5 Daily Beauty Mistakes that Will Change Your Life

Everyday we strive to look our best and feel even better! Of the never-ending list of things we do to beautify ourselves, many of us are making BIG mistakes. As if it wasn't enough right??? Apparently there are some things we are leaving out or just not doing correctly.

1. Moisturizing- not all of you are moisturizing, or aren't religious with it and that's a HUGE no-no. Our skin is thirsty and we need to moisturize everyday, unless you want crows feet in your 30's. First, you need to find a moisturizer for your skin type, preferably with SPF. Even if it's a little expensive, INVEST! Once you find the perfect moisturizer apply everyday in the morning and night. Don't forget your eye cream! Your midlife crisis self will thank you in the future. Always remember to moisturize your neck and hands after your face. you're probably got that WHATTT? face right now but many don't pay mind to these areas but they are actually just as fragile as your face. My husband once told me, "you can always tell a woman's age by her hands", and unfortunately he's right! The top of are hands have skin that is just as thin as our face and with that, just as delicate. Our necks are an entire area we ignore completely. I really don't want to be 50 asking a surgeon to do a little nip and tuck for a gobble-gobble. Do you? So MOISTURIZE like a crazy person.

2. Makeup Removal- Don't you hate when your makeup is so perfect and you have to take it off? omg, me too. I am guilty of falling asleep with it and I know you have to! Well this is a big mistake. Don't do it, like ever again. We also remove our makeup and don't fully remove everything, and think we do. I use the Neutrogena makeup removal wipes. The best deals for these are at CostCo or BJs. I like to wet them a little before I wipe away my masterpiece. These are awesome but I do not recommend the 'grapefruit' ones, they burned my eyes. Even after using these amazing things, I still have some makeup under my eyes so I use Clinique eye makeup removal. Then wash with Cetaphil face cleanser. Use a facial towel, not your bath towel, and change it every 2-3 days. It keeps your face cleaning fresh. Leftover makeup can cause major breakouts and blackheads, so when you come home at 4am from the club and REALLY don't want to wash your face, remember that!

3. Cleaning Makeup Brushes- We aren't cleaning and sterilizing our brushes enough! Many times our face gets clogged with left over bacteria in our makeup brushes! There are many easy ways to clean them. For example, rinse with lukewarm water then clean with clarity shampoo mixture. It's FAST and SAFE and can be the answer to unwanted breakouts.

4. Exfoliating- this one is a biggy! Do you want smooth skin, deep clean, get rid of ingrown hairs, save $$$ on a pedicure? Exfoliate. Seriously, you can get exfoliating products even at the Dollar Tree.  They sell these Microfiber face applicators that are awesome if you can't afford a cleansing system machine. For ingrown hairs, you can buy a loofa and exfoliate areas about 2-4 days after shave or wax. As for pedicure, get a MR.Pumice. Use daily when you shower. The best thing to do after exfoliation is moisturize. Also some liquid body soaps have beads inside to exfoliate while you wash. this is perfect to do before getting a spray tan!

5. Sterilizing your Phone- do you do this, really? Honestly, if I wasn't a mommy to a toddler, it wouldn't cross my mind. But really, our phones are filled with bacteria. It's DISGUSTING. Think about it, do you always break out on that side of the face you use to talk on the phone. What a coincidence! The best and safest way to clean your phone is with a baby wipe. They already contain alcohol so it sterilizes quite well. I guess you can add some hand sanitizer to wipe for an extra clean. This is something you should do at the end of the day, everyday.

These 5 little things we are doing wrong or not at all can change your skin and overall look tremendously. DO IT! After one week I'm positive you will see a difference. Say goodbye to unwanted breakouts on the left cheek because that's the side you answer the phone, or ingrown hairs! You may even save up enough cash from using your Mr.Pumice to get a cleansing machine. We hope these tips will make you feel even more beautiful and as Beyonce would say, "FLAWLESS".

Foods that Burn and Prevent Belly Fat

Looking to loose a few inches off you waistline this summer? 

Everyone knows belly fat is the hardest to lose and for some reason people continue to think its all exercise, but it's not. Consuming certain foods help burn and prevent belly fat. Here is a list that is a must-have when grocery shopping. Always buy fresh produce and as many gluten-free, organic items as possible. 

1. almonds (saltless) 
2. beans
3. greek yogurt
4. avocado
5. extra virgin olive oil
6. dark chocolate
7. wild salmon
8. berries
9. apples
10. watermelons
11. tomatoes
12. brown rice
    
13. celery
14. green tea
15. cayenne pepper
16. vinegar
17. egg whites
18. nonfat mozzerella cheese 
19. spinach 
20. grapefruit
21. sweet potatoes
22. lime 
23. lemon
24. all natural peanut butter
25. broccoli 
    

Clean Cooking with Carico Ultra Cooker

CALLING ALL HEALTH NUTS!

