March 2014 Empties!

The month of March seems to have gone by so fast!

I've been so busy with moving that I hardly had time to focus on using up products, but I did manage to get through a few things...so here they are.

Head & Shoulders 2in1 Green Apple

 I gave this a go thinking it may help relieve my itchy flaky scalp from this winters dryness, and considering I'm not a fan of the original Head & Shoulders scent I thought this was a good choice. It did help alleviate my symptoms, but it left my hair flat and in need of another wash. I wouldn't purchase this again.

Dove Nourishing Oil Care Detangler

This is the second bottle of the Dove Nourishing Oil Care Detangler I've used up and I'm still in love. It leaves my hair shiny, moisturized, and sleek without weighing it down. Definitely will continue to repurchase this product!

Dove Pistachio Cream with Magnolia Body Wash

 This is a brand new body wash from Dove that has gotten a lot of buzz in the beauty community. I can definitely confirm the rumors and say this smells AMAZING! I will definitely repurchase this product. Read my full review here.

B&BW Malibu Heat Shower Gel

I've used the Bath & Body Works shower gels for years and have rarely been disappointed. This is the travel sized Malibu Heat. The scent is a mild tropical scent that got me in the mood for summer. Unfortunately, this scent is discontinued but keep a look out in case it returns!

Skintimate Raspberry Rain Shave Gel

I have been a fan of Skintimate for years and it continues to be my shave gel of choice! I finished up this travel sized one recently and will be sure to repurchase!

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion

I've had this moisturizer kicking around for far too long in my medicine cabinet and it was time to get it used up! This is a great moisturizer for those of us with dry skin. This winter was very hard on my skin and I appreciated having this intensive moisturizer on hand. I will consider repurchasing this when I've used up some of my other moisturizers!

up&up Maximum Strength Acne Medication

 Unfortunately this was a big fail for me. This acne gel was so harsh on my skin, it felt like it was burning. My skin peeled back and opened up in little sores everywhere I applied it. So after a few uses I have decided this belongs in the garbage!

Tretinoin Cream 0.05%

 Tretinoin cream is only available by prescription from your doctor. I find this to be one of the best acne spot treatments available. This really helped soothe my acne and bring down the swelling and redness without over drying or irritating my skin.

Crest Complete Extreme Herbal Mint Toothpaste

 I have used this toothpaste for literally 6 or 7 years. I have a very sensitive mouth and when it comes to toothpaste or mouth wash I have to be very cautious about what I use. This toothpaste has an incredibly strong mint flavor that will leave your breath very fresh and your teeth squeaky clean! 

Thank you for reading!

 

Lucious Lemon Pound Cake - Easy Recipe!

Cake Ingredients:

-1 box of Lemon Cake mix

-1 (3.4 oz) package instant lemon pudding powder

-4 large eggs

-1 cup water

-1/3 cup vegetable oil

Glaze Ingredients:

-2 cups of confectioners sugar

-1 tsp. butter

-1/2 tsp vanilla extract

-Boiling hot water

Cake Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 10-inch tube pan or bundt pan.
2. Combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, water and oil in large bowl.
3. Beat at medium speed with electric mixer for 2 minutes. Pour in pan.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes. Allow to cool in pan for 25 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate.  

Glaze Method:

1. Combine confectioners sugar, butter, vanilla extract. Add in boiling water in small increments until the consistency is thin enough to drizzle over the cake. 

DIY Deep Conditioning Hair Mask! - Affordable At Home Recipe

Today I have a super easy and affordable hair mask recipe!

This formula is super hydrating and promotes shiny, split end free hair.

You can experiment with this recipe to make it suit your needs; depending on your hair length and thickness you may need to increase or decrease the amounts!

Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Conditioner

You will need 1/4 cup of your favorite conditioner. I'm currently using this one from Herbal Essences.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

 You will also need about 3 Tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and a small mixing bowl.

Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

The last and most important ingredient is coconut oil! This is my favorite oil of all time! Read what I use coconut oil for here. If your coconut oil is solid you can melt it in the microwave or by dipping your jar into hot water. You will need 1/4 cup of melted coconut oil.

Give everything a good stir until your conditioner is mixed well with the oils!

Apply on dry hair from root to tip and leave in for at least 2 hours. Shampoo and condition as usual.

And voila! Shiny, frizz free healthy hair!

Thanks for reading.

Beauty Products I Regret Buying!

Today I'm sharing a few products that I regret buying. I will most likely do an updated one in the future, but for now I will just share a small list.

Let's get started!

Suave Naturals Sun-Ripened Strawberry Shampoo

 This shampoo from Suave has always attracted me because I love the smell of strawberries! It's quite difficult to find yummy smelling shampoos from other brands. It smelled great but other than that it was a big fail. It dried out my hair very badly and made it look flat, dull and lifeless. I definitely won't be repurchasing!

