitalized. The scent is deliciously cozy! In fact, I smell it right now as I'm writing this post. The scrub is not too abrasive (as oppose to salt scrubs) which is best for my sensitive skin.  I like to exfoliate at least once a week, targeting my knees, elbows, legs, heels and my bum. It leaves me as smooth as a baby's bottom-no pun intended lol. 

Why Is Exfoliation Important?

Exfoliation is considered one of the most important techniques that you can perform on your skin to resolve certain skin problems as well as to achieve healthy and glowing skin.

How Do I Know If I Need To Exfoliate?

A simple test you can do at home to see if you have surface dry skin cells on your skin is to take a piece of clear tape and apply it to the forehead. Rub it gently and remove. Look at the tape, and if there are little pieces of flaky skin, then you need to exfoliate!

What Skin Care Problems Does Exfoliation Resolve?

Blemished skin

Post Breakout Red/Dark Marks

Clogged Pores

Hyperpigmentation

Dry Skin

Those who desire smoother skin

Those concerned with anti-aging

All Made Up for the Holidays

I love the holidays! It's all about spending time with the one's  you love and celebrating the good and not-so-good things that have happened throughout the year. But, I have to be honest, and say my favorite part of the holidays are the exquisite parties that are thrown throughout the city. It's a perfect excuse to get cuter than cute and I am all about that life lol. A chic dress, skirt or jump suit; pumps, booties or wedges; celebrity inspired tresses and you can't forget makeup that says I tried and I did damn good! Whether your favorite look is a hypnotizing red pout or eyes that look like you just left a glitter party-this holiday season allows you to put the glam in glam-azon.

After months of searching-I finally found my shade of red! It's Forever Red by Flori Roberts. Its rich and creamy formula gives me all day color.  

The Cate eye is one of the hottest make up trends for the holidays. Find out how to achieve a perfect cat eye here. Here's a complete holiday makeup tutorial for those of us that don't know the know how.

How To Wear: Dark Lipstick

Simple tips for choosing the correct lipstick for a star struck vampie pout. 

8 Fall Makeup Trends for Less

Preparing for a LO can be costly, even when you cut corners by shopping at thrift stores, accept hand me downs, create DIY projects and keep to a firm budget. But my motto still stands, in 2013, "Being a mommy has never looked so good"! I firmly believe in looking your best, but have to admit saving up for my little guy's college fund is a lot more important. But I can definitely accomplish both! Here are 8 makeup dupes that will allow you to achieve a splurged look on a splashed budget.

1. Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette, $52

Showcasing a dozen neutral shades, this eyeshadow palette ranges from pale and deep, to matte and sparkly. No wonder it's the #1 seller! Luckily, MUA, a UK based cosmetics company, created the Undress Me Too Palette for only $6.50! NYX also has a Nude on Nude palette for $25 which can also suffice as a great dupe. 

2. MAC "Syrup" (Lustre) Lipstick, $15

This neutral mauve pink pout by MAC, is a perfect way to wear a bold color without being usual. It's a Lustre finish, which for me, reads as a less sticky lipgloss. The perfect dupe would be Revlon's Superlustrous "Sassy Mauve" exclusive LiquiSilk moisturizing lipstick, which can be snagged at any drugstore for $6.

3. Too Faced Primed and Poreless Primer, $30

This foundation primer does a lot of things at once...it not only blurs the look of pores and fine lines by "filling them in" to allow makeup to flawlessly glide over top, it also contains special ingredients, like Retinol, that promote healthy skin. It's designed to be worn alone or with makeup, which is perfect for a new mom.

NYX Pore Filler, $13,  is a great flawless-finish primer. It's thicker than its comparable, but it melts easily onto the skin once you warm it up by rubbing it between your fingers. I find that you have to rub this in a little bit more to achieve the totally flawless look, but at more than half the price of Too Faced-rub on ladies.

