How To Make Your Hair Grow Fast

If you're looking to find ways on how to make your hair grow fast, then look no further! A few changes and tweaks in your hair care routine can make your hair grow faster by ensuring your locks are healthy and don't break. In fact, that's the secret to growing your hair faster--getting rid of all the environmental factors that result in your hair breaking off and thus hindering hair growth. Read about the four ways you can make your hair grow fast in my article for Daily Glow.

Image courtesy of Pinterest.
 

Getting Rid of Acne Scars

Getting rid of acne is bad enough, let alone having to worry about getting rid of acne scars. When left alone, the scars take their own sweet time in fading and can be annoying to live with. If you are wondering how to get rid of acne scars, know that while there are no miracle treatments that will eliminate an acne scar overnight, there are ways you can speed up the process. Read the rest of my article at Daily Glow.

Image courtesy of Pinterest.
 

Organic Cosmetics

There's been a boom in natural and organic cosmetics in the past few years, and the products being offered are no longer second-rate to mainstream brands. A vast majority of products that are carried in the organic lines are just as good, if not better, than traditional cosmetics. Read my roundup of the best of the best at Daily Glow.

Image courtesy of Pinterest.

Battling Oily Skin

Having oily skin is a double-edged sword: On one hand you have dewy complexion, and on the other hand, your dewy complexion can very quickly transition into "grease ball" complexion. The good news is that you can battle oily skin with four small changes in your routine that will serve as an oily skin treatment. Read the rest of my article at Daily Glow.

Image via Pinterest.

Flat Iron Safety: How to protect your hair

Flat irons can give your hair some sleek straight shine, but they expose your hair to a lot of heat. If you use this styling tool regularly, or heated products, here are some things to consider.

1. Product Quality
It's important to do a lot of research into the product you plan to purchase and be ready to splurge. This will be a product that you will use on a regular basis, so it's better to spend more than to be on a budget -- that's not to say you can't find a great product on a budget.

Read the rest of my article at Daily Glow.

Image via Pinterest.
 

eos Lip Balms

As a chronic sufferer of dry and chapped lips, I'm constantly on the hunt for a lip balm that moisturizes without leaving a waxy residue. But my hunt has come to an end after trying the effective -- and super trendy -- eos lip balm.

Strictly aesthetically speaking, this lip balm provides long-lasting moisture, and it applies clear without any pigmentation. The benefit of it being clear is that you can wear it under any lipstick—it won't add any color and it won't change the color of your lip product. What's more, even when you wear it by itself, it doesn't look like you're wearing any lip product at all. Read the rest of my article at Daily Glow.

Image courtesy of hviit via Pinterest.

The Best Eyelash Curler

Everyone covets long prominent lashes, and there's only one surefire way to make your lashes pop: using an eyelash curler. This device creates the illusion of wider and brighter eyes while giving them a beautiful curled shape. It's important to know that not all eyelash curlers are made equal, and when it comes to a metal device coming near your eyes, it's best to splurge for the best eyelash curler available. Read the rest of my article at Daily Glow.

Image via Pinterest.

How to Perfectly Apply Mascara

Mascara is arguably the one makeup item that can make the biggest difference for your face. When applied, not only does it curl and enhance your eyelashes, but it also makes your eyes pop and give them more definition. But there's more to applying this tube of pigment than swiping it over your lashes—there's a process on how to properly apply it.

Read my article at Vista Magazine about how to properly wear mascara.

Image courtesy of Tumblr via Pinterest.

New Year's Eve Makeup Tips

New Year's Eve is one of the biggest nights of year, so it's important to ring in the new year with a flawless face and impeccable makeup. No matter what kind of soiree you're attending, you don't want to have to worry about touch-ups, smeary face makeup, or smudgy eyes. For makeup that stays put all night during your New Year's celebration, consider these valuable makeup tips that will let you have fun without stressing over touch-ups.

Read the rest of my article at Vista Magazine.

Image courtesy of Tumblr via Pinterest.

Budget Beauty: Part 2

Looking great doesn't have to break your bank account. If you know the right brands to look out for and the right products to buy, you can find products that will cost you less than ten dollars! Here is a roundup of our favorite beauty picks that are under $10—some are even under $5—ranging from acne products to haircare. Head over to Vista Magazine for the rest of this article.

Image via Pinterest.