Or not even!

 just people who want to cook quick, easy, and healthy. 

here is some basic information all about what the Carico Ultra Cooker does:

This all-in-one electric digital cooker functions as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer and can also brown!

The electric Ultra Cooker has been developed with the most advanced technology to ensure the highest standard of safety and for optimum performance.

You will be able to cook your food preserving vitamins, minerals and flavors, creating healthier and better-tasting meals while being extremely energy efficient.

Ingredients:

1 bag of kidney beans

1/4 of large onion

2 spoons of chopped garlic

1 piece of pork

1 spoon of salt

Fill ultra cooker with all ingredients then add water about 2 inches more than contents.

click 'BEANS' then click 'START'

you will hear the Ultra Cooker whistle. You can safely release steam with Ultra Cooker glove.

The built in timer will sound when food it ready.

It's THAT easy.

It cooks for you.

Silky Soft Hair Mask

As you all know I've been lightening my hair with honey. It's looking great but now I started craving a keratin treatment. Since keratin is tremendously toxic I wanted to find a natural fix. I basically just googled diy beauty hair treatments and found some amazing, but very out of the ordinary, recipes. What I did was research several on what the results were and what I actually had in my kitchen. I created my own silky soft concoction that has lasted as long as 5 hair washes thus far! It's not just a quick fix either. That is what I love. I plan to continue this treatment every 2-3 weeks. 

Ingredients: 

(Take note I have very long hair)

-2 eggs

-1/2 cup of yogurt 

-1 spoon of tea tree oil 

- 2 spoons of brown sugar 

-1/2 of a grapefruit juice 

- 1 spoon of honey (optional: might lighten hair)

Mix in a bowl and apply to hair from roots to ends in sections 

I left it in for an hour 

Didn't have much time since I'm a stay at home mommy

If I could I would leave it in longer! 

Put a bag on your hair so it doesn't drip everywhere 

To expedite process, blow dry with bag over your hair on medium heat for 10-15 minutes

If you can leave it in for 3 hours

Wash with shampoo two times and minimal conditioner (mostly only on ends)

And vuala!!!! 

If you are going to straighten/blowdry your hair afterwards mix a little brown sugar with water and spray it on your hair to straighten easier. (You may add heat protector)

Beauty Berry Smoothie Recipe

When it comes to smoothie making, you always need to know your goal so you can select the right ingredients. The beauty berry smoothie helps metabolism, nails, skin, hair, and energy. It is a yummy snack or can even be a breakfast replacement. I would recommend having some about an hour before a workout. You will notice the difference!


Ingredients: (2 servings)

2 bananas

1 green apple

1 cup of strawberries

1/2 cup of blackberries

1 cup of Acai Berry Juice

1/2 cup of ice

Blend and Enjoy!

Belly Relief Puree

Mommys! It isn't easy seeing your baby with belly pains. 

The best treatment for a little upset stomach is a proper diet. 

Yellow squash is very rich in vitamins and helps with bowel movements 

and proper digestion for your baby. Here is a recipe I whipped up. 

Simple. Quick. Easy. Organic. 

4 small/medium yellow squash 

1/2 cup of pasta

cut the squash into small pieces 

boil both separately 

cook the squash with 1/2 a cup of water

add a little salt if you want

for a very upset belly add carrots :)

when the squash starts to look mushy and a different color in the middle its ready

drain the pasta

add the pasta into blender

add the squash and the left over water into blender

PUREE!

add more filtered water if you would like the puree to be less heavy

this recipe will keep your baby full and feel somewhat better.

I made about 3 servings for my 10 month old with this recipe.

this is not a treatment for any illnesses just a remedy for an upset stomach.

Amazing Secrets to Fuller, Longer, healthy Beautiful Hair!

         

Ever since I was young many people, even strangers, would compliment me on my hair. 

How it was full, shiny, long. I was always taught to take care of yourself and your body. 

In my teens, I would style my hair so tight from headbands eventually my hair started to thin. 

During my pregnancy as well, my hair became dry for a trimester. I even cut off about 5 inches and it grew back so quick it looked like it grew over night, literally. My sister barely had hair as a baby, and with these remedies, she was sprouting hair like a cha chia! hahaha (sorry sis lol) 

So I bet I have you on the edge of your seat dying to hear these secrets. They are simple.

1. coconut oil (actual oil or pills)
2. vitamin E oil 
3. Biotin pills
4. Placenta Treatment 

Not all give the same results. To better pick one that works best for you let me explain how each worked for me. So coconut oil is good for thinning or to obtain fuller hair. You can make your own with this recipe I found online http://theprissylife.blogspot.com/2013/11/tummy-virus-home-remedy-for-babies.html  or buy some. I recommend the oil but pills work great too. Or both, who cares!

