ItCosmetics Skincare Essentials To Pack In Your Memorial Day Travel Bag

Memorial Day is the Summer kick off and can be a busy travel time.  According to AAA, 41.5 million will travel this Memorial Day weekend! These travels can be stressful and can also be tough on your skin. Therefore, it is crucial for you to pack the right beauty products to help you at any time an Itcosmetics is here to help!

So, if you want to find out the ItCosmetics Skincare Essentials To Pack In Your Memorial Day Travel Bag, continue reading.

The Beauty Travel Bag
Yes, I tend to overpack, even if it is a weekend getaway.  But no worries for me as Itcosmetics has this adorable makeup case, and it fits perfectly in my suitcase. The case is also insulated, so it will keep your beauty essentials protected and cool from the sizzling summer sun!

Environmental Factors That Can Damage The Skin
When traveling, we are exposing ourselves to tons of damaging elements, especially in a crowded airport. Aspects like dust, sweat, and even makeup can be damaging to the skin!

One product from Itcosmetics that will help me to wipe away all this nastiness is their Bye Bye Makeup Melting Balm Wipes, not only can you remove your makeup in just one wipe, they are also designed as a 3-in-1 Hydrating, Anti-Aging, Makeup-Removing Micellar Wipes! I love that they are portable, disposable and fragrance-free!

Moisturize When Traveling
When traveling we are often exposed to recycled & airconditioned air which can further dehydrate the skin, so keeping your skin hydrated is essential.

Therefore, you want to make sure that you are packing something like Itcosmetics moisturizing treatments. They have a few that can help to revive your skin and those tired, puffy looking eyes!  Ok and don’t forget to drink plenty of water to help rejuvenate your skin, your skin will thank you!

Bye Bye Redness Moisturizer Skin Relief Treatment Moisturizer
IT rescues your skin! Perfect for even the most sensitive and dry skin, this ultra-gentle moisturizer helps calm and soothe your skin while neutralizing the appearance of redness with a unique color-correcting green tint.

Bye Bye Under Eye Eye Cream

Smooths, Brightens, and Depuffs those unwanted eyes bags! Yes, this eye cream is an amazing moisturizing eye cream that visibly smooths lines and brightens while reducing the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. This under eye cream is life-changing for your under eye area!

Plus, did you know that inactivity whether traveling on a plane or by car causes water retention, which can show up with puffiness under our eyes. This is another reason I pack this eye cream as it helps to make puffy looking eyes appear instantly more awake!I don't leave home without it!


That Memorial Day Glow
I am all for a glow; however, I am not one who is going to go in the sun without my SPF, so make sure to pack some SPF this Memorial Day weekend. Another thing to keep in mind is if you are flying that the change in altitude on a plane steals your glow, which makes for a dull, dry appearance.

Hence, another beauty item I packed is my Bye Bye Pores Bronzer Poreless Finish Airbrush Bronzer! IT’s your vacation in a compact! This bronzing finishing veil airbrushes the look of your pores while instantly adding sun-kissed warmth to your skin! Plus, it’s infused with coconut extract and comes in a universally flattering shade! So, no worries about orange looking skin, instead you will have a beautiful UVA free glow!

How Stress Can Impact Your Skin
Traveling creates the perfect storm for skin issues. Bad enough with all of the traffic on the road or if you're flying, flight delays which can cause anxiety.  If there is an increasing level of your stress hormones, it can increase redness (which the Bye Bye Redness Moisturizer helps with).  Stress can also enhance any inflammatory issues of the skin you may have, ultimately making you appear older!

So, what products did I pack to help with reviving my stressed skin?

First is my all-time favorite with Itcosmetics Bye Bye Pores Pressed Poreless Finish Airbrush Pressed Powder

This skin-perfecting finish will visually blur the appearance of pores and imperfections for a more youthful, airbrushed complexion.

Another must in my travel bag is Bye Bye Lines Serum! This is a lifesaver for me, as IT is an Anti-Aging Smoothing Miracle in a bottle! This weightless wonder serum not only improves skin texture and smoothness, but it also helps to boost radiance for your most youthful, healthy-looking results.

So, as you can see regardless of your travel plans, you can now say Bon Voyage to your skincare issues, by making sure to pack some of the ITcosemtics products I mentioned above; you and your skin will be thankful you did!

Tips For Getting Your Lips Summer Ready With Herpecin

 Contest Details Are At The Bottom Of The Page!

