Stocking stuffers: Beautify

I know you've seen a million different gift guides by now to help you navigate the never-ending seas of gifting ideas. So this isn't a gift guide for you. It's a gift guide for you to give to me. You know, in case you're taking this last weekend before Christmas to do some shopping (ahem, Husband. Mom. Toddler child of mine.)

1. This eye liner palette 12.99 has all the colors I never knew I wanted.
2. An eye shadow palette 16.99  for the dramatic smoky eye, should I ever go out at night again.
3. I've never used concealer 22.00 before, but having a child seems to bring under eye circles (and extra pounds) that beg to be hidden.
4. I bought some foundation primer 16.00 last year and love how it keeps my make-up set all day. At least I think it does.
5. I've used this mineral foundation 26.00 for a bajillion years because I don't like the feel of heavy foundation. And because I am too apathetic don't know enough about make-up to find a new one that could work better for me.

See, nothing fancy here, people. Every day items that I need to replenish. I'm a boring reasonable gift-asker. What's wrong with wanting socks for Christmas???

Honey, I shrunk the zit

Do you remember My Big Fat Greek Wedding when the dad would spray Windex on everything as the cure-all? Tennis elbow? Windex. Pimple? Windex.

Well, readers, this is my Windex: raw honey. It's my secret weapon against all skin related ailments. Someone told me about it and after researching on the-Google-machine I learned that raw honey is a natural antiseptic and moisturizer. So I decided to give it a try. After all, my people have been doing milk and honey facials for centuries. (*My people being the ancient Chinese.)

Let me tell you, it works. Even my husband is a believer. Any time I feel a monster pimple brewing under the surface, I put some honey on it for a couple of minutes, rinse it off and the pimple is gone within a day or two. It never fully evolves into the giant red beacon on my forehead/chin/cheek that it wants to be. I even use it on burns (I can't cook without burning myself). I have used La Mer and honey on separate occasions and guess which one left my arm without a scar? (Hint: not the $100/oz stuff.)

You have to use raw honey, not the one you find in the bottle shaped like a bear. The raw stuff still has all the pure goodness. I've also been told to drink a spoonful of local raw honey for allergies, but I leave the spoonful of honey for sore throats. (Different jars.)

Anyway, I'm no expert on skin care, so you estheticians out there may disagree. Leave your thoughts in the comments below. I'd love to hear what you think of this or what your secret beauty weapons are.

Got me twisted

My hair can't grow out fast enough:

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Would you wear this look for day, or save it for special occasions?

Gimme some suga'

 

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If you haven't tried this stuff, your lips are missing out on some sugary goodness.  Fresh has the sweetest smelling line of products and their Sugar lip treatments are no exception.  Made with vitamins, oils and waxes, and of course, sugar - to prevent moisture loss - this is a tasty treat for those kissers.  It also has SPF 15 so you don't get old lady mouth.  Because who wants to kiss a grandma?  Well, maybe a grandpa.  Or Ashton Kutcher. 

BTW, I have received absolutely no payment for this completely free ad for Fresh. Nada. Not even a free sample.  I just like it and wanted to share my find with you lovely readers.  I'm also addicted to their Sugar Face Polish.  My skin literally glows after I use it.  Do you have any beauty favorites you want to share?

My hair is pouting

Why, Jo, why?  Why do you torture me with these fantastic hair tutorials when mine is trying so hard to grow long and shiny like a big girl?

 

See full instructions here.

Pony up

Thank you, Jill, for further driving my impatience towards my non-hormonal-super-slow-growing hair.  Last spring, I cut off eight inches after 5 months of not seeing the inside of a salon. (If you don't already know, your hair grows ridiculously fast when you're preggo.  And so do your boobs.  I say two good reasons to do it.)  It was a short, swingy bob that grazed my shoulders and in the spring, after years and years of long hair, it was a fresh new look.

Now it's the dead of winter and I have the dead of winter hair, but I really just want this:

 

 (If this picture is you, please explain how you did this.  

And how your hair is so smooth and color so pretty.)

 I could never get my ponytail knots to stay in place.

Must be that stick-straight Asian hair I've got. boo.

 Again, if this is you, please explain so we can all copy.

They say mimicking is the highest form of flattery.

all images via