Va-Jay-Jay Friday: Magic Shave on Your...

Hi Ladies,

Summer is fast approaching so you know what that means... bikini season!!! Yes, my favorite time of year. However, it is quite costly to keep up our Brazilian waxing, so I wanted to share with you a little secret I use. In a word, MAGIC!

For years I have been trying to figure out a way to prolong my wax. Every time I walk out of a wax appointment, I have spent no less than $60 to $70 (ugh). I love my wax so much that I didn't complain, but since waxing (especially in the summer) is such a necessity, I found myself with a new monthly expense. Who wants that? So what did I do... I found a good, cheap (only $2.99), and effective product that does not replace our Brazilians, but it does prolong it. It's called Magic Shave!

This stuff has been around for years. The manufacturer, Softsheen Carson, has been developing products since before most of us were born. The formula is much like Nair or Veet, but MUCH gentler. Personally, I cannot use Nair because it breaks me out (talk about a hot ass mess, umph). However, Magic Shave doesn't and I believe it is because it was formulated to be used on a man's face. If it is gentle enough for a face, I figured my bikini line could take it... and I was correct!

I recommend using the powdered formula which you can see in the picture. You will mix it with water and spread on your bikini line. I am not recommending you go too far past that point (if you do use Vaseline to protect your pink parts), but again this is to prolong the wax you got by cleaning up and strays that maybe peaking outside our bikini bottoms (if you know what I mean). I really do think this product is worth a try, but please, please, please follow the directions. A burnt hoo-ha ain't pretty! LOL

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How To Paint Your Nails Professionally

Ladies, like me, I know you find pretty nails a fashion "must have!" I can't go without an amazing manicure and color to match, but how do we achieve that look? The nail salon maybe a very likely option for you, but let me give you a couple tips on how to do a manicure. You should be able to go at it alone... but with salon-like results.

Side Note: May I suggest you do this while watching one of your favorite movies or TV shows since you will need a couple of hours.

First, make sure your nails are clean, buffed and free of acetone. Do so by washing your hands and drying them with a paper towel before the first application.

Next, ALWAYS use a Base Coat. This is a must. It is the first layer that allows the polish to adhere to your nails properly while smoothing any ridges in your nails. No one likes bumpy nails.

Third, apply first coat of polish, make sure it is a thin coat, even if it goes on transparent. The second coat will make the color pop. Sometimes a third coat is needed. After your first coat is thoroughly dry (wait at least 20 mins), apply second coat. Repeat only if needed. The color pictured is Revlon Really Red.

Lastly, you want to apply your Top Coat. Your top coat is the product you should invest in. I like OPI's Top Coat best. It has an amazing lasting shine and it is the most durable I have tried, and I have tried them all! Once again, it is imperative that you allow this coat to dry all the way through, give yourself a minimum of 45 mins once top coat is on.

Once this is complete, you are ready to go. If you have polish on your skin, no worries. Once nails are dry, the excess polish will peel right off in the shower or sink.

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The Miracle Oil

Guess what has me so excited I had to share it with you? Two words, Coconut Oil. This stuff is amazing for so many things. Recently I had a huge breakout… and trust me; I do NOT get breakouts (with the exception of an occasional bump), but after trying two deep facial cleansings a day, then switching to a light cleansing in the morning with warm water, then changing my diet, drinking more water, changing my pillow cases every evening, going to the dermatologist just to have her prescribe drugs that I knew would only be a temporary fix… no way… I resorted to coconut oil. WOW, what a difference.

I was already using coconut oil to moisturize my body… I just love the smooth texture and coconut fragrance, and believe me, so much better than baby oil. So I thought, hmm, how would this stuff work on my face?! After all the washing I was doing to my cheeks, forehead, and chin, I noticed my skin starting to flake and dry out. So one night I dabbed the coconut oil on my face and slept in it overnight. The next morning, my skin felt supple and although the breakout was still there, the tone of my face was bright again, so I continued to do it every other day. Within a week, I had a very noticeable difference in the breakout and my skin was looking near normal again. Now, I am happy to say, a month into the regimen… I am acne free again. Thank goodness.

Now I know some people are wondering why you would apply oil to acne. Most people think that oil is the cause of acne, but that is not exactly true. What I found is, when your face is dry, your skin over produces oil in an attempt to moisten the skin, which then leads to clogged pores and breakouts. So if you assist the skin in getting the moisture it needs, it has less work to do and the healing process can begin. This may not be a cure for you, but it is worth a try. It is much more cost effective than going to the dermatologist. The oil is soothing to the skin and bumps. No worries about what chemicals are entering your bloodstream unnecessarily, plus you can use it as massage oil, a scalp treatment for dandruff or skin treatment for eczema. And even if you end up hating coconut oil on your skin, simply use it to cook with. Did I mention it was pretty good in coffee too!? I am telling you, this stuff is a must have, but only buy organic, cold or expeller pressed. Any market like Whole Foods will be sure to have it in stock.

Good Luck!

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The “No Wax” Alternative

Ladies, I KNOW you’re dying to hear about this! “What could it be,” you ask. It’s called [drum roll please]…. The Epilator. A few weeks ago, I tried this product after having tried waxing and then going through some laser hair removal at a DC facility. I heard about the epilator through a random online site and it promised to give me the same results as waxing, minus the hefty bills you’d rack up from visiting a salon. So, did it work? In fact, it did.

Now before you throw on your flip flops, grab your keys and head to closest Target, let me tell you a couple things about the epilator first. This device is basically an electric tweezer. Does it hurt? Yes, BUT, it is not any more painful than getting a wax. Of course, this depends on your level of pain tolerance, but it is like anything else, after awhile… you get use to it. The biggest difference is… it takes longer to achieve those smooth, prickle free legs because most epilators on the market have a small rotating head. The coverage is not very substantial, but it gets the job done.

So, would I recommend this product? Considering that nowadays, everyone is searching for ways to save, I would highly recommend the epilator because you will obtain the same silky finish to your legs, just as if you had waxed… AND you only pay between $40 and $80 dollars, ONCE! That’s much better than forking out that amount on monthly services in the salon.
Where to find these annoying little miracles: Target, Amazon.com, beautychoice.com, just to name a few. Good Luck!

P.S. Please don’t try to give yourself a Brazilian with this thing… word to the wise! LOL

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PRODUCT REVIEW: Cetaphil

Umm hmm, I know what you were thinking, get your minds out of the gutter. I am talking about one pump of my favorite facial cleanser... Cetaphil. A lot of people constantly ask me how I keep my skin looking radiant and fresh; the answer lies inside of this 8 ounce, white and blue bottle. With its gel based consistency, the formula glides on smoothly and feels refreshing. Ladies, it even removes your makeup with little effort. A multi-purpose product for sure, and at around $10 a bottle, this is a deal. For some odd reason, people are under the impression that they need to spend excessive money on products in order for them to work, but the truth is, a lot of expensive products are manufactured through the same companies as the cheaper ones. So why pay more? This is an easy and affordable alternative to healthy skin. Just try it, you'll be happy you did.

Overall, I would recommend this product to just about everyone; all skin types, men, women and young teens.

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