Pucker up baby; it is time to get your lips Summer Ready and Herpecin is here to help!

When people think of the change of seasons and beauty tips, most think of clothes, hair, tanning, makeup, but a lot forget about skincare and more so forget about the lips!

When the weather gets warmer, and the sun is out more, we need to be thinking of our lips.  And if the hot temperatures are not enough to punish your pout, the transition from the sultry heat to cool air conditioning can cause the lips to become dry and chapped as well!

For this post, I partnered up with Primp and Herpecin to share with you some tips to get your lips summer ready. So if you want to get a kick start for the summer, continue reading!

Lip Protection
Our lips are more susceptible to the sun compared to other areas of our body. For one our lips do not have any sebaceous glands. These glands are the ones that keep the rest of the skin on our body moist. Hence the only source of moisture for our lips is salvia, thus the dryness and chapping!

Secondly, another thing to be aware of is that our lips do not have any melanin in them. Melanin is essential as this is the natural way that our body protects the skin from the dangerous UV rays, and because the lips do not have this protection, they are at risk to get blistered and sunburnt! Not what I call Summer Beauty!

So, what is a girl to do? Protect your pout with a product like Herpecin!

What The Heck Is Herpecin L
Now I know that the name may be throwing you off, but this product is just not for cold sores. It is a LIPtastic product- known as the consumer brand "jewel lip treatment” that can be used year-round as it protects your lips from cracking and is more hydrating than other therapies! My lips have been so dry lately, and this lip therapy is a must to help me get and keep my lips summer ready as it is uniquely formulated with dimethicone for protection, and sunscreens to help guard against the sun's harmful rays!

Sun Blisters
Yes, the elephant in the room, a cold sore, fever or sunblister, whatever you want to call it, but the fact is that 50-80% US adults have oral herpes. So for those of you who are looking for a product to help with those evil outbreaks as well as some great lip protection, Herpecin L is for you!  Not only does Herpicin provide protection and hydration, but it also gives instant relief without numbing or drying your sensitive pout!

Where To Purchase Herpecin
Herpecin L 30 Lip Protectant/Cold Sore & Sunscreen Lip Balm Stick can be purchased at your local Walmart! So while you are getting some sunblock, beach bag, beach hat and other beach essentials, don't forget to pick up some herpecin for yourself and some for the entire family!

Exfoliate Your Lips
Exfoliation is an essential step in proper skincare, and our lips are not any different. Exfoliating your lips helps to keep them looking and feeling luscious. However, when it comes to exfoliating your lips, you want to be careful as you do not want to cause any damage. The lips are delicate, so you will want to use a gentle exfoliant, and I prefer some DIY treatments to help, check them out below.

• Honey and sugar lip scrub… Sugar is an effective natural exfoliant and honey has excellent antibacterial properties, full of antioxidants and is amazing for moisturizing and soothing the lips.

• Use a toothbrush. Yes, I said toothbrush, but you want to be gentle. Therefore I recommend using a soft bristle brush. Just apply some petroleum jelly and with a clean, soft bristle toothbrush, gently brush your lips in a circular motion. 

Finish both above lip scrubs with a moisturizing treatment, like Herpecin.

Your Diet
You are what you eat is a true statement. Plus, chapped lips not only occur because of a lack of moisture but also a deficiency in vitamin B. Some foods to consider adding to your diet are those rich in riboflavin and don’t forget about those high in antioxidants that can help with antiaging!

• Dark Green Vegetables
• Berries
• Nuts
• Sweet Potatoes
• Whole Grains
• Fish

Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water is essential, and I must be honest this is one area I am not great at as the task of drinking 13 glasses of water a day can be daunting.  While I am not dismissing the importance of drinking this many glasses, there are some other liquids you can consume. OR if you are like me, you can get some of your needed h20 intakes by adding some fruit like watermelon to your water.  Not only is watermelon great for hydration it also full of antioxidants such as lycopene, vitamin C and A which helps reduce those evil free radicals, hence slowing down the signs of aging.

Another great drink to consume is coconut water as it has a high PH, and not only does it hydrate the body, but also moisturizes the lips.

Don’t Lick Your Lips
Not only does this drive me nuts but licking your lips can cause them to become drier as you are basically putting the acids and bacteria in your mouth directly on your lips! Instead, apply some Herpecin!

So, there you have beauties! My top tips to get your smackers summer ready and in my case below camera ready! MUAH!

