When days are busy or long and you’re hungry and need a an energy boost… Try this! Working in beauty and wellness is glam but schedules can be crazy and hectic. At times theres no time to eat. I try to keep fruit on hand to eat. Bananas and fresh green apples fill you fast and hit the spot. Staying hydrated with 💦 water is another must.
But making a recipe like this shake keeping these supplies on hand help. This shake will get you through until you can eat a real meal. This is cocoa rich creamy and dreamy recipe!
Today I went to light up an aromatic candle I wanted to enjoy its beauty. I love to do this! I love candles.
I wanted to take a long bath. The glow,the illuminating light, the scent …but I couldn’t. My match would not work. I grabbed another match from the box and no light. I tried six times. Still no luck. I told myself “It’s just a candle” Or is it really?
I wanted my bath to be complete, the room glowing and the scent in the air. So, I put on my robe I had taken off and hunted down another match set around the house. After 10 minutes I found them! Praying at least one would work and light up! I headed back upstairs to my bath 🛁 waited to take my robe off and get in and finally success! The matches worked and I was able to light the three wick candle.
I was so happy! It’s all about the little things … isn’t it? There is so much to be said about them. Have you had a moment like this where you thought it truly is all about…the beauty of the little things?
I featured on TV here in sunny Florida…some beauty hacks this time with an Earth 🌏 month twist and money saving too$
Here we go!
Down to the end of your facial potions, body lotions, hair products, bath and shower gel,arthritis gel or toothpaste tube?
Think again there’s still a lot left in that tube!!! Really! I always keep a pair of scissors in my bathroom or studio and you’ll want to do this too.
Simply squeeze the tube and cut it in half all across. What you will have is a few days, a few weeks worth or even longer of product to dive in and still use.
Love a brush from a mascara or brow gel you purchased but didn’t love that mascara or brow gel ?
Save it and rinse it well with soap and water. Reuse the brush to apply a mascara you love or tinted brow gel you like more.
Or to tame those unruly brows.
Broke a makeup compact, face bronzer, powder blush or powder eyeshadow?
Pick up the product off the floor or your makeup bag and savor the rest of the product. DON’T throw it all out. I always keep empty jars on hand in different sizes. Then all you need is to apply them with a makeup brush. Pressed product formulas becomes loose. Still good!
Dropped or broke an Asian facial roller or eye roller on the floor?
Scoop up and throw away the broken pieces and salvage the roller if you can. Smooth out the bottom where it broke at the handle with a nail file or sandpaper so it’s not rough on your hand. Keep rolling on. Enjoy!
Run don’t walk with this tip the after Easter sales are waiting for you! Not only for your favorite Easter candies, but shop for the plastic Easter eggs! On SALE! Last year I snatched up a dozen colorful eggs for .17 cents a package.
You know what I use them for? I use them to hold my washed and clean beauty blending sponges. Works for travel and for your cosmetic bag depending on the size of your bag. Don’t buy an expensive holder. Try this! I’ve even turned on my makeup artist friends to this trick. Works like a charm!
Down to the end of a liquid foundation? Brow gel? Mascara? Or blemish potion? Add a dash of distilled or spring water to them. Not tap water! Doing this will give life to your product until you can replenish those products.
I sometimes use those facial makeup wipes in a pinch or sometimes use them when I travel. They are not really great for the planet 🌍 or your skin but if you like to use them… enjoy this tip!
I cut them in half and the package of towelettes lasts me even longer and saves $ money too.
It’s good to love ❤️ our Mother Earth and to repurpose, recycle and reuse. Use them to the last drop! Don’t waste! Enjoy them.
If you have a beauty or skin care question for me you can reach me via my website:
It’s already HOT in sunny Florida where I live. But other places are feeling summer not spring where they live. I see a lot of beach babes here already basking in the 🌞 sun and frying their hair & skin!
So, I thought I’d share a natural treatment mask you can do that is for the hair!
What you will need to do this mask:
My clients love this mask too. I like to share with them too!
1 ripe banana 🍌
1 tablespoon of olive 🫒 oil
1 teaspoon of local honey 🍯
I learned this recipe when I traveled to Italy. I love interviewing locals on their beauty secrets wherever I go.