Redken Extreme Conditioner

 I read quite a lot of good reviews on this product, so I picked it up on sale at Ulta! From the very first use I was put off by the strange herbal scent of the product. I have very long hair and this just didn't provide the moisture that I needed. The consistency was so thin that it would slip off my hair onto the shower floor!

Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Split Ends Mender

 This split ends mender from Organix really disappointed me. After having tried several other Organix products I was really interested in this one. However, this just did nothing for my hair. It was an extra step I was taking that only wasted my time. I also had to be very careful not to use too much because it would weigh down my hair. 

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

 This is another product that I had read great reviews of online. Luckily I decided to pick it up in a mini size to give it a try. Cetaphil isn't kidding when they say this is gentle. I felt like my skin wasn't even washed after using this product. This would probably be suitable for extremely sensitive skin or people with severe acne. 

Pure Silk Shave Cream

 A few months ago I picked this up at my local Walmart in a two pack, having never tried it before. That wasn't a very wise decision. This did nothing to prevent razor bumps and irritation, nor did it moisturize my skin. Also, both cans clogged up before I had finished them (thank God). 

Nars Powder Foundation - Mont Blanc

This product was one of my biggest makeup purchases when I first started buying makeup a few years back. This is actually not a bad product at all. I enjoy the finish it leaves on my skin and the coverage is pretty good too. However, I don't think this is superior to any drugstore powder foundation I've tried. In my opinion, if a company is going to charge $45.00 for one product, it better blow my mind.

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette 

This palette from Urban Decay is another that I don't hate. I continue to use it from time to time and enjoy it. It's a wonderful value! I think I would have been just as happy without this palette though. I'm not a big fan of cool toned eyeshadows and the palette mainly consists of cool tones. I much prefer my original Naked Palette!

Thank you for reading!

All Images found from Google Images

Tips and Tricks for Lightening Dark Underarms!

Underarm darkness is something many women struggle with. If anything it's more embarrassing than it is harmful; but it is very important to find out what is causing your underarm darkness. In some cases underarm darkness can be a sign of a glandular disorder. But more often than not it's caused by improper care and treatment of the area. Shaving and dead skin cell build-up are the most common causes of underarm darkness. So maybe it's time to understand what we may be doing wrong.  

Hair Removal

1. Always make sure you are shaving with a fresh new blade. This ensures that you won't be left with any irritation or ingrown hairs.
2. Don't shave dry. Make sure you are using soap or shaving cream to prevent irritation.
3. When shaving, always shave in the opposite direction of your hair growth. This provides a much smoother shave and prevents irritation and ingrown hairs.
4. When waxing, make sure to hold the skin taught before removing and pull the wax strip in the opposite direction of your hair growth. 

Exfoliation

1. Exfoliation is very important for your underarm health. It will help sluff off the dead skin cells and deodorant build-up. Use a gentle body scrub and work it in circular motions on your underarms. I have a recipe on my blog for a coconut sugar body scrub here.

Moisturize

1. Most of the time we forget how sensitive our underarm skin can be. For most of us it's just as sensitive as our face! Moisturizer is a must to keep your underarms nourished and smooth. I would recommend using an unscented body lotion or a facial moisturizer.

Deodorant/Antiperspirant

1. Stop using antiperspirant. They contain aluminum based compounds which are linked to forms of dementia such as Alzheimer's. They have also been linked to breast cancer.
2. Choose a natural deodorant. There are many options these days from brands like Arm & Hammer, Tom's of Maine, Burt's Bee's, etc.
3. If the above fail for you, try a whitening deodorant/antiperspirant. I liked the Dove Cleartone.

Natural Bleaching Remedies

1. With regular use you may notice results from a few common household ingredients! Potatoes, cucumbers and lemons can all help reduce underarm darkness naturally. Just cut your vegetable of choice into 1 inch slices and rub gently onto your underarms. Allow the liquid to dry for about 10 minutes before rinsing. With continued use you should notice results in about 6 weeks. 

I hope that somebody finds this helpful! Thank you for reading. 

All Images found from Google Images

My Furry Friend Tag!

Questions-

1. What is your pet's name? Edward
2.  What kind of pet is it and what breed? He's a Pomeranian doggie.
3. How long have you had your pet? I've had Edward for 5 years!
4. What are some quirky things about your pet's personality? Edward is definitely a little dog with a big dog personality! He thinks he can take on anybody and anything when he really can't. He's very attached to my father and myself. He also has a little attitude when he doesn't get his way.
5. How old is your pet? He is 5 years old
6. What does your relationship with your pet mean to you? Edward is a very special little puppy; without him my life would be a lot more boring. He's a sweet and innocent soul that I'm happy to take care of!
7.  What are some of your favorite past times with your pet? Edward and I love going for car rides, taking walks in the summertime and hanging out on the couch.
8. What are the nicknames you call your pet? Ed, Eddie, Eddie Spaghetti, Eduardo...just to name of a few! 