How To Make Your Own Clip-In Hair Extensions With Divatress

I am a hair extension queen and have been making my own clip in hair extensions for over 15 years, way before they became readily available to the public.  While you can purchase clip-in hair, the volume of hair on the wefts used to make the clip in hair pieces are thin and can be costly. Hence, Barbie's Beauty Bits prefers to make our own clip on hair pieces.

Clip-in hair is perfect for those who want to change length, add volume, experiment with color, address thinning hair, or create a curly hair extension, all without a long-term commitment. Plus, there is not any damage to your natural hair regardless of hair type.

Hair Extensions On Amazon& Sally's

I have updated this post using Amazon and Sally's as the other company, no longer offers the products I initially shared in this post.

So how do you make clip-in hair? Well, it is not difficult, all you must do is find a company with quality hair and purchase the needed products. There are a lot of companies, but one of the easiest ways for clip in extensions, tape in extensions, even glue in hair or glue in hair extensions is to search on Amazon. You can also find both synthetic as well as human hair extensions, along with already made clip-in hair if you do not want to make your own..

So, if you want to find out how to make your own human clip-in hair continue reading.

The Type Of Hair
Personally, I prefer to use Remy Human Hair as you can heat-style it with a curling iron and or flat iron, color it, wash it, cut it, basically anything you would do with your hair.

Furthermore, Remy Human hair is the highest quality of real, human hair on the market. Remy human hair has a luxurious quality because unlike other human hair products Remy hair is not stripped and the cuticles are kept intact. The hair is held in a unidirectional fashion that helps create extensions with a natural appearance.

Remy human hair is also super soft, shiny, and silky. Plus, when you use them to make hair extensions, the hair is much more manageable to maintain and completely tangle-free.  Remy human hair styles go beyond anything synthetic extensions can give you. No matter your style or hair needs, there are companies that offer a broad selection of some of the best Remy hair that comes in lengths ranging from 10 inches to 20 inches.

Other Products Need To Make Your Own Clip-in Hair
Amazon has everything you need to make your own clip-in hair, like this entire set  85 Pieces Hair Extensions Clip Wig Making Set, Includes 50 U-Shape Snap Clips, 10 Curved Needles, 20 T-Pins, 3 Rolls Weaving Thread, 2 Needle Threader for Wig Making Hair Extensions 

 Check list of items needed to make you own clip in hair extensions
Magic Weaving Combo- This is a must as it makes it so easy to sew the clips on the hair, so your hair extensions are sure to turn out with sturdy clips that will last throughout the duration of the hair!

Wig Clips- Don’t let the name fool you, these are not just for wigs. I prefer to use the large ones; the quantity will depend on how many hairpieces you have.  Also, the wig clips need to be high quality; this is not something you want to cheap out on as the last thing you want is for your hair extensions to fall off your head!

Measuring Tape- To measure out the hair as you want it even.

Hair Scissors- Quality scissors are essential as you do not want to damage the hair.

Bonding Hair Glue-  Sally's offers a variety of hair bond (glue) options for all hair colors that delivers a perfect hold at an amazing speed.

How To Make Your Own Clip In Hair Extensions

Now that you have all the accessories you are ready to start making your clip-in hair.  There are a few steps and while it does take some time it is sure worth it!

The Hair
I try to get my exact hair color, but if you can’t find it, that is OK, as you can dye the human hair wefts to match yours. Another tip is to purchase assorted colors of hair bundles to blend in with your hair.

I bought a lighter color that matched my highlights and a darker color that matched my roots and the rest of my hair. Doing this allows you to blend the hair, so it looks like your real hair. If you were to do this with already made clip-in hair, it would cost you a fortune, approx. $400, while making your own will save you about 70%! The I length purchased was 18 inches.

Once you have the hair bundles, you want to decide how many clip-ins you wish to make, depending on the volume of hair you want.  The trick to making full clip-in hair is to double or triple the hair track of hair in one clip-in piece.

I make two clip-in wefts for my hair that I place in the back. One track has two tracks of hair; the second one has 3 for added volume.

What A Bundle Of Hair Looks Like

Measuring The Hair
To custom fit your hair so it will look natural, you want to take your measuring tape and measure your hair along the back in a few areas. The first area is above the nape, and then about an inch above and if you are going for more pieces work your way up to about ½ inch. (I measure from ear to ear).

BONUS TIP... Another trick in deciding the width is going with lengths that are offered in standard clip-in sets and recreating those lengths.  For a full set of hair (a total of 10 pieces) see lengths and quantities below.