DIY Beauty Products

Every woman should know how to make DIY beauty products from the ingredients lying around in her kitchen. Not only are DIY recipes cost efficient, but they're also more natural and—generally speaking—they don't have any extraneous ingredients or added chemicals. What's more, if you ever run out of your store bought beauty product, you'll know exactly how to make ends meet with a few select pickings from your kitchen.

To learn how to make a quick and easy hair mask, face mask, body scrub, lip stain and how to remove yellow stains, click here.

Image via izsmile.com.

Budget Beauty: Part 1

Getting a glamorous look on a budget may seem like a daunting task, but with the right products you can score a fabulous look with little investment. Doubtful? Look at Sofia Vergara and Jessica Alba, the spokeswomen for Cover Girl and Revlon, respectively. Both Latinas look ravishing at every red carpet event.

To see the best of the best, take a look at our roundup for the best budget makeup available at drugstores around the country that are suited for women of all colors. Click here for the rest of this article at Vista Magazine. 

Image via Artblart.com.

Clothing Concerns: Are our garments filled with hazardous toxins?

Most people know the importance of toxins in products we ingest, but we often don't consider the toxins in products we wear. According to Greenpeace, chemicals used in dyes and processing fabrics can cause cancer and disrupt hormones.

Greenpeace has released a new report—"Toxic Threads: The Big Fashion Stitch-Up"—that investigated the presence toxic and hazardous chemicals in low-priced clothing brands, and the results are shocking. The report, which is a part of Greenpeace's Detox Campaign, reveals that "textile manufacturing facilities using hazardous chemicals and the presence of those chemicals in the products of those facilities."

Greenpeace tested 141 clothing items from 20 major brands, including Zara, Levi’s, Mango, Calvin Klein and H&M, looking for evidence of phthalates, nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) and azo dyes, which can break down into cancer-causing amines. The report explains the process:

A total of 141 items of clothing were purchased in April 2012 in 29 countries and regions worldwide from authorized retailers. These were manufactured in at least 18 different countries, mainly in the Global South, according to the garments’ labels. However, the place of manufacture was not identified for 25, which is symptomatic of an industry that is not as transparent about its manufacturing practices as it should be. The garments, designed for men, women, and children, included jeans, trousers, t-shirts, dresses, and underwear, and were made from both artificial and natural fibres; 31 of the samples bore a plastisol print, and for these items it was this part of the fabric that was tested for phthalates and nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs).

What were the results? The investigation found that there were high levels of toxic phthalates in four of the garments, cancer-causing amines from the use of certain azo dyes in two garments, and NPEs were found in 63 percent of garments. What's more, the brands with the highest concentrations (1,000 ppm or more) of NPEs were C&A, Mango, Levi’s, Calvin Klein, Zara, Metersbonwe, Jack & Jones, and Marks & Spencer.

Read the rest of this article at Greener Ideal. 

Epsolm Salt Hair Exfoliator

 A dry scaly scalp is the WORST during the winter. I've never been a fan of dandruff shampoos–mainly because I don't think they work–and have always wondered why we can't just exfoliate our scalp of the dead skin. 

After all: Isn't dandruff just dry skin on your scalp? It was this thinking that made me try to concoct a DIY Scalp Exfoliator. This recipe is pretty easy; just add some epsolm salt to your favorite shampoo. But "easy" doesn't make it any less effective.

I found that using this significantly reduced the amount of flakes on my scalp. It's convenient and doesn't require investing in and experimenting with a dandruff shampoo. 

Ingredients
Your favorite shampoo
Epsolm Salt

Directions
Add Epsolm Salt to your favorite shampoo. While there's no set ratio, you should aim for a 2:1 ratio of shampoo:salt. Tweak the quantities as you see fit.

Application
Apply the shampoo-salt exfoliant as you would normally apply your shampoo. Make sure that the shampoo and salt reach your roots. Using the tips of your fingers, rub the salt against your scalp in light, circular motions. Don't be too aggressive–nobody wants unnecessary hair fall. 

Avocado Olive Oil Hair Mask

Avocado Olive Oil Hair Mask

When it comes to hair masks, this is probably as basic as it gets. This two-ingredient hair mask is really easy to make and works wonders in a short period of time. I applied the mask to my dry hair and left it on for a little under an hour. Upon washing my hair I noticed my hair was less frizzy and I definitely felt the difference in terms of how soft my hair was.

