Here on the upper East Coast, winter is hard on the skin. Without the right preventative maintenance, it gets dry and itchy. Don’t let your skin take on a dull, flaky look. There are a few simple things you can do to keep your skin moist and smooth during the rough winter months.

Drink a lot of water – Water is the best thing for your skin. Drink plenty of water and your skin will glow!
Use an oil rich moisturizer – Avocado oil, shea butter and olive oil based moisturizer will sooth and moisturize skin and continue to offer protection throughout …read more

I have a confession to make. I love makeup. Absolutely love it! When I was in my 20’s and 30’s I was a little more bold with my selections, but I still wear it often. My only problem is I have no idea if I’m applying it properly or not. I tend to forgo eye shadow because I have no idea if I’m doing it right, or if I look like a clown. Recently, before a girl’s night out, I decided I was going to actually use some of my eye makeup and looked up some tutorials on YouTube. There’s …read more

If you read my Simply Thrifty blog, you know I’m all about saving money. One of my favorite frugal staple is vinegar. This all purpose liquid is great for cleaning and freshening the air, but do you know you can use it for for beauty and cosmetic purposes too? Behold:
8 Things You Never Knew You Could Do With Vinegar

Vinegar Diminishes Age Spots! Ok, this is going to sound a little stinky, but go with me on this. If you take one part onion juice and one part vinegar and mix it together, you have a great age spot diminishing concoction. …read more

Who doesn’t like free stuff? And the Internet is a free stuff paradise. When I say free, I mean free. No shipping or handling charges.
Here are a few places you can find free beauty samples on the web:

Start Sampling – Offers cosmetic samples as well as shampoos, conditioners and other items as they become available. It doesn’t cost anything to sign up, but you might be asked to complete a survey about your sample. Most samples are a decent size too!
Pantene – Pantene is always giving away free samples at its website, so check back often.
Neutrogena – Offers samples of …read more

It is said the only thing that separates man from beast is our ability to accessorize. While I’m sure there are several more ways to tell us apart, I can’t argue the importance of the right accessories. Here are some great accessory ideas you can make yourself:

Braided Barrettes – This is an especially great project for tweens and teens.
Drop Earrings – Instructions for making the gorgeous earrings pictured here.
Sweater Bag – Rather than throw away your old sweater, make this adorable sweater bag.
Can Tab Belt – I know it sounds cheesy, but scroll down and you won’t be disappointed.
Multiple Wire/Bead …read more

Most women have at least one silk scarf hanging in your closet. If you’re like my mom, you probably have one for each outfit. I’m always amazed at her creativity, my mother can turn a flat piece of material into a fashionable accessory. Behold  10 Uses for a Silk Scarf:

Use as a hair band – Scarves make wonderful hair bands, especially if there’s enough material left over after tying to cascade over one shoulder or down the back.
Use as a headband – Not too many people can pull off a hippie-style headband. Are you one of them?
Tie in an ascot. …read more

You really are what you eat. If you subsist on a greasy, fat-laden diet, your skin will bear the brunt. If you’re bad about hydrating, your skin will appear itchy and dry. If you eat nutrient and anti oxidant-rich foods,your skin will truly benefit. Here are some great foods for your skin.

Top 10 Foods for Your Skin
Water – OK. So it’s technically a liquid. Still, water is the healthiest thing you can consume for your skin. Plenty of water keeps skin hydrated, especially during the winter months. Keep your skin from looking dull and flaky by drinking lots of water!
Low …read more

You know that big bag of cotton balls kept in your bathroom vanity? They’re not just for dabbing calamine. Cotton balls can aid you in your daily and weekly beauty routines. Behold some of the simple uses for cotton balls:

Remove Nail Polish – Probably the most famous use for cotton balls, who doesn’t use them for nail polish removal? I find cotton balls to be very absorbent and much longer lasting than a tissue.
Blend Makup- Do you have an unnatural color line separating your face from your neck? Is your eye shadow a little too blue? Your blush a little …read more