Dead Sea Bath Products

Ahava Dead Sea Mineral Body Care

Often when we try something new, we automatically have this instant love or this instant dislike very much attitude.  Than there are things we can associate with that item on a mythological level and that makes us love something even more (at least for me).  For a long time, I have been searching for something that could directly link me to Aphrodite-the goddess of love and beauty.  Aphrodite helps each of us to remember that in our own ways each and everyone of us is beautiful and all of us desire and seek self love and love from others.  Aphrodite has been very important in my life since losing my husband because she reminds me daily that there is a lot of beauty in the world, and there is also a lot of love-all we need to do is open our selves to it and accept it when it is given and/or offered to us.

Just on a daily base anyone who has a deep love for the meaning of Aphrodite honors her just by taking a shower because she is associated with water- The ocean to be exact!! So not only do I honor her by taking showers but also by using this sea salt water for my hair to give it this natural wavy look like you get at the beach.

Recently, I have learned about a company called Ahava. They were founded to study the minerals found in the Dead Sea. Today, they have grown to be the Dead Sea mineral beauty experts. Their products are not tested on animals, allergy tested, approved for sensitive skin and paraben free.  To preserve the environmental balance of the dead sea, Ahava has an innovative waste water return process they do that allows the pure water to be returned back into the environment after using it to create products. You should visit their site, their story is very interesting.

My thoughts about Ahava, is they have found a fan for life! I love products with Dead Sea minerals in it.  I am so in love with Ahava Mineral Botanic velvet body lotion that it is not even funny!  It is beautifully scented with honeysuckle and lavender, which automatically means the scent is very relaxing and calming.  When you put it onto your skin, it absorbs fast just leaving your skin feeling like velvet. I am very excited about trying their other scents. Love, love the honeysuckle lavender!!

When it comes to body washes, I am SO picky.  I have tried gels, bars but my favorite has always been cream shower washes.  There is something (to me) that is very moisturizing when using a cream body wash, and for some reason it just does my body better.  Well, Ahava has a Hibiscus and Fig Cream body was that is so delicious smelling it will blow you away.  This cream wash is very soft smelling, when the leather is on your skin it is very creamy and does leave that tight feeling you get sometimes when using other washes.

I am very excited to try some other products they have.  I am not sure how long the special is running but when you spend $30 you can get this travel beginners set for Free, plus they offer you three free samples with each purchase.  To me, it is a win-win deal because when I use these products not only does it may skin feel beyond wonderful but on a mythological level it brings me closer to connecting with Aphrodite's energy.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Contouring Brush Set that will Blow your Mind

Beauty Junkies Contouring Brush Set

I wrote a post talking about how brushes do matter.  It was a lesson I learned really fast, and now that I know more about what I am doing, it has made life a lot easier in my world of makeup!!  I actually, found out about this brush set from a video I was watching.  I went to Beauty Junkees site and signed up for their news letter and got a really good discount. They contacted me the other day and gave me a code to share with all of you...

Click on this link: Beauty Junkees and claim your 25% discount on your first order! That is what I did to get my contouring brush set.  In the set you will receive:  A very nice zipped case that the brushes fit into perfectly.  A black beauty sponge and I promise you can NEVER have too many of these... You will get a Pro-Sculptor Brush, A pro-Duo Fiber Brush, My favorite a highlighter brush and a small detailer brush.

All of the brushes are extremely soft, full headed and will help with your contouring like a profession.  As always, remember although the brushes have marked on them what they are used for, you can still use them for other things.  The small detailer brush will be great to use for eye - shadow as well.

I honestly love my brushes, and feel the price was fantastic.  I know with the warmer months approaching, having your brushes in an ease carry along case will work perfect for those weekend get away ( s)!! This is one purchase I know you will not be sorry you made!!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Long Hair Horrors

Ouidad to the rescue 

Ouidad Hair!!!!

For about four years (If I am not mistaken) Ouidad Botanical Boost has been my Knight in Shining Armor. No joking, very serious.  I have very long, naturally curly hair.  Washing it, and trying to comb it out use to be a nightmare, seriously, it was a horrid!  I would break my hair, split ends were beyond bad, than one day by luck, Ouidad waltzed into my life.

I have to use a detangler on my hair everyday and use a special detangler comb. Without them, my hair is crazy. This spray is a blend of nourishing botanical, anti-oxidants and conditioning aloe. It smells wonderful, it is not heavy at ALL, it works great as a detangler. Best of all, each time I use it, my hair feels refreshed and moisturized.  I use mine on my wet hair.  In the warmer months,  I use it on dry hair as well because it helps to keep the frizz down and it adds a soft moisturizer. LOVE this products seriously!!