• One 8” weft 
• One 7" weft
• Two 6” wefts 
• Two 4” wefts 
• Four 1” wefts

Cutting The Hair
Once you have measured your hair, you want to cut the hair to fit those custom measured lengths to fit your head. And remember to double them up for added volume.

Gluing The Hair
I prefer to glue the wefts of hair together that will be on each extension piece. You can sew them, but it takes too darn long to do that.

To glue you want to take two identical hairpieces and layer them, one on top of another, set them aside and let them dry completely before the next step.

Sewing On The Clips
The number of clips depends on the width of the hair.  Since I only make two wide pieces for the back of my hair, I choose to sew three clips on each weft.

It is crucial that you make sure to sew the wig clips on the hair correctly. The wig clips have combs that slide into your real hair; this is what is going to hold the hair into your own.  The clips basically snap shut to fit against your head, so play with them first before attaching, as you make sure that you are sewing them in the right direction.

Wig Clips, Front & Backside View

The clips have holes in them for easy sewing. I sew three clips to each glued weft. Looking at the hair like a piece of paper, you want to sew one over to the left edge, one in the middle, and the last over to the right side.

Hair Sewing Needles
I love the magic weaving combo as the curved needles work wonders. Before I found these, I used to use regular needles, and it was a nightmare to sew without a thimble!  Thread color, it is crucial to find the color that is closest to your hair color.

IMPORTANT, you may find that people say that you can glue on the clips, DO NOT DO THIS!!! Your clips will not last long if you do this and can end up falling out, now how would that be on a date, not fun!

So there you have it beauties, my tips on how to make your own clip-in hair.

For more hair accessories, including human/synthetic wigs and boxed braids, make sure to visit Amazon.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top Tips To Spring Cleaning Your Wardrobe And Beauty Essentials With Babble Boxx

While you're going through your cabinets and scrubbing floors for a Spring-cleaning, your wardrobe and beauty essentials deserve some much-needed revamping too. Which is why I am excited to partner up with Babble Boxx for this post! They sent me a huge box filled with everything needed to help me to spring clean and revamp my Spring Wardrobe and Beauty Essentials. From skincare to bras, shoes, and eyewear, BabbleBoxx.com has me ready to look SPRINGtastic!

So, if you want to see my Top Tips for Spring cleaning your Wardrobe and Beauty essentials, continue reading.

Skincare
Yep, I started with this as skincare is my favorite and the top on my seasonal priority list. However, when a lot of people think about spring cleaning, they seem to forget about tidying up their skincare routine, which means getting rid of some old expired products and implementing some new ones into your regimen.

New Season New Skincare Routine
There is no better time to start prepping your complexion for the rising temperatures and humidity that, especially in my area will soon be upon us! Heat and humidity can cause an increase in oil production and lead to problematic skin, so switching to a lighter formula along with adding some exfoliation will help to get glowing, healthy spring skin!

Colleen Rothschild Skincare
I received two assorted products from the Colleen Rothschild Skincare line and let me tell you I screamed when I saw this brand in my box as the “Comprehensive Radiant Cleansing Balm” is one of my all-time favorite skincare products! This product is like no other I have used. It is literally like a balm for your face that effortlessly dissolves all traces makeup and other impurities on the skin. And it has Clove and Rosemary for a natural aromatherapy smell that is to die for! This Cleansing Balm leaves my face feeling so smooth and radiant. Plus, it was very hydrating, giving me a luminous, dewy look.

Exfoliation
Exfoliation is essential, and products with retinol in them are great at helping to boosts cellular turnover, which means it helps to eliminate dead skin cells and replaces it with new ones! Contrary to widespread belief you can still use retinol during the spring and summer months!

The tip is to use a product that you can apply at bedtime instead of the morning as the healthy new skin cells are more sensitive and prone to burning from the sun! Also, having a product that provides both retinol and hydration is key and the Colleen Rothschild Retinol Supreme Night Oil does just that.  Furthermore, this serum has the highest concentration of stabilized retinol as well as Vitamin C so not only does this product help to refine skin tone and texture, but it also helps to counteract the havoc brought upon by free radicals and environmental toxins! In the morning, you will wake to find skin that is renewed and radiant!

Want to revamp your skincare too, then make sure to use this 20% Off Code, BARBIE20 that is valid until the end of the year!

