Skin essentials! Discount code included yay!

I suffered from acne the majority of my life and tried almost every solution the world has to offer. Now in my early 20’s, freed from the agony of acne, I have learned a lot about healthy skin throughout my battle. Though not known by many, the answers to good health are painfully clear. Here are a few things I have come to know as true.

 1.We must eat what our bodies are created to eat ! By eating processed foods with processed ingredients we are essentially dosing ourselves with poison. Eating unhealthy does not simply result in gaining weight like our society teaches us but eating unhealthy effects the entire body from the outside in. Diet alone is the most effective medicine and I have witnessed this first hand. Can you image how your skin would glow if you treated your body by eating vegetables which contain CRUCIAL vitamins and nutrients every day? What you put into your body shows on the outside. If you give your self the nutrients you need in your diet your general health will be transformed, skin included!

 2.Drink Water! It is so easy to drown in our lattes, sodas and juices and place water on the back burner. But water is so important. It completely flushes out our bodies! Ever wonder why you pee so much after drinking water? It’s a good thing! It this means unnecessary toxins are being removed from inside your body. When you are drinking water you are flushing yourself out and hydrating your self which is 100% beneficial for your skin.

3.A Daily Routine! It is so crucial to be consistent in your skin care routine! Use the same face wash and moisturizer in the morning and night religiously. This is true with anything, when you are consistent and dedicated you will see results. You are being kind to your skin when you are consistent!

 Essentially, your skin is directly linked to and a reflection of a healthy lifestyle. I was introduced to the most amazing skin care line, Valia. It completely embodies this notion. If you think about it, why would you feel comfortable putting chemicals on your face? After all, aren’t you putting products on your face with the hopes of rejuvenating, healing and preserving your skin? Call me crazy, but chemicals do not sound like the solution! I was blessed enough to find this company, and let me tell you, I believe in them! Valia focuses on holistic healing, which I am a firm advocate and believer in. Valia is made ONLY from natural ingredients that heal the skin. The face wash leaves your face feeling completely refreshed and smells unbelievable and the moisturizer does just that moisturizes! I feel like I am doing my body a favor when I wash and moisturize using these products. Using the Essential Set for over a month has changed my skin and I can say with confidence I could never go back to using generic brands, it would simply feel wrong. Valia is a beauty regimen essential. This if for both ladies and men! You cannot skimp out on your skin care routine, for it is the foundation for your beauty! Valia was so generous, as usual, to offer a 20% discount to all my readers! Do not miss out, it will only last till December! The essential kit is a perfect Christmas gift as their packaging is ridiculously cute! When ordering today use code “MERCEDEZ1105” !

 

 

1. Yuzu Hydrating Cream: Found here!

2. Purifying Wash: Found here!

3. Bloom: Found here!

USE DISCOUNT CODE ‘MERCEDEZ1105’ FOR 20% OFF!

Cat Eyes!

I wear “cat eye” eyeliner every single day. It is a classic look that really extends the eyes, making them appear larger, brighter, and sexier. It really is such an easy look to achieve with a little practice! Follow my easy steps.

Start by simply tracing your eyelash line. It does not need to be perfect this is just the base.

Use the end of your eyebrow as a reference, extending the lash line you drew, tracing it up toward the bottom of your brow.

Now that you have this line as a reference to the shape, trace it back adding a little thickness to the the inner eye

Close your eyes to make sure the line is fluid and smooth all the way.

WAAA LA!! Beautiful.

Manicure Time!

I used to get gel nails religiously until I paid the consequences – which included weak, peeling nails, and spending an extra 35 bucks every two weeks. I finally decided enough was enough! By dropping the gel nails from my routine I have gotten much better at doing my own nails! The trick to a perfect manicure really is 3 simple strokes! Happy nail painting, friends!

Continue reading for the steps.

7 Makeup Bag Musts

Over the years of trying different products I have accumulated seven items I can absolutely not live without in my makeup bag! Each product has proven to be the best and I simply could not do without them! What are your makeup bag musts?