4. NARS Oasis Powder Blush, $29

This sparkling pink-champagne highlighting blush is perfect for Fall. It's a softened, reddish-plum with a hint of golden shimmer that translates to a shimmer-sheen once applied to the skin.

Elf's Studio Blush Blushing Rose is a great dupe for the NARS Oasis. This berry color with a gold shimmer is a steal for only $3! The staying power of Elf blushes is of course not as good as that of NARS but at a price this good I wouldn't mind reapplying every 4 hours. Besides, what's my traveling makeup bag for?


 

5. Benefit Moon Beam Complexion Enhancer, $26

This iridescent highlighter is great! Not only because it is super easy to blend and super easy to travel with, but it adds a warm shimmer that leaves your skin radiant! It can be used as a spot highlighter (brow bone, corner of eyes, cupid's bow and cheekbones) or delicately blended all over your face. But why pay $26, when you can achieve the same flawless complexion with MeMeMe's Beat The Blues Sunbeam for less than $9! Available in Oyster Gold and Pearl Pink, you can dot and blend at a fraction of the comparable's cost. 

6. Moroccan Oil Treatment, $17

MoroccanOil has been all the rave and has quickly become one of the best selling hair care lines in the world. This alcohol-free and weightless formula is perfect for all hair types. It softens thick unmanageable hair and restores shine to dull and lifeless hair. Although, much of this product isn't needed give your hair the lift it needs, I still found $17 was a bit much for a 25ml bottle. Thankfully, our UK friends at Aldi recreated this product, making it possible to buy a 50ml for less than $5.50! Which is perfect for the upcoming, drying and harsh winter. You can thank me now if you'd like.  

7.  NARS Blush/Bronzer Duo, $41 

Both blush and bronzer give a sheer, healthy glow to the skin. This complimentary pairing delivers summer's quintessential radiance with ease and convenience anytime of the year. Although the E.L.F. Studio Contouring Blush duo is slightly more shimmery and the bronzer is slightly darker than the expensive counterparts, it is a perfect contrast for your future tanned looking skin at only $3! 

8. Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils, $19 

Both eyeliners deliver vibrant lasting colors. Each is smudge-proof, meaning you can apply it to the lash line and water line without worry about it disappearing throughout the day. Purchase the lower priced NYX pencil in colors you've never tried before in prep for a neon-filled fling for only $8. 

5 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Dark Circles for Sleepless Mommies

The remedy for getting rid of dark circles under your eyes is always get more beauty sleep. However, I haven't been able to do so since the pressure from my LO on my bladder makes me have to use the bathroom at least every 30 minutes. At one point, I thought, " I can't wait until I deliver so I can sleep and get rid of these circles". Then reality struck--and I realized, I will be resting a lot less once he makes his arrival! So, needless to say, I went on a hunt for the best ways to treat this less than flattering issue. Here are 5 natural ways to keep a fresh face even when you're running on a few hours of rest.

1. Use cucumber slices.  Cucumber slices have long been used to reduce puffiness and refresh the appearance of skin around the eyes, providing a fast pick-me-up for tired and puffy eyes. While your LO is in slumber, place a slice over each eye, extending over the darkened area. Do this daily for 10-15 minutes.

2. Use a potato.  Liquidize a whole uncooked potato in a liquidizer. Scoop out and place the pureed potato on your eyes. Lying on your back, keep it there for 30 minutes. Wash with warm water and voila! Some spas in the good ol' US of A, charge $60 for this method!

3. Use a frozen spoon.  Put a spoon in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Take it out and place it over your dark circles and keep it there until it becomes warm again.

4. Apply cool tea bags to your eyes daily.  Lie down, preferably in the morning, and leave the cool and damp caffeinated tea bags over your eyes for 10-15 minutes. Keep your eyes closed. The tannin in tea bags reduces swelling and discoloration. You can refrigerate them overnight so they will be ready in the morning.