Spring Clean Your Bra Collection
While you may be getting rid of those winter clothes, some seem to forget about their undergarments, which means those old bras and panties!  Make sure go through them all and toss out any that no longer fit, are damaged, not comfortable, and even those that you have never worn, as most likely if you haven’t worn them in a year, you won’t.

When it comes to bras, I’m all about diversity, and if I can find a bra that I can wear as a strapless bra, under t-shirts as well as a dress, I am all about adding that to my bra collection! Luckily, I have been able to do just that with the Bali One Smooth U® Strapless Multiway Underwire Bra that came in my box! This breathable, lightweight BALI bra has multiway straps, allowing me to wear the bra eight ways, now that is what I call diversity!

Not only can this One Smooth U® Multiway bra be a traditional bra with versatile strap options, but with its Ultra-thin no-slip gripper it can also be worn as a strapless bra that won’t fall to your waist.

And if that all wasn’t enough, it is made from a lightweight mesh that helps to smooth away those troubled areas from that ever so dreadful back fat and underarm bulge! See below all of the ways to wear this awesome bra!

Tiding Up The Shoe Closet
While I am not a Carrie Bradshaw, I do have my collection of shoes and decluttering my shoe closet is a must.  Although this can be a daunting task I did put together a quick checklist, see it below.

1. Pull out all your shoes out, as out of sight out of mind.
2. Look at all of them and question yourself… Do they fit, do they hurt your feet, do you really need these, do you have too many of the same shoe type, etc.
3. Organize… Keeping shoes neat and stored with those that are similar make them easier to locate. I try to organize by shoe type and color.
4. Storage… Maximizing your space is critical as not only does it help you to find your shoes, but it also helps to keep them in tacked. There are tons of shoe storage products out there; I strongly suggest purchasing some. TIP… If you are limited on space, alternate the direction of your shoes. (place one shoe from each pair forward and the other one backward)
5. Although this is easier said than done, if you haven’t worn a pair of shoes in over a year, you probably won’t wear them so get rid of them. Plus, this will give you room for new ones and speaking of new ones, I did get a fantastic pair of shoes from Badgley Mischka Footwear in my Spring Babble Boxx.

Badgley Mischka Moryra Beaded Cage Shoe
Yes, while these are black, I love these peep-toe booties as they are so versatile and fit perfectly! Not only are they glamorous, elegant and effortless, but I can wear these shoes with dress pants, jeans, dress shorts and some skirts!

The Badgley Mischka collection is impressive, they have so many styles of shoes with a charm that harks back to the glamorous Hollywood of the Forties!  Plus, their sophisticated designs cater to any aged modern couture customer! The brand has remained true to this design philosophy and the consistent integrity of their collections, which is probably why their timeless designs appeal to a range of fashionable women, including Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Sharon Stone, Jennifer Garner, Julia Roberts, and now me!

Picking Eyewear For Spring
With the weather starting to get warmer and the sun starting to come out more, you need to make sure your eyes are not only protected but fashionable, and Zenni Spring Trend Glasses are here to help!

Finding the perfect glasses can be frustrating but having a checklist so to speak can most certainly help. I love that Zenni has a quick start guide on their website! Hence when selecting the perfect pair, you want to consider your face shape, hair color, eye color, and your personal style when deciding what to purchase.  You also want to look at the color, shape, and size of the glasses and Zenni glasses offers thousands of affordable styles ranging from classic and retro glasses to fashion-forward looks.

Trendy Not Spendy Glasses
Cute headline, right and that is Zenni glasses slogan as this brand allows us to express all sides of our personality both with some fantastic Fashion-forward eyewear and prescription wear. I was sent two pairs of Spring Fashion eyewear in my Babble Boxx, and I so love them!

Eyeglasses
A pair of Beyond UV Blue Blockers:  When it comes to protecting your eyes, UV is not enough. Therefore, I love these BLUE blockers as not only do they provide maximum UV protection, but they also offer protection both indoor and out against harmful HEV of blue lights.  I highly recommend these glasses as we are surrounded by blue light, especially with today's technology from our computers and phones.

A pair of Premium sunglasses from our Spring 2018 collection: Not only are these glasses trendy with some bling, but they are enhanced with polarized lenses to reduce glare. I love the fashion-forward round look of these glasses; I just must make sure to keep them away from my sister as she likes to snag my sunglasses!

So there you have it beauties, my Top Tips To Spring Clean Your Wardrobe And Beauty Essentials with Babble Boxx!