Vitamin E oil is good for dryness and to add some shine. You can make your own treatment by mixing it with your conditioner and leaving it in for a few hours. Avoid your roots though so when it washes out it comes out completely. Or you can just add the oil after you style it like a hair shine. You may also consume vitamin e oil pills.

Biotin is great for growing you hair and for shine. You can easily change your diet to more vitamin B filled foods and you will see the change as soon as 1-2 weeks. It is also great for your nails and skin so why not pop a few 5000 mcgs of these.

Placenta Treatment is seriously my secret weapon. Two treatments a month of this baby will get you to that Kardashian shine. Im am so obsessed with this, not only from the results but the price! You can get a pack of like 6 for $5 in Walmart last time I checked. Its a liquid little tube that you put in after washing you hair, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse.

These are all hairs beautifying secrets that are under $5. They work with time and consistency. Not everyone's hair is the same so results vary but they are natural remedies to what you are looking for. 

Remember, a healthy diet can change everything about your body so if your results are not what you expect examine what you are eating and how much water you are drinking.

Tummy Virus Home Remedy for Babies!

WOW! so my 9 month old caught a virus and could not stop vomiting with the runs. Because of her age, doctors can only prescribe fluids and probiotics. I am big on natural remedies, especially when it comes to my baby. As a new mom I really didn't know what to do other than shower her every 20 minutes and force her to drink pedialite. Tip: don't use wipes when baby is with the bubble guts.

With 5 days already being sick, I needed to do something! My mother in law made her plantain soup. She ate it for about 2 feedings and you can already see the improvement. The next day she was completely cured of the runs. If your child has never had plantains or is allergic I definitely do not permit. Here is the quick recipe.

Boil 2 ripe plantains in a 1 1/2 cup of water for about 30 minutes then BLEND!

THATS IT!

this recipe will give you about 4-6 servings depending on how much your baby eats.

Still continue with fluids and always monitor baby's temperature.

Note: on the second day I mixed the plantain soup with baby pasta.

Try to give the baby soda crackers throughout the day to keep the food down.

Hope this will help all mommys in desperate times 

of sick little ones.

Yummy Skin Glowing Facial

Well summer is over and its time to wash away the sun kissed tans and bronze buns! 

For some reason, we all want to be a little paler in the winter, even in miami. 

I created this DIY easy facial to make skin lighter and give it a natural glow. 

It is also an awesome exfoliant. This facial can lighten sunspots, scars, tans, etc.

 It can be used for your entire body! The results are amazing and if it drips onto your tongue, 

no worries... it's delicious! The ingredients are simple products from you kitchen 

so its SUPER easy to make. 

1/2 cup of Honey

1/2 cup of Yogurt

3 tablespoons of Brown Sugar

1 squeezed Lime  

(don't judge my selfie lol)

I applied the facial for about 20 minutes. I suggests 10-30 minutes is a good amount of time to let it set in. Exfoliate while applying and washing off. After you wash it off, MOISTURIZE! Did you know early wrinkles are brought on quicker to people who don't moisturize enough?! its true! So make sure you got an amazing moisturizer (preferably with SPF) and apply that baby every chance you get! 

TIP: Do not go into the sun with facial or at least 2 hours after. 

Lime has harsh effects on skin in the sunlight. 

I would just avoid the sun for the rest of the day. 

I hope you enjoy this mask as much as I did! 

Lighten Your Hair... NATURALLY!

WOW! So I have been debating on staying brunette or going lighter. Since I already have dark hair I was scared to damage it just to get it lighter so I looked for recipes on how to lighten it naturally.  There are many recipes and methods to lighten naturally, this is the one that worked best for me.

this is how my hair was before I tried lightening (I think I'm so cute with my glass of wine)

INGREDIENTS:

I started with about half a bowl of conditioner. Add honey(a natural lightener) until it's gooey looking. Some people add cinnamon and lemons to expedite process. Just mix. Brush your hair. Separate your hair in sections. Hold with clips. Add conconction per section. THIS IS MESSY so wear an ugly shirt.







You can leave it in as long as you want. Some people leave it over night. I suggest a minimum of 3 hours. I left mine in for 4 hours. Wash it out and you will see results immediately. Your hair will be amazingly soft! It works as a moisturizer more than anything! That is why I love it so much!

this is after I washed it out

If you repeat the process every couple days, you hair will be ALOT lighter before you know it! I have started to do it once a week! My hair went from pitch black to medium brown. It gives it a natural highlight look. When I get to the lightness I want, I will feel safer getting highlights put in. Cherish and nourish your hair FOREVER!

RESULTS AFTER FIRST SESSION:


 

About 3 months of honey hair lightening..