1. The cat eye is my go to look; I wear it almost everyday! I have used my fair share of liquid liners ranging in brands since high school. I never found one brand that I felt worked well enough to purchase again. It took me eight years to discover Kat Von D Tattoo Liner. After my first use I was hooked it works perfectly and gives me a pristine clean line every time! It is a MUST HAVE. find it here

2. Much like the eyeliner I have tested and fell in and out of like with different mascara brands over the years. I got this Tarte mascara as a tester, and believe me when I say its the best mascara I have ever used. I am now a committed customer. Do not miss out on the best mascara. find it here

3. I got this little eyeshadow pallet as a stocking stuffer one year from my Mother. I know eyeshadow sets can feel juvenile but this kit has been perfect for me and I use it everyday on my eyes. It is great quality shadow and the colors are perfectly neutral for daytime, but can easily be vamped up in the evening for the perfect smoky eye. It is simple, compact, good-quality, and something you do not wanna miss! find it here

4. Unfortunately I have combination skin. In the winter months I really need extra moisture in my face that will not leave it looking oily.  I have used different drug store brand moisturizers and never felt like they truly penetrated my skin or dealt with the dryness, only leaving a waxy residue on my skin. This moisturizer leaves my skin feeling fresh, supple, and most importantly normal! I am in love with this stuff and do not feel the need to look further! find it here

5. Skin is the most important part of your beauty routine because it is the base of everything, your pallet so to speak! You never wanna look like your face is caked, or to matte, you want your face makeup leaving you look fresh. I am in love with Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer. You may ask why I use Clinque’s moisturizer in addition to this, which is titled tinted moisturizer. Although this is my favorite face coverage it is not a sufficient a moisturizer. Aside from that, this stuff leaves me glowing with the right amount of coverage! find it here

6. Eye brows are EVERYTHING. They need to be the first priority on your face, and I mean that. Eyebrows are that important because they frame your face! If your eyebrows are a funky shape, too big, or too small it dramatically altars your face! If you have sparse brows from over plucking in the past (guilty), or just feel they are too light, this product is for you! It looks completely natural and the small pencil is very precise. Do not miss out ladies, give your brows the attention they need! find it here

7. I love lipstick but some days I am not up to the maintenance that a day of wearing lipstick requires. I love this tint because it not only leaves your lips looking perfectly tinted and flush but it can be used on your cheeks! It is low maintenance and gives you the added drama you sometimes need in the fall! find it here

Flat Iron Curls and Fat Fishtail Braid Tutorial

There is nothing that makes me feel better than when I’m confident about my hair. I often find myself in complete hair ruts. Sometimes I run out of ideas because styling my hair with curling irons and hot rollers is just too complicated in the morning when I’m trying to get ready for my day and I’m short on time. Whenever I find a hairdo that appears polished but doesn’t take too much time, I get really excited, and quickly add it into my hairstyle routine. When I was in high school I used to use hot rollers and curling irons almost every day and for some reason spending that much time on my hair back then didn’t seem to bother me. However, now that I have a busier schedule, I’m often looking for quick hair-dos that don’t take as much time. Today I was lucky enough to be invited to a salon to get my hair styled in a quick and easy way that I can pull off by myself. The first look I was taught were flat iron curls. It was so shockingly easy and the result was beautiful, effortless beach waves. The day after curling my hair or using a flat iron I often like to do a look that doesn’t require me to shower because of the heat I exposed my hair to. I like to give my hair a break. So I asked them to give me a look that would be perfect to do the day after I do these flat iron curls. The result: a big fat messy fishtail braid. Braids are definitely in style this season and the fishtail looks extra special because it looks complicated. But you will be shocked at how easy it is to accomplish this look. Enjoy the videos step by step tutorial on how to achieve flat iron curls and a messy fishtail braid!

Thank so so much to Salon Patine and AMAZING stylist Ashely Rose for all the help today! Call today for great hair, color and cuts! [I would not dream of getting my hair colored anywhere else, they are simply the best!]

http://www.salonpatine.com