5. Eat well.  Eat a healthy, balanced diet, drink lots of water and take vitamins daily. Pack your meals full of healthy fruits and vegetables, like blueberries, green leafy vegetables, nuts, whole grains and fish etc. that are loaded with essential minerals and enzymes. Also, cut out salty, carbo-loaded food and processed foods as much as possible.

Coconut Oil's Beauty Benefits

Though I'm on a maternity wear hiatus, I have been exploring new beauty regimens to see what will work for me after the arrival of my LO. Besides my weekly facial masks, scrubs and nail care routine, Coconut oil is my new go-to beauty product. I know, I know, I'm the last person to discover this amazing product. I started using it as a basic skin lotion and of course became curious of its other uses. There are plenty, but here are the 10 ways I have been using this super ingredient. 

1. As an eye makeup remover. I have used many other marketed products to remove my eye makeup but they either burned or left my eyes feeling dry-not to mention I always had to tug away at the sensitive skin around my eyes to truly remove my makeup. Coconut oil is the total opposite. Everything came off smoothly and left my skin dewy and nourished. Unlike olive oil, it didn't leave my skin feeling greasy-my skin absorbed the coconut oil giving it a healthy feeling.

2. It also works as a great stretch mark cream which I undoubtedly found intriguing in my pregnant state. Massage into the skin to help prevent and diminish stretch marks. It's best absorbed while the skin is slightly wet-so slather it on after you get out the shower. I leave my jar in the bathroom so the heat from my shower helps soften and melts the oil.

3. Rubbed on lips as a natural chap stick. It leaves my lips kissably soft.

4. As an intensive nigh-time facial facial moisturizer. It also lightens age spots.

5. Coconut oil works well as a massage oil. 

6. Ditch the high-dollar face cream and use coconut oil as a daily moisturizer. My skin has never felt better.

7. Massage the oil into your scalp to treat dry, damaged hair. Rub into hair, put a shower cap on and leave for several hours. It also helps to de-frizz split ends.

8. Use it to soften hands and feet. I apply a generous amount, rubbing it into my cuticles and throw on some socks for an intensive over night treatment. 

9. As a natural shave cream and after shave lotion. 

10. When mixed with equal parts of sugar, coconut oil makes a great smoothing body scrub. 

There are other ways I will find coconut oil beneficial after the arrival of my LO. Coconut oil treats cradle cap, can be used as a natural lotion for baby, a great substitute for Lanolin nipple cream and much more. 

Drew Barrymore's Makeup Tips for New Moms

Pic courtesy of Flowerbeauty.com

Drew Barrymore has come a long way since playing the adorable Gertie in E.T.-Extra Terrestrial, over 30 years ago. Now, an admired businesswoman and a mom to 11 month old daughter, Olive, she is inspiring mothers all over the world with her beauty line FLOWER. Growing up in a makeup chair, she had not only began to grow a passion for the art but also learned many techniques which she shares on her weekly Tip Tuesday Tutorials. These tips are empowering to any woman but she makes sure she caters to new moms as well. Barrymore wants to give women a quality product, with the finest ingredients at an affordable price. Flower is available at Walmart and Walmart.com. Below, Drew shares a 2 minute makeup routine that will make any sleep-deprived mother not only feel empowered but beautiful.






TheBump.com has even more of Barrymore's makeup tips, her favorite thing about being a new mom as well as the beauty items she cannot live without. Here's a snippet:

The Bump: What is your favorite thing about being a new mom?

Drew Barrymore: Being a mom makes me think so much about my reactions to things. With kids, your reactions to everything are so utterly important and its made me rethink other parts of my life as well. In a nutshell, how you handle everything comes into the sharpest focus of your life when you become a parent.

The Bump: Any tricks or shortcuts for new moms who have less time to get ready-- if they could apply 2 or 3 things tops, what would you recommend?