Not two long ago, I was looking for a good hair gel that did not make my hair stiff and yet tamed the frizz and made my hair look natural but also I wanted it to stay in place. Wow, was I looking for a lot huh?  Well, I found Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Styling Gel, and I WILL never use a different gel on my hair again.

This is a hydrating gel that works from the inside out with your hair and gives you beautiful hold.  It contains meadow-foam seed oil that is rich in fatty acids and infuses moisture into the hair cuticles.  Arnica (one of the best herbs in the world! in my humble opinion) plumps and seals dehydrated hair strands.

After I comb my hair out using the Ouidad Botanical Boost on my hair, I will take about a quarter size amount of the Ouidad Curl Quencher and rub my hands together.  Than I rub and shake it into my hair, if that makes sense. I have found by doing that, it makes the large loose curls like in the picture above.  So you rub the gel starting at your roots, and work it down the strands of your hair, shaking the hair to loosen it and than scrunch it. I use a blow dryer and dry my hair a little again by shaking it as I blow dry it.  

**PLEASE note:  I do not mean shake your head back and forth, but take a hold of your hair and light shake it loose with your hand.

You will be amazed how continue use of these products will make your hair feel.  If you already use it, please share below!!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here are some additional SUPER SAVING opportunities!!!

Get a Ouidad Shower Cap + Wide Tooth Comb free with any $80 purchase (value $23). Use promo code CAP416

The "Spend Now, Save Later" Curl Event -- Spend $100, Get a $20 Voucher toward your next purchase!

Receive a 2.5oz Curl Quencher Moisturizing Styling Gel, free with $75 purchase AND 5 Free Samples + Free Shipping on any order . Use promo code CQGEL416

Friends & Family Product Spotlight: Buy one 8.5oz Ultra-Nourishing Cleansing Oil, get a second one at 50% Off. Use code ULTRA2X in the shopping cart

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IT you have Anti-aging Covered

Here is what I know, when it comes to anti-aging and makeup, most of the time, one of the first companies you are going to hear mentioned is IT Cosmetics! Yes, IT has anti aging covered with their new 'Bye Bye Breakthroughs 5-piece Anti Aging Kit'! Wow, say that fast five times!!

The kit was a TSV on QVC and it is A.O.K in my books!! (Joking had to throw in the A.O.K!!) The kit contains:  Bye Bye Cleansing Balm, Bye Bye Under Eye Illumination Full Coverage Anti-Aging Concealer, Bye Bye Pores Pressed Powder, Bye Bye Pores Blush and a beautiful soft full headed, Heavenly Skin Bye-Bye Pores Powder Brush!

I have used everything in my kit except that beautiful brush, but I will use it soon, I am sure, it is too soft and beautiful not to use!!  So I am going to share my two cents with you, and from there if you have tried them, please comment below and let us know how you like the items!!

Bye-Bye Cleansing Balm:  

This is a first for me.  I have never used a balm on my face before, but I do love how this makes my skin feel afterwards! The skin almost glows and it is so soft!!  The first night I used it, I did not use a cleansing cloth before hand, I just put the balm all over my face and it did 'melt' the makeup off.  BUT I was not real crazy about how it removed my mascara so now I use a cleansing cloth first, than follow up with the balm to take off anything the cloth may have missed. Just keep in mind, this is how I do it and it works great for me, you may like just using the straight balm, it is a very good product and you will love the way it makes your skin feel!

Bye-Bye Pores Pressed Powder and Heavenly Skin Powder Brush:

Okay, the powder is pretty cool.  I believe with all powders, they should always be used sparingly. If you rub the brush in the powder, tap the brush than apply the powder to your face, it works great.  I use a smaller brush for my under eye area. The powder is great for setting your foundation and concealers.

Bye-Bye Pores Blush

I am in love with this product! The color is very pretty, it is very pigmented, so a little goes a long way, and it is the perfect shade for springtime. I truly love this a lot!!

Bye-Bye Under Eye Illumination Full Coverage Anti-Aging Concealer

I am up in the air with this product. I have been wearing it daily trying to figure out how I like it.  Working with mature skin especially in the under eye area, is different than working with younger skin that is not wrinkled or has fine lines.  In that case it would be a great product, but for MY mature eye area, I am not completely sold on it, so this one I will have to get back to you about.

Over Night Facial Mask Revised

The Marriage of Honey Dew and Chamomile

I wanted to do a very fast post about this very inexpensive item that is like liquid gold!! It started like this for me, I wrote a couple blog post, talking about how I did not take care of my skin when I was younger and I have a lot of sun damage on my face.  Since I have totally devoted in changing that, I have been up at 2:00 in morning doing my nightly routine.  I wanted so bad to just go to bed, but I didn't until I did my cleansing routine.  