Simply mash and mix all of the above in a small bowl. Stir well. It will be gooey a bit but so worth it!
I apply the mask with my hands and leave it on at least 15 minutes. Rinse well and shampoo with a little bit of shampoo. You don’t need to use cream rinse afterwards.
*FYI … If you want to tweak this recipe by adding more olive oil,a dash more of honey or half of another banana you can. If you want to do this on your husbands hair he will benefit from it too!
Olive oil does so much for the face & body! I love whipping up natural recipes in my beauty kitchen!
It was a cool rainy mist night in Florida last night for a change and the weather continued with cold rainy weather this Easter Day. I went for a walk. I hadn’t done that for awhile. Work and life got in the way.
But… I’m reminded how much I needed the escape and walk. Maybe you do too!
Walking and being outside with Mother 🍃 Earth 🌎 is so important even more these days.
Brighten your day in a healthy way. It doesn’t have to be long. Just 10 minutes helps. Nature offers us so much! A visual explosion of flowers and green. My palm trees outside my home or studio bring me so much joy.
Oh the beauty of fresh air! Taking a few deep breaths. Hold and release.
They say it can really lift our spirits and mood. I so agree! It makes me happy and my lungs happy too.
Reflecting and pausing to hear the happy birds chirping a tune. Hearing the leaves 🍃 in the wind. Smelling the wild flowers along the way. Even if it’s raining it can be a beautiful day.
I read where listening to just three minutes of the cheerful songs 🎶 of the birds in the daytime can stimulate the brains frontal lobe and increases the production of energizing beta waves. What’s not to love about that?
I have also read taking a short walk before you call it a night and get ready to wind down and go to bed… helps our bodies produce melatonin. Thus hopefully get a better nights sleep.
You don’t need to necessarily go to a park to walk. Your neighborhood will do.
You’ll more likely feel better and if you’re feeling a bit blue it will help you too. I know it’s hard to smile these days with so much coming at us in the news and in the world. But self-care needs to be at the top of your To Do list.
If you can’t get outdoors because of health reasons or you had to work today. Think that you are outside. Pretend you’re enjoying and walking outdoors. Your mind is a powerful tool.
The International Esthetics Cosmetics and Spa Conference always in the winter and right before spring.
It was cold weather outside (snow did not come our way although it threatens to) but a fabulous show inside this year.
It felt like the good old beauty show days. You know before Covid arrived! There were miles of aisles of skin care some tried and true brands like Repechage and FarmHouseFresh and many NEW brands have emerged. I could hardly get through the aisles as it was so crowded. It’s like Fashion Week but for beauty & skin professionals.
I taught a makeup class that was teaching the beauty professional makeup and skincare needs Just for MEN. The everyday guy!
Make-up Artists and esthetician’s from around the world 🌎 attend this PRO, beauty and spa business owners allowed only show. Our classes are filled with eager to learn attendees. They come to be inspired, learn and best of all shop the massive show floor.
As I quickly discovered at the show and back home in New York City, Spring into summer 2023 is all about healthy skin. And same goes for fashion too. Natural makeup allowing your skin to shine through and on the other side of the natural makeup rainbow 🌈 are some pretty bold hues. You can be soft and pretty one day and bold and beautiful the next. It all depends upon your mood.
I will design and show my clients a more natural look with a touch of pink, gold and rose gold metallics.
I will also encourage them to tone down ALL those steps to their skin care regime. Some girls and women are using so many products that I think their skin is getting so confused! Too many choices and they think they need it all. But they don’t.
“Fluffy” Brows are in! Microblading is in! Lip Blushing is in!
Waxing every part of the body seems to be in.
Tattoos are a part of a woman and man’s lifestyle now it seems more then ever! While it’s never been for me it has captured and attracted women, men and teens!
Permanent Makeup like “Lip Blushing” is hot right now over Botox. It’s amazing what it can do for a woman’s lips!
“Self-care” is on the rise. Finally we are taking the time to take better care of ourselves and try new things. Covid had something to do with that as we were forced to be home for a bit. I think that was the only good part about it.
So, think about your look for Spring or if you’re a beauty Pro what looks you want to show and create for your clients.
Spring is all about trying new things. Bloom 🍃 on into a new season of our lives!!