Drew Barrymore: I do these short videos called "Tip Tuesdays" on Flowerbeauty.com and I talk about my "Two Minute" makeup routine. It's amazing what you can get done in two minutes!

The Bump: What's in your makeup bag?

Drew Barrymore: Our new FLOWER Glisten Up! Highlighter Chubby that is coming out in January. I put it on my cheekbone, brow bone, a tiny bit down the slope of my nose and a dab on the bow  of my lips. It has literally changed the way I do makeup. I love it and I can't wait for people to try the new product.

The Bump: What's the one beauty item you cannot live without?

Drew Barrymore: Concealer. I never leave home without it. I lobe our Skincognito Stick Foundation, or for something lighter, our Lighten Up! Illuminating Concealer click pen. They're my go to!

Visit TheBump for the full interview.

10 Beauty Tips for Busy Moms

THIS BLOG HAS BEEN MOVED TO WWW.FASHNBEAUCOUP.COM

THIS BLOG HAS BEEN MOVED TO WWW.FASHNBEAUCOUP.COM

Being a mom and being busy are two of the same. Usually this leads to putting your own needs on the back burner. Looking good doesn't have to cost a fortune nor take a lengthy amount of time. Here are 10 beauty tips for busy moms.

10. Before doing dishes, lotion hands before putting on gloves. Wash dishes as normal using hot water. The heat from the water will soften hands.

9. Witch hazel can replace your expensive skin toners. This natural astringent has many benefits. It can help fight off acne and blemishes, reduce puffy eyes, treat varicose veins, heal bruises, reduce pore size and treat razor and sun burns.You just need a few cotton balls and dab it on the affected area of your skin. And you're good to go.

8. Many condiments found in your refrigerator can be used for an at home hair treatment. Grab  mayonnaise, olive oil, avocado and one egg. In a bowl, combine 1/2 avocado pureed, 1T of mayo (not light), 1t extra virgin olive oil and the yolk from your egg. Mix these ingredients until smooth and creamy. Massage into your scalp and comb through with fingers or a wide toothed comb. Put on a shower cap, or use a plastic bag. For a deep condition, warm with a hair dryer for 5 minutes. Leave on for 20 minutes or longer then wash and condition as normal.

7. You may not be able to visit your manicurists once a week as once was the case-before you became a mom. But that's no excuse to neglect your nail care. Lemons are a great way to maintain cleaner and whiter nails. Rub 1/4 of a lemon on nails, allowing the juices to run over nails. Let sit for 1 minute and voila! Don't forget to lotion hands afterwards to prevent dry hands.

6. A busy mom's makeup kit should contain mascara, an eyelash curler, eyeliner and lip gloss. All of these items can be purchased for well under $20! If you'd like you can also use ColorOn Professional Eye Envy Shadow Kits, which is a adhesive eyeshadow applicator that can be found at Sephora or on their website.

5. Exfoliating your skin is a skin remedy that is super beneficial to smoother and younger looking skin. This can be done your favorite spa or for we busy moms-at home. Simply mix baking soda with your favorite drug store facial cleanser and watch the dead skin disappear.

4. You woke up with puffy eyes and you have to look your best today.  A quick and mess free alternative would be to place something cold on your eyes i.e. a cold spoon, hemorrhoid cream, cool tea bags. Cool objects are only a temporary solution to puffiness-which can be a symptom of another problem like sleep deprivation or allergies.

3. A scarf can drastically change and outfit depending on how busy you are that day- it may be all you have time for. It an be used for different looks and can also cover up a "spit up" stain from your little one.

2. DIY Manicure. Sally Hansen Strips are a perfect way to achieve the look of an expensive manicure without the cost and time restraint.

1. My bath time is my favorite part of the day. A time to unwind and wash off my worries and release tension. Bubble baths are a wonderful inexpensive way to treat yourself. I like to add epsom salt to relax my muscles, 1/2 cup of honey and a cup of milk to keep my skin smooth.