Edward at 1 year old

Edward at 2 years old

Sleepy Edward

Edward after a bath!

                      

                      ~Eddie Spaghetti, breath like the walking deadie~
                                            Thanks for reading!

15 Beauty Uses for Coconut Oil

1. Great as a makeup remover and even removes tough water proof eye makeup.
2. As a body lotion; coconut oil is very hydrating and absorbs into the skin quickly so it won't leave you feeling greasy.
3. Lightens age spots and acne scars when applied regularly over time.
4. Acts as an all natural SPF 4 sunscreen.
5. Mixed with sugar for a smoothing body scrub. My recipe is here: http://sundancekoki.blogspot.com/2014/03/diy-coconut-sugar-body-scrub-easy-at.html
6. Can help soothe eczema and psoriasis break outs.
7. On lips as an all natural lip balm.
8. In hair as a deep conditioning mask.
9. As a natural antibacterial skin cream.
10. Can help reduce the appearance of cellulite when used regularly and over time.
11. As a natural shaving cream.
12. Works as a great, tropical smelling tanning oil.
13. As an all natural deodorant.
14. As a cuticle oil to hydrate and stimulate nail growth.
15. When applied regularly on eyelashes it will strengthen and make lashes grow thick and long.

HBO's Game of Thrones Season 4 Anticipation

With only one month left until the anticipated premiere of Game of Thrones Season 4, I thought I would share my plot expectations for this coming season!
Now I will admit I have never read the series, so I'm not very knowledgeable on GOT as many others, but I sure hope to read it in the future!
 -The biggest event in Season 3 was of course the "Red Wedding" which took place in episode 9, "The Rains of Castamere". One of the most anticipated events of the entire series, this scene did not disappoint. The entire time I was watching I was on the edge of my seat and moved to tears by the incredible acting. This was the episode that really got me hooked on the show.

-This coming season the two events I am most looking forward to are the royal wedding and the death of King Joffrey. And the two events are pretty much one! I honestly can't wait to see that bastard die; we all know he deserves it. But I am also excited to see the wedding itself. It's large scale, the set, the hair and makeup, all of it really!
-I'm also looking forward to seeing more of Arya and the Hound. Something about their awkward relationship makes me like Sandor even more as a character because he isn't as heartless as he tries to make everybody believe.

 Other than that I can honestly say that so far, every characters plot has interested me from the beginning. I can't wait to see how the characters progress this season and I hope there are many more to come!
Thank you for reading! 

All images found from Google Images

DIY Coconut Sugar Body Scrub - Easy At Home Recipe!

Today I have a very easy two ingredient scrub recipe! Scrubs are great to use 1-3 times a week to sluff of dead skin. This will also provide your body with a closer shave, or if you self tan it will prevent patchiness. This particular scrub only requires two ingredients, making it much more affordable than store bought body scrubs. So let's get into the ingredients and tools you will need!

 You will need: granulated sugar, organic extra virgin coconut oil, a mixing bowl and spoon, and an empty air tight container to store your scrub. You will also need a 1 cup measuring cup and a 1/2 cup measuring cup. 

             First, add 1 cup of granulated sugar to your mixing bowl.

   Measure out a 1/2 cup of your coconut oil. If yours is at room temperature   you can melt it in the microwave or dip your jar into hot water. Make sure your coconut oil is "organic" (grown without pesticides) and "extra virgin" (unrefined, has all of its natural nutrients)

Pour your melted coconut oil into your mixing bowl and combine well with the sugar. When it's well mixed it should look like this. 

 Scoop your scrub into your container of choice. I'm using an empty body butter container, but you can use any air tight container you have at home.

And that's it! This scrub is so moisturizing and will make your skin feel incredibly smooth and soft. It also smells so good, you may just want to eat it, and you can if you really wanted to! 
I hope this is helpful. Thank you for reading. 

NEW Dove Pistachio Cream with Magnolia Body Wash Review!

Pistachio Cream body wash?? If you're thinking "that's weird", then I would have to be honest and tell you that was my first impression when I saw this in my local Walmart. 
First of all, this smells nothing like pistachio nuts, but rather has a rich and creamy scent. Almost like ice cream! The scent lingers slightly on the skin but doesn't interfere with any lotion or perfume you may want to layer with it. The part that sold me even more on this product is the fact that it's so moisturizing! This winter has been one of the harshest on my skin; leaving my skin feeling tight, flaky, and itchy. This body wash has provided my skin with so much moisture that I no longer have those problems! 
So far, the only places that I have seen this carried are Walmart, Target, and in bulk at Sam's Club! This product is also available in bar soap form.

I would definitely recommend this to anybody who needs a good moisturizing body wash without an offensive smell!

An Introduction!

Welcome to my very first blog! This blog is dedicated to all the things I love...food recipes, DIY projects, product reviews and anything else that is relevant to my every day life. I decided to create this blog as an outlet. A way for me to feel better and have a place to just write. I hope that you will join me in this adventure.