Anyway, I believe I was either reading a blog or watching a video and they were talking about how good mask are your skin. Since I haven't used a mask in a very long time, I decided to stop at CVS and check out what they had. I looked at several and ended up getting two, both are CVS brands I believe. I know this one is.  Because I have studied herbs for a very, very long time, I know how good Chamomile is for your skin. 

The second I opened this, it was beyond wonderful.. it smells fantastic, like a breath of fresh air.  So this creamy overnight mask will refresh your skin, its filled with antioxidants, chamomile rejuvenates and hydrates your skin and the coconut oil conditions and deep moisturizes your skin.. I am telling you it is a win-win. 

So my thought was... yikes, this stuff is going to get all over the place.. but it does. At night after you take off your makeup, and cleanse your face, you will place this creamy mask all over your face avoiding the eyes and mouth.  After a little while it dries and you feel nothing really.  The next morning wipe off your face with a cleansing cloth and add a moisturizer if you want. I personally wipe off my face, drink coffee than do my face routine. 

Now here is the BEST part of this... this product cost less than $4.00 for 6 oz.  I love it!!  What are your thoughts about mask.. do you use them? Do you have a favorite kind? Please share below. 

If you love makeup and love sharing tips, ideas, your favorite cosmetics and so on, come join us on FaceBook at JK Makeup Junkies!!

I just used the most amazing mask by Ahava!! It is called Time to Clear Purifying Mud Mask. It is the most amazing mask I have ever used.  You put it on and as it dries, it turns clear. You leave the mask on for two minutes and when you wash it off, you will flip out over how amazing your face looks.  It is refreshed, radiant, smooth... I could go on and on... If you would like to test it, if you click on the Ahava link, and spend $30 you can get a FREE beginners kit by using the code Headstart and a sample size of the mask is in the kit.  The kit is the third link below.. trust me you will be-amazed how beautiful your skin will look!!

Beauty Haul April 01-2016

Give me a lipstick and I am a happy girl!

First Blog post about my beauty hauls!!  I will be sharing a beauty haul every Friday starting with today April 1, 2016.  Since I just got in a few new lipsticks, I am going to start there because I mean, come on it is Spring, we need fresh new bright colors, and I will use any excuse to get a new lipstick!!  So here we go..... 

Kat Von D-Everlasting Liquid Lipstick-BELOVED

I am a HUGE fan of Kat Von D- everlasting Liquid Lipsticks. I have many colors.. one day I will do a blog post just on her lipsticks. Anyway, this beautiful BELOVED is a light coral color with a pink undertone (at least on me). To me, it is a perfect Springtime Shade that I know I will get a lot of use out of! These lip colors are very long wearing, you do have a few seconds to make any corrections before it sets.  Her lipsticks never feel heavy or dry... they are among my favorites!

Ciate Liquid Velvet - PinUP

I am very NEW to this company. I have never used their products before.  When I choose this color 'Pinup', on the swash it looked like it had a bit more pink to it, it is described as a rich berry.  But berry tones to me have blue undertones and for some reason this color has a warm undertone.  I will admit, the lipstick feels fantastic on your lips. It is soft and the formula is creamy.  It is a long-wearing lipstick and it holds up pretty good. Not as good as some of my others but all in all, I would purchase additional colors! It has a unique applicator that makes putting it on easy for me. But it is not your regular kind of sponge applicator. 

Ofra Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick - Angeles

Again, I am new to this brand of lipstick. In one of my BoxyCharm boxes I got a banana powder of theirs and loved it.  But this is the first time trying their lipstick.  First and foremost, the formula is so soft and creamy it is hard to believe it is a liquid lipstick. Now, when I looked at the color swash, to me it looked like a goldish platinum color.  In reality it is a like a frosted campaign color. I used a dark liner, because without it, the color did nothing for my complexion. It almost washed me out. Not real sure how I feel about the color, I may see about returning it.  But I will say I love the formula. Since I just got them in the mail today, I have not had a chance to know how long lasting it is.. but it feels great on my lips.

Ofra Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick - Laguna Beach

Again, I am new to this brand, but love the formula so much. It is so creamy and light.  It feels SO good on your lips.  I am liking this color Laguna Beach. It is light a medium mauve color, with a warm undertone on me.  I am pretty pleased with the way it goes with my complexion. It would make a good springtime color, perhaps to wear on a cruise or at the beach!!