Those lips 👄 created by the one and only cosmetic make- up artist and photographer Vlada Haggerty! Born in Kyviv, Ukraine and now in Los Angeles. How lucky are we!
I’m shining a light on her work and this book! Her first and brand NEW book! I got a sneak peek before it launched.
“The Art of the Lips!” By an awesome makeup artist I discovered on Instagram! Her various artworks on a tiny palette like lips 👄 continues to amaze me!
253 pages of LIP Bliss! By now you may figured out how much I love ❤️ all things lips and 💄 lipstick!
Vlada’s work has quickly drawn attention and she’s been featured on TV shows, art shows, makeup campaigns, articles, magazines and is also sold around the world as wall art!
I love this book so much I featured it on a beauty segment I did on River City Live TV / WJXT here in sunny Jacksonville Florida. 😎
Her intricate designs are amazing!
Check her out on @vladamua on Instagram! she has over 650k+ followers!
Also if you love art and or in the world of beauty you need this book in your library or on your coffee table.
So in anticipation of its arrival I just bought myself a bouquet of flowers. Guys or gals you don’t have to wait for someone to buy you flowers …
TREAT Yourself and buy them yourself. They don’t have to be expensive! A small 💐bouquet can bring so much JOY!
These days they are available everywhere. Besides my local florist of farmers market I love the flowers 💐 from Trader Joe’s.
Another thing you can do is buy a potted plant 🪴 of flowers 🌸 with greenery.
Plant 🌱 some love ❤️ in your home decor!
Flowers “boost your spirits” just looking at them!
Add fragrance and color to your day with a floral bouquet! 🌺
Our days in Florida right now are cool in the 40’s and we’ve needed to bundle up and cozy up with heat or by our fireplace. It had been dreary rainy days but the sun is shining brightly today.
So, I’m treating my rooms to a spring flower in a bud vase bathrooms.
Then separating more of that bouquet 💐 in vases or pots around the kitchen, living room and dining room.
Things have changed so much since the pandemic began. Men are diving into the beauty pond and has awakened them to take better care of themselves. Self-care is now becoming a part of their lives.
I’m getting ready to guest speak and explore all things beauty and fashion. It takes a lot to put a class topic and concept together but I love what I do. This year my topic is on male makeup and skin care.
It’s always a new adventure working and playing in New York City. It fuels your creativity and motivates you like no other city. The hustle and bustle is the heart of the city. The city truly never sleeps!
Are you a makeup artist, esthetician, plastic surgeon,dermatologist, own a spa or medical spa?
Chinese New Year is here and I have been enjoying celebrating. Food, family and time to reflect on our lives. It is also a time to open our hearts and spirit to attract and welcome good health, prosperity, happiness and overall year round good luck.
Did you know for the Asian people its not just about a one night NYE 🎊 🥂 🍾 celebration it’s a 15 day affair. They really know how to party and so much more! Family is the core of the festive and food filled celebration.
I am happy to be a part of the culture!
Red lanterns and lots of gold decor are abound.
Since I am an all American girl who happens to be of Chinese AND Polish descent. I celebrate it in my own way too! I love spreading the word and supporting small mom and pop businesses too. Eating, sipping or fun shopping Chinatown’s in USA and beyond are my happy place.
I love to explore
Now in beauty there are a few points of interest you might like to know.
No hair cutting or washing on New Year’s Day. Some prefer not to take a bath or shower as they don’t want to wash prosperity and luck away. The Chinese character for hair is the same as the first character in the word prosper. That is why they do this still to this day.
This festival time RED 💋 lipstick 💄 is a must especially if they wear lipstick. As you may know some Asian women prefer no lipstick. It just depends on their style. Red is a fire color. Sure to bring in your good luck and prosperity.
Bold colored fashions or hues of red (solo) in their outfits are worn to celebrate too!
My favorite part of celebrating is eating. Chinese Dumplings 🥟 are eaten and devoured with glee. The more the merrier! As they believe the luckier and more prosperous you’ll be in the new year. Fingers crossed🤞
The shape of these dumplings 🥟 resemble pieces of gold. Symbolizing wealth.
I hope you enjoyed these small bites of interest, food plus beauty on Chinese New Year. 🧨🧧🐇
Life, Lipstick, & Glowing Skin 