Products I Would Put in My Bathroom Fridge

You read a lot of tips in the summer about stashing beauty products in the fridge to make their application more refreshing.  I admit I kept my eye cream in the fridge for about a week, but having to remember it was there, remember to use it, and keep answering the question "what is this" from my husband.  Not to mention, it's crowded in there!  So if I were to be totally decadent, I would have a little mini-fridge in the bathroom.

But you might ask, why?  Why keep products in the fridge?  Ironically, the temperature in the bathroom is actually bad for most products.  When they're exposed to extreme heat or humidity for a long time, their appearance and formula can actually change.  Just like how some medicines need to be kept cool, beauty products can actually work better if they're kept chilled too...or at least out of the humidity of the bathroom.

Here are some products worth keeping in the fridge (the big one in the kitchen or your decadent mini-fridge in the bathroom).

• Eye Cream:  First and foremost, applying chilled eye cream feels good.  The chill also helps combat puffiness (a little bit, I found, don't expect a miracle).  Also, keeping face products in the fridge, ie - a cool, dark place, prevents the heat from changing the formula.
• Nail Polish: I've always read the best place for polish is in the fridge.  Turns out, it's true.  According to Michelle Phan's blog, high temps can activate the formula's solvents giving polish that thick, melted consistency.  Store it in the fridge to extend shelf life and keep the lacquer smooth and easy to apply.
• Moisturizer: Similar to eye cream, it just feels good to apply it cool.  Self Magazine says makeup and moisturizers are "particularly prone to oxidation reactions since that contain oils that can turn rancid."  Keeping them in the fridge slows down the oxidation process.
• Sunscreen:  Some things I've read said keeping sunscreen in the fridge could separate the formula, but I think it'll help keep you cooler longer when you go outside.  If nothing else, stash that bottle in the cooler at the beach.

Do you keep any beauty products in the fridge?

Mastering Subtle Summer Makeup

Summer is the perfect time to master subtle makeup!  It looks effortless yet polished and is perfect for almost any daytime or outdoor event.  Whether pool party, bbq, or strolling through a street fest, you won't sweat your face off, but you'll still look perfect in all those Instagram snaps.

Here are ways to master the subtle makeup look:

• Pick the Right Base: Nothing says "I have on a LOT of makeup" like melting foundation and caked in lines.  Go with as light of weight foundation you prefer.  Many ladies love swapping out full foundation for a BB cream or tinted moisturizer.  If you're blessed with perfect complexion you can probably get away with concealer only.
• Buff in your Cheek Color: Cream blush is the best choice when it gets warm as it will last longer and not cake up if you sweat.  Try one with a hint of shimmer for a purposeful glisten, I like E.L.F.'s Shimmering Facial Whip in pink and applied with a stippling brush.  No matter what your blush, make sure to buff in your color using small, circular motions and a buffing brush so the edges fade seamlessly into the rest of your makeup.
• Less is More Eyes:  For wide open eyes, just a touch of shadow is all you need.  Sweep on a beige-y nude from lash line to brow then gently shade in your crease with a light taupe or brown.  If you want to line your eyes, do so with a wet eye liner brush and stamp on a brown (or playful purple) color as close to lashes as possible.  Mascara and filled in brows is still a must for definition, just use a waterproof kind if you'll be by water or are prone to sweating.
• Pick Lip Balm for Lip Color:  Lipstick can be too heavy and melt-y while gloss can get sticky when it gets warm, so opt for a tinted lip balm.  They go on easily and add just the perfect pop of color, plus most contain spf - a summer must (lips can get burned too).  I'm loving a bright, punchy pink right now.

Want to see the products above?  Click here.

How To...Use a Beach or Ocean Spray: Hint, it's not just for the beach

Summer is officially here!  We've had 80 degree days and it's past June 21st!  That means beach spray, sometimes called ocean or salt spray, is having its moment.  According to Allure Magazine, ocean spray started before the Emmy Awards in 2000 when Jennifer Aniston's hair stylist filled a bottle with water from the ocean and spritzed it in her hair.  But now, even if you're not near the ocean or spending the whole day at the beach you head to your local beauty salon and grab a bottle of beach spray for yourself!  Not sure how to use it?  Don't fret, read this blog to get you going!  Here are some tips for using beach spray:

• First thing is first: beach spray is not JUST for applying at the beach.  Sure, you can use it to freshen up your locks if you're on the beach, but you can use it anytime, all year long.
• Apply it on damp or dry hair and scrunch it with your fingers.  Pair it with a great bodifying mousse for extra oomph.
• For curl or wave challenged ladies, dry your hair for a few minutes with a hair dryer fitted with a diffuser to bring out the curls.  Flip your head over so your hair is upside down for part of the drying time.
• If you want a little extra texture, after it dries pull a dab of sunscreen through the length of your hair.  "You're basically faking what happens to you at the beach," says Jennifer Aniston's hair stylist Chris McMillan.
• Mess up your part and let waves take their natural shape to really mimic the beach look.  You can also pull your hair into two uber low pony tails for an unkempt, yet playful look.

