Winter Weather Beauty Rituals

During the winter months it's extremely important to treat your skin and body with tender, love, and care! We shouldn't have to blame winter for dry skin and hair during this time...we can do something about and it's simple!!

I know that with all the rain and cold weather it can create new challenges to beauty care so I have found a few rituals that help keep my skin and hair healthy and glowing throughout the season!!

AND they are soooo easy and inexpensive!! my favorite :)

1. Moisturize to the Tenth Power
Conditions are drier in the winter, so you need to over moisturize during these months! Maybe switch to heavier creams, changing different formulas even in the same product line can rejuvenate your skin instantly :) Apply lotion within 3 minutes of getting out of the shower, it helps seal in all the moisture!

If you use a certain product or line of products on the regular, your skin adjusts to it and makes it less effective! Try switching from your normal product to a different one for a couple weeks, then switch back! You may notice better results :)

Look for products with alpha-hydroxy acids, such as glycolic and lactic acids, they help reverse dry skin at a deep level!

Try Hope in a jar by Philosphy $38 or Vaseline Cocoa Butter Deep Conditioning Lotion $7.99

Also, if clay-based masks are part of your routine make sure to use masks featuring moisturizing and conditioning ingredients designed for dry skin, especially during the winter!

Try Canus Nature All Natural Moisturizing Clay Mask $15.99

SN: Indoor heat sources, like space heaters can dry up moisture in the air and can even draw moisture from your skin! Try using a humidifier to put moisture back into the air :)

2. Sun Protection
Just because it's cold and cloudy doesn't mean UV rays just disappear! It's especially important to continue routine sun protection throught the fall and winter. Use a sunscreen or moisturizer that contains atleast a SPF 15, during the winter I normally use Aveeno's Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15.

Retails at $14.99

SN: For my ski bunnies or if you're visiting higher altitudes this season, up your SPF! The higher you are the closer the sun is! Aveeno makes facial lotions up to SPF 30 :)


3. Lip Service
Chapped lips are a staple of winter weather! The worse thing you can do is lick your lips to give them moisture, it only dries them out more! Look for lip balms with SPF 15 and with ingredients such as beeswax, aloe, and vitamin E for moisture.
Apply faithfully throughout the day!

I use Carmex Moisture Plus Ultra Hydrating Lip Balm..it has Vitamin E and Aloe with SPF 15 and I think it's like less than $2

SN: After your brush your teeth, brush your toothbrush gently over your lips to exfoliate and give your smoother, sexier lips :)


4. Inside Out
Extra vitamins are must during the winter! All the germs and viruses, like the flu! are going around..ew! So ultimately our immune system gets weaker, therfore more vitamins!

Always take a multivitamin year long but during November-March, add more vitamins, such as vitamin D, which can "cut your risk of getting the flu by 40-74 percent" says healthiertalk.com  and drink tons of water (it moisturizes from the inside out)

I use CVS brand supplements, just because they always have buy one get one free specials and you can get prescribed like super supplements from your doctor!

My most favorite adult multi-vitamin, that caters to my inner child is CVS Daily Gummies, they come in fruit flavors and I literally have to stop myself from eating them like candy :/

Retails for $6.99

SN: Eat dark green leafy veggies..like broccoli, asparagus, collard greens, and romaine lettuce :) They help to prevent dry skin!

5. Winter Hair
I get split ends faithfully every winter! Not to mention the dry scalps from the cold weather!

Avoid overwashing your hair and overusing hot hair dryers (use your cool setting), flatirons, and/or curling irons.