Makeup Dupes, I Spy Series

 

This is the first post of my, I Spy Series, where I feature great finds, whether tidbits, products, or even tips from others.  That I plan to share with you each month!  To kick off the program, I will be doing a few posts this month.

My first find, is the Dupe List by Temptalia.  We all have a product we love, and whether it is no longer produced, or maybe it’s out of stock. This website will allow you to enter in a product, an it will let you know a similar product for it… How Genius; it's a ladies dream come true.

Aside from finding a copy cat, according to the website “The Dupe List" is here to help sort through all of those duplicate products, so you don’t end up purchasing a lot of the same items but by another name.  Additionally, the Dupe List may be helpful for those looking for an affordable version of a higher-end product.  I mean why pay the higher-end price if there is matching product out there for cheaper? Furthermore, you are able to see just how similar it is, and ways it may differ.

So How Does It Work?

This site allows you to sort by brand, shade, and type.  Excited to stumble upon this great find, I decided to check out my all-time favorite eye shadow, which is MACS Carbon eyeshadow.  There were approx 12 dupe shadows for MACS Carbon, and there were quite a few that were 100%.  For a full Carbon dupe list click here.

Carbon Dupes That Are 100%

• Black, by NYX

• Self Portrait 2, by NARS

• Lucifer (Ludwig Palette), by Kat Von D

• A Drinking a Glass of Shine Palette (#8), by Wet & Wild

• Pitch Black, by Milani

As you can see by the image to the right, where I currently pay $15 for MACS Carbon, two of the dupe products are priced much lower.  Milani, Pitch black is only $4.49 and NYX Black is $4.50!  I'm buying these tonight; I'll keep you posted. 

Don't forget to click here to find the dupe for your favorite product! And lastly, make sure to watch the video below for another great MAC dupe...Until next time!

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What In The World is BB Cream?

BB Cream is all the rage right now, but what in the world is BB cream and why are women so crazy about it?

Well let’s first start out with, what is BB Cream?  BB cream is an all in one facial cosmetic product; replacing foundation, primer, moisturizer, and it has a sun block, yeah!  This combination allows your skin to appear flawless, while delivering some awesome skincare benefits as well.

Some Important Bits On BB Cream

1. This product was originally created by dermatologists in Asia as a treatment used by patients who had laser surgery to help with redness.
2. What does BB Cream stand for? Blemish balm, blemish base, or beauty balm.
3. How it is best applied? Because BB cream is a foundation, I found it best to use a makeup brush or a makeup sponge, allowing you to blend, cover, and correct your look.

Personally, I love BB creams; therefore, I thought the greatest way to give you some more important bits on this wonder cream was to make a video out of it.  So lights, camera, action; watch the video below!

Click Here To Watch

Which BB Cream?

Well there are a lot out there & the choices can be over whelming. None the less, I decided to give two a whirl.  I tried a department store brand an one from the drug store.  

 

Drug Store Version: Maybelline Dream Fresh BB

I liked this right away because I could select the one that best fit my skin tone.  I was actually surprised to find it marketed by color, as most BB creams are categorized according to skin types rather than color tones.  This Maybelline creation offers colors from light to ones for darker skin tones. The coverage on this product is very light & sheer, an exceptionally easy to blend; I really enjoyed this Dream Fresh BB Cream a lot for a drug store brand.

Department Store:  Too Faced Tinted Beauty Balm 

Being a Too Faced fan, I thought this would be a great one to try.  This brand was very light weight; it also gave me a dewy look;  enabling that younger skin glow.  This oil-free beauty balm was great for priming my skin while protecting it with a SPF 20 UVA/UVB sunscreen, but with minimal coverage. 

So there you go lovelies, another Makeup Monday Bit! 

Apple Cider Sore Throat Remedies

It’s that time of the year, with allergies and colds; you can get a sore throat.  And we all know how painful these can be.  But, before you start running to the doctors, why not run to your pantry to look for some relief instead; with some apple cider vinegar & honey.

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is one of the great all time pure goodness remedies going way back.  It contains natural bacteria fighting properties as well as various minerals and other elements that are important to maintaining a healthy body.  At the same time, honey has some wonderful antibacterial factors. Plus honey is soothing, so the combination of the two helps to kill the bacteria, while comforting that sore pain in your…throat!

So How To?

BB Bit 1: First you need to make sure you have the correct ingredients, starting with the right type of apple cider vinegar.  This being raw-unfiltered vinegar.  I prefer to use Braggs organic, as it is also unpasteurized and gluten free.

BB Bit 2: Amounts…

1. One tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar
2. One tablespoon of pure honey
3. One cup of warm water

BB Bit 3:  You can also make a formula to gargle with. Personally, for a really sore throat I prefer this; I just cut down the water to about ½ cup.

So next time you start to feel a little under the weather, grab some apple cider vinegar! As an apple a day or in this case apple cider vinegar, can keep the doctor away. Making both yourself and your wallet happy! 

Important: Apple cider vinegar is very acidic, so with any mixture you make it is imperative that you always dilute it with juice or water.  DO NOT GIVE HONEY or the above mixture to children or infants.  Furthermore, it is important that you consult with your doctor or health-care professional prior.

No More Oily Hair

So while I was at the salon today, I had an unique conversation with my stylist on how often I wash my hair a week.  Being beauty obsessed, I knew that it is not a good idea to wash your hair a lot.  My stylist has always told me to go as long as you can.  But today she informed me that I could add one more day to my regimen, but why?  Because we can train our hair to be oily, on the same token to be less oily. What???

So this sparked today’s tip:  How To Stop Stressing Over Oily Hair. With the first BB Bit, being: Don’t overdo shampoo.  Although washing your hair can appear to be clean it actually can harm your hair, especially if you are one of those that think you have to wash your hair every day.  As the truth stands, cleaning it every day makes it more oily.  And this is why.  Over-washing strips your locks of all of its protective oils, and because of this your body compensates, by actually producing additional oil.  Each time you wash your tresses, the more oils your scalp produces.  Therefore, instead of daily washing go every other day.  And if you are currently going every other day, try every third day for a while.  Over time, you’ll be able to go to washing your hair twice weekly.

BB Bit 2: Factors. Although the above is true, hormones, styling products, and nutrition can also play a part. With food, I always go by this rule; we are what we eat.

BB Bit 3: A tip to brush against. Brushing your hair helps distribute sebum (the oily secretion of the sebaceous glands, whose ducts open into the hair follicles, lubricating the skin and hair). Hence, if you are one of those that have to regularly brush your hair, you are causing the sebum gland to excrete more oils onto your scalp, causing your hair to become oily quicker.

BB Bit 4: Products to Help...

• Tea tree oil works great. Bumble and Bumble has some great products.  I love their Tonic.  It a is spray for your hair that has a blend of herbs, vitamins and Tea Tree oil.
• Dry Shampoos can give you an extra day; my favorite is Klorane
• Use a shampoo that doesn’t create a lot of suds. Tons of lathering suds are worse for your hair. As these shampoos more than likely have tons of moisturizers in them.  Instead, choose a Sulfate-free product, as these types leave these build-up in hair.

So there you have it another Tuesday tip. Also, make sure to stay tuned as I will be sharing with you some Pantry to Pretty tips on how to make your own dry shampoo.

Have any tips on keeping your hair oil free, let us know.  

Resources:

Dupre,s Salon & Day Spa