My favorite beach spray - okay, confession...the only I've used, but I love it - is Sexy Hair's Soy Renewal Beach Spray (read all about my first time in this "I tried it" here.) You can use it wet or dry and it adds texture without getting sticky.  Bonus?  It comes in a small, travel size bottle too - perfect for touch ups.

What's your favorite beach spray?

3 Ways to Use Hair Oils

Photo credit

If you're like me, when you first saw hair oils in the beauty aisle you just skipped over them because you didn't know how to use them.  But after getting to know argan oil, it's really nothing to be afraid of.    Moroccan Oil was the first to burst on the scene and gain popularity, so a lot of people are using it or an argan oil.  If you just know people who use oils, change that and try a bottle today.


Here are three easy ways you can use a hair oil today:

1.  As a Leave-In Conditioner
As long as your oil contains argan, jojoba, olive, or sunflower, it's going to be hydrating.  A little goes a long way though, so two or three small drops will do you.  Run it through the length of your damp hair and then style as usual.  If your ends need a little extra tlc, you can rub an extra drop over the bottoms.
2.  As a Protectant
If you're undergoing a hair repair challenge (like I did earlier this year), you'll want to protect your strands as much as possible.  Slick on a little hair oil before taking a dip in a pool!  It will create a thin barrier that protects your hair from uber-drying chlorine.
3.   As a Shine Enhancer
Love shiny locks?  Oil will make your hair a little healthier and a little shinier.  Jojoba oil is said to be the best at creating shine as it contains the same lipids as your scalp's natural oils, so it can create a natural, healthy looking sheen.

If you're not sure what oil to start with, check out this blog by Beautylish that breaks down oils by hair type.

Other things oils can do?  Hydrate skin, calm redness, and treat acne.  Try creating a sugar scrub with an olive or grapeseed oil, sugar, and lemon juice.  You won't believe how smooth your skin will be when you rub it off.

Have you tried and loved any oils for your hair or otherwise?

4 Ways to Beat Summer Hair Frizz

Warm summer nights, longer days, al fresco dinning, frizzy hair...one of these things doesn't have to be involved in your summer!  Try these tricks for maintaining frizz-free summer hair.

• Always apply anti-frizz: There are some wonderful anti-frizz products out there, so slather some on after you get out of the shower and before you dry or style.  Oils like argan or Moroccan also can help smooth your hair strand and strengthen your locks.  Always apply anti-frizz products on damp hair whether you're letting it dry naturally or using heat.
• Blow-dry down: After using a heat protectant spray, angle the blow dryer down towards the ends of your strands instead of up.
• Embrace your natural texture: When all else fails, just go with it.  If your hair gets frizzy and wavy when it's humid and you try to straighten it, spritz in some curl spray and go for that wavy, unkempt look.  
• Create an updo: If your hair just isn't working, save yourself the stress and pull it into a messy ballerina bun (like this one, tips here).  Or try two low, messy pigtails.  If you keep them low, pony tail elastic at or below your ears, you'll look grown-up instead of girly.

How do you beat summer frizz?

Photo from: No More Dirty Looks Blog

Duck Bill Clips for Healthy Curls

Perfect for summer...a curled style that doesn't require a hot curling iron!  You know those silver clips the hair salon always uses?  If you head to your nearest Sally Beauty Supply or beauty store, you can grab a package for yourself and create stress free curls for your hair.  If you set them damp and let them air dry, you'll get a casual and cool look or old hollywood style finger waves.  Give it a try, following these three simple steps from Self Magazine.

For Casually Cool strands

1. Mist clean, damp hair with a salt-based texturizing spray to get that full, rumpled look and to keep strands from falling flat, says Jen Atkin, a stylist for Clear Hair in Los Angeles.

2. Lift top sections, spritzing underneath at the roots. This gives hair "windblown" body without the help of actual wind.

3. Secure hair in two low pigtails. Divide each in half and twist the two pieces around each other, tying ends. Wind; pin twists against head. (Check out this picture at the right -- this is how your mane should look. Tip: Try securing strands with fabric hair bands, which won't leave weird ridges.) When hair's dry, unravel and run fingers through it.

For an old hollywood feel, follow these three steps:

1.  Rub a quarter-sized blog of medium hold hair gel between your hands, then rake fingers through damp strands, starting an inch below roots and pulling to ends.  Create a side part.

2.  Twist 3-4 inch sections of hair around your index finger, pinning coils to your head with duckbill clips until all your hair is up.

3.  Let hair air-dry, then remove the clips and "brush" through the coils with your fingers, pulling gently to loosen the curls.

My Favorite Cruelty-Free Cosmetics

If you haven't heard, I'm pledging to go cruelty-free with my makeup!  There are so many fabulous beauty brands out there that make high quality, ethical products and they need your support.  As Yes to Carrots says, "beauty shouldn't hurt any living thing."  Since I don't want to support companies that hurt animals, I'm going cruelty-free!

Will you go cruelty free too?  Start small, there's no need to throw out your current stash, but when you go shopping for replacements or new products, look for a cruelty free label or symbol on the product.  Need a place to start?  Here are some products I've tried and liked!  See the full list and links here.

Do you have a favorite cruelty free product?  Leave a comment and let us know or share on our facebook page!