Brilliant Little Beauty Tricks

We're all forced to be recessionistas right now. But skimping a bit here and there doesn't have to cramp your style. To show you how easy it is to look sexy on a budget, try these cheap beauty tricks from savvy experts and Cosmo readers.

Exfoliate with sweetener
"You don't have to spend money on pricey store-bought scrubs. Mix brown sugar and honey into a paste to buff your body smooth."

Brighten your hair for mere bucks
"An apple-cider vinegar rinse works like clarifying shampoo and leaves your hair with great shine."

Skimp on makeup remover
“Johnson’s Baby Shampoo with the No More Tears formula is a great, gentle way to take off your eye makeup. A big bottle costs less and lasts much longer than tiny bottles of actual eye-makeup remover.”

Use every drop of perfume
"When you get to the bottom of your scent and it won't spray out anymore, pour it into your body wash or an unscented moisturizer to get more use out of it."

Plump the natural way
“Cinnamon is the active ingredient in many expensive lip plumpers — cinnamon oil, which you can get at natural-food stores, is a lot cheaper and does the same thing.”

Smooth skin with olive oil
"Use regular olive oil to get skin supersoft. Put a few drops on a cotton ball, and dab on flaky spots, avoiding any breakout zones. Then steam your face over a hot bowl of water to help it sink in."

Refresh your lip colors
"When I'm tired of a lipstick shade, I melt a few old ones together. Just cut off the stubs, pop them in the microwave, and pour into a little tin. Rub it on like lip balm."

Source: http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-look/makeup-skin-care-hair/staticslideshowcosmo.aspx?cp-documentid=16639252&imageindex=1

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3 Ways to Perfect Skin

1. De-puff your eyes: Most women with under-eye bags don’t think, You know, I need a potato! But they should. It’s like the cucumber thing, says NYC derm Anne Chapas, M.D. “There’s no real answer for why potatoes work, only anecdotal reports. But they cool the skin to constrict blood flow, which decreases puffiness,” she says. Cut two thin slices from a chilled spud and place them over your eyes. Leave on for 10 minutes.

2. Add a bit of shine: Meet the great skin brightener hiding in your cosmetics bag: lip gloss. Dab a neutral metallic gloss onto your cheekbones, eyelids and below brows, then blend. “It adds a sexy dewiness,” says makeup pro Scott Andrew, whose clients include Claire Danes.

3. Spritz your face: An extra hit of hydration wakes up parched skin. But before you spring for a fancy facial mist, try a cheap DIY. Brew a cup of green tea, then pop it in the fridge. Pour chilled tea into a spray bottle and dilute with water. “Mist your skin after you wash your face, then follow with moisturizer,” says makeup artist Tina Turnbow, who’s worked on Anne Hathaway. It’s a quick radiance booster that won’t break the bank.

Source: http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-look/makeup-skin-care-hair/articleglamour.aspx?cp-documentid=16186173&GT1=32001

Happy New Year

Sweat yourself smart

An awakening article I just read on yahoo states that: Exercise makes you sharper, happier and healthier.

I think we all know the benefits exercises bring (in fact, it has almost become a cliché now) but that's almost just it. We often fail to do regular exercises or to do any at all. We got all sorts of excuses for not being able to do exercises but in the back of our minds we feel guilty of not doing it or not doing it enough. So once in a while it is worthwhile to be reminded of of the benefits exercises can bring.

I'll just sum up the main points of this article here:

The benefits of a stronger heart and lower cancer risk are two well-known benefits. But there are more reasons that could help motivate us to do appropriate and adequate exercises. Exercises help:
1. improve your language skills
2. get all-natural pain relief
3. be happier at work
4. feel sexy at anytime
5. lower your dental bills
6. slash cold risk by 33 percent
7. reach the deep-sleep zone
8. beat bloating
9. see clearly
10. enjoy instant energy

Click here to read in more detail.

I hope to start doing some exercises. :D

Ah baby!

Turning 8 months soon, ah baby. :P Looking more and more like his mommy. He loves cars and ceiling decors. And loves to sing. Aw aw...

New pic old pic

This pic was taken almost 2 years ago but I didn't have this one until today. Found it tagged with my name on Take's facebook pictures. Like the poses, especially mine :P

Question

Anyone got any ideas what it is or causes it when the back of the neck often feels strained and everytime the neck is twirled to loosen the strain it makes cracking noises? And the shoulders too?

Awareness

Periodically we need to ask ourselves these difficult questions:

1. What has led to my unhappiness, and which dreams are not being realized?

2. Do these dreams come from the desire to fulfill a worldly goal, or are they coming from a longing to accomplish the path and purpose of who I really am?

"There is a significant difference between doing what we feel obligated to do and doing what our inner self is truly calling us to do," Maya Tiwari explains. "And that clarity comes from awareness."

http://coachingtip.blogs.com/coaching_tip/women/index.html

Global warming

It's global warming isn't it? ..... People virtually everywhere are struggling to keep themselves warm by turning on the heat, setting up bonfire, using warm clothes and blankets, drinking warm water, taking warm shower, etc.

Temperature here nowadays range from 15 to 25 degrees celcius. It's crazy.

Miss .....

For some or no reasons I really miss you today. Miss everyday but today especially miss. :P

Updates?

What have I done these past few weeks? Spent my time to the utmost. Took one week leave and everything. Had over 10 weddings to attend. There are about 5 more to go. What a busy season. And ..... most importantly, got a visitor!!! Very important one kekekeke