My only gripe was that the chunks of avocado were a little difficult to smooth out. That, and the fact that if done regularly, this DIY hair mask would get to be a little pricey since avocados are not cheap!

Ingredients
1 ripe avocado
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Directions
1. Using a sharp knife, cut the avocado lengthwise around the seed.
2. Open the two halves to expose the seed.
3. Remove the pit from the half of the avocado that has the pit.
4. Use the knife to make a cross hatch pattern on the avocado halves to form segments.
5. Take a spoon and scoop out the avocado pieces and place it in a small bowl.
6. Using a fork, mash the avocado until smooth.
7. Add olive oil and mix until the consistency is even.
8. Apply to hair, making sure to focus on your scalp and tips. If there are chunks of avocado then massage it into your hair/scalp. Leave the mask in your hair for at least 20 minutes--I typically leave this in my hair until the mixture dries up and absorbs into my hair. It leaves a crisp, dry residue. Wash your hair with your favorite shampoo.

Benefits Of A Cold Shower

With the recent heat wave, I've been day dreaming about nice cold showers that wash away the humidity, sweat and general disgusting-ness that I've absorbed throughout the day. 

But apart from my own needs to counter the weather, turns out there are multiple health and beauty benefits associated with taking a cold shower:

• An instant change in temperature is said to increase your mental alertness and relieve your body of fatigue. So next time you're in the shower, start with a brief hot shower and quickly switch over to a cold shower. 

• Switching back and forth between hot and cold water is also said to improve circulation.

• Researchers have found that two to three minute cooler showers (around 68 degrees) daily can treat depression.

• Cold water makes the cuticles of your hair close so that its flat, making hair shiny and smooth. 

• Hot water showers open your pores, leaving them vulnerable to getting clogged. Thus, in theory, a cold water shower should shrink your pores. 

Image via Pinterest.

Dry Skin: The Courtney Cox Solution

I have the driest skin so when I saw an article where Courtney Cox shares her dry skin woes, I was shocked. Mainly because anyone who has seen her in Cougar Town can attest that her skin looks anything but dry. 

What's her secret? Dry Brushing. 

Cox shared on xoJane.com, where she is (or was, as of last year) a beauty columnist: 

"I have the dryest skin!!! I know I need to drink more water, but until then another thing that really helps is to take a loofah or a thistle brush. I brush upwards and it hurts. Then I shower. While I'm still wet I put on almond oil -- Aura Cacia Sweet Almond. Don't rub it off with your towel, just pat your skin or let it dry naturally. If you’re crazy dry, then put on another cream or oil. I happen to be a coconut nut, so I use Pure Fiji coconut milk and honey."

Needless to say, I'm investing in a thistle brush and her suggested brand of oil ASAP.

Chemicals In Beauty Products Raise Diabetes Risk

Diabetes is no joking matter. So it's safe to say that when scientists link a chemical in nail polish and hair spray that raises the risk of women getting diabetes, it's time to reconsider the products in our beauty regimen. 

New research suggests that chemicals that are commonly found in beauty products (such as nail polish, perfume and hair spray). The researchers analyzed urine samples from 2,350 women and looked for concentrations of a chemical known as phthalates. 

What did they find? Women with concentrations of two specific types of phthalates (mono-benzyl phthalate and mono-isobutyl phthalate) were twice as likely to have diabetes.

This naturally raises a valid question: Is a preliminary study enough to stop using products with phthalates? 

Image via Google

Careful! Your handbag may have dangerous amounts of lead

A recent investigation by a consumer watchdog group, The Center for Environmental Health (CEH), has found that one in four handbags sold in retail stores it visited contained a dangerous amount of lead. According to the consumer group, 43 of the 300 purses tested had lead in the sides of the purses.

Finding lead in handbags is nothing new, but is surprising given that the battle against it has been fought and won with retailers promising to limit lead content in purses. In 2009, the CEH took legal action against retailers for selling handbags and accessories with high lead content based on tests and research. By June 2010, forty retailers agreed to eliminate lead risks by consenting to strict limits on lead in their products and by fall 2010, more than 75 additional retailers had hopped on board. Despite this, recent findings have shown that retailers and labels have to take more steps to ensure handbags are not infested with lead.

The consumer watchdog group stated their fear was that the lead in the purses could rub off the product and enter the body of a woman or her children. Michael Green, the group’s executive director, told ABC News: “Lead is stunningly toxic. We find it really distressing that some of these companies had this problem.”

Read the rest of this article at Greener Ideal. 

Beauty In Flight

Traveling overnight is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, you can arrive at a destination while multi-tasking with getting some sleep, but on the other hand, it’s hard to arrive feeling like you look your best. Here are a few beauty tricks you can implement to make the most of your red-eye traveling—whether you’re going by plane, train or car—so that you can pamper yourself while getting a little shut-eye and still arrive looking fantastic.

Click here to find out 7 Beauty Tips for Red Eye Traveling.

Image via Google Images; specifically here.

Skim Milk Face Wash

Milk is often an ingredient used in beauty products since it contains lactic acid which hydrates your skin and alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) which serves as a light and gentle exfoliant.

For all the reasons stated above, I was excited to try this DIY milk face wash recipe.

The process is simple: Take a little bit of water (say 1/16 cup) and add milk powder (teaspoon by teaspoon) until you get a consistency you're comfortable with. Then simply apply a generous layer on your skin--you should feel a tightening feeling immediately or within a few minutes. Once dried, rinse off with lukewarm water.

The results? My skin definitely felt softer upon first use and looked fresh. But I really didn't like the sticky after-feeling. I had to rinse my face twice because of the residue. After trying this mask on for two nights straight, I have to admit I'm torn. I think it is effective...but I'm not so convinced of its cleansing properties.

Review: Pure 100% Mascara

A while back Living Social had a deal for Pure 100%. On a whim, I purchased two deals and I gotta say, I'm so glad I did.

The first thing I got my hands on was their 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Mascara in the color Black Tea.

Price: $18

Ingredients (as featured on their website): Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (Organic Green Tea), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Cera Alba (Honey Beeswax), Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract (Blackberry Extract), Ribes Nigrum Fruit Extract (Blackcurrant Extract), Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract (Raspberry Extract), Hydrolyzed Oat Protein (Oat Protein), Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein (Wheat Protein), Pantothenic Acid (Pro-vitamin B5), Fucus Vesiculosus Extract (Seaweed Powder), Coconut Stearic Acid (Coconut Acid), Mica, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter (Cocoa Butter), Pearl Powder, Oryza Sativa Germ Powder (Rice Powder), Theobroma Cacao Extract (Cocoa Powder), Coffea Arabica Seed Extract (Powdered Coffee Beans), Mel (Lavender Honey), Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract (Oregano Extract), Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract (Thyme Extract), Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract (Rosemary Extract), Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract (Lavender Extract), Hydrastis Canadensis Extract (Goldenseal Extract) 

Claims:

• 100% natural
• 100% vegetarian
• Lengthens, separates, thickens and glosses lashes with fruit pigments and Black tea pigments
• Conditions lashes with ProVitamin B5, Vitamin E, Oat and Wheat protein
• Water and smudge resistant 

Thoughts: I love this mascara! The mascara is pigmented (for full disclosure: I have dark lashes so I cannot speak for anyone with light lashes), visibly lengthens and separates my lashes. 

What's more, one night I forgot to take the mascara off and I didn't wake up the next morning with stray lashes that fell off. I think the most visible difference lies in softness of my lashes--after 2-3 coats, my lashes aren't crisp as they are with a traditional drugstore brand. 

But if you're looking for a water-proof mascara, this product does not fit the bill. Get a little wet from light rain or a few tears, and this mascara will be running down your cheeks. That said, the mascara doesn't promise to be waterproof so I can't really hold a grudge.

The only criticism I have--and it hardly matters in the big picture--is that the packaging looks a bit teen-bopper. I wish the mascara tube didn't have vines growing all over it. But it's definitely not a deal breaker for me.

Will I be using this again? Yes! As an eye makeup junkie, I wear mascara on a regular (translation: every day) basis and this would be a great item to have in my arsenal for daily use. 

Coffee Grounds Hair Conditioner

If you're an avid coffee drinker then chances are you're sitting on a beauty trick that can change your hair. Coffee grounds serve as a great ingredient for conditioning your hair by making it shiny and even inducing highlights on brunettes.

You can make your own conditioner with coffee grounds (and your favorite oil) or simply incorporate the grounds in your normal haircare routine:

• Work the grounds into clean, wet hair and massage for a few minutes, then rinse.
• Add the grounds to your conditioner. Apply conditioner as you normally would, then rinse.
• Add coffee grounds to olive oil (2 parts coffee ground for 1 part oil). Massage for a few minutes, let it sit for 20 minutes, then rinse.

I was super excited to try this. I opted for the third option (coffee grounds immersed in olive oil) and my hair looked really shiny! I do want to try this with my conditioner so I can see if the shine was due to olive oil or the coffee.

Image via diylife.com

How Carrots Can Make You (Seemingly) More Beautiful

Ask anyone the benefits of eating carrots and they’ll tell you that the orange root vegetable will improve your vision. But if new research from the University of St. Andrews and Bristol University is to be believed, then carrots can also make you more attractive.

Sound crazy? Read more here.

Image via Pinterest; specifically here. 

Thyme: A Potent Cure For Acne?

When I think of thyme, I think of chicken breasts and pasta dishes which require this herb to add flavor and taste. But according to a recent press release by the researchers from Leeds Metropolitan University, thyme is not only an effective treatment for acne, but a better one as well.

In their study, researchers looked at the effect of thyme, marigold and myrrh on acne. Their results were that all three were effective in killing the bacteria, but thyme was more effective--even more effective than standard concentrations of benzoyl peroxide.

Lead researcher, Dr. Margarita Gomez-Escalada shared that the next step would be to carry out more tests that mimic skin in an everyday environment and see how thyme can replace acne treatments.

"The problem with treatments containing benzoyl peroxide is the side-effects they are associated with," explained Dr. Gomez-Escalad in the press release. "A burning sensation and skin irritation is not uncommon. Herbal preparations are less harsh on the skin due to their anti-inflammatory properties while our results suggest they can be just as, if not more, effective than chemical treatments."

Image via Cooking Light.

Yogurt: Remedy for Bad Breath

Bad breath is an ailment that everyone fears. It's not like acne or excess weight, which you either have or don't have. It's something that can be a chronic condition or pop up one day. What's worse, you may not even realize you have it.

Turns out there are two common sources for bad breath: the mouth and the stomach. If your source is the former, then a good brushing, mouth wash, mint and an investment in tongue cleaners ought to do the trick. But if your source is the latter, that's a whole different story.

What's the cure for stomach-induced bad breath? Yogurt! The probiotics in yogurt and the neutralizing effect on acid this dairy product contains is the simple cure for gastrological problems.

Photo: ApartmentTherapy

Beer Hair Rinse

I had always heard about beer being a great rinse for your hair--mainly from a Catherine Zeta Jones interview where she revealed that as her beauty secret.

Being no stranger to beauty experiments myself, I tried this out this past weekend over St.Patty's day. Could there be a better day for your hair to smell like beer?

I did feel--and maybe this is all in my head--that my hair was shinier. That being said, it was nothing compared to apple cider vinegar and since apple cider vinegar is cheaper, I'd rather opt for that.

But does a beer rinse actually work? Self recently tackled that question in their beauty blog and the answer just may surprise you! According to their post, the reasons why people believe beer is good for your hair is the protein content, acidic pH and the fact that beer contains a natural astringent called hops.

Unfortunately, the science doesn't back this up: The protein in beer doesn't deposit in your hair and is washed off, the pH has no significant impact and the astringent is not left on your hair long enough to have any real benefit.

Long story short: Drink your beer.

Image via Zazzle.

Egg White Face Mask

I'm a little hesitant to apply egg anywhere because the scent really turns me off. But this recipe is awesome because it has citrus zest which totally hijacks the scent of eggs.

This mask is really easy to make--mainly because I always have the ingredients on hand--but I think it's a wee bit tough to apply. But that's because of the consistency of the eggs.

So can a two-ingredient face mask really make a difference? The alleged benefits of egg white on your skin are the following: firmer looking skin, reduced breakouts and reduced redness and inflammation. Additionally, the lactic acid in the yogurt serves as a non-abrasive exfoliating agent.

Ingredients

2 eggs; whites only

2 tablespoons plain yogurt (no flavors; preferably organic)

1 teaspoon lemon or orange zest; for scent

Directions

Separate the whites of two eggs and place in a bowl. Beat the whites using a fork. Add yogurt and mix well. Add zest and mix well. Apply on face and leave it on for a few minutes. If the mask dries off, then apply a second layer. Wash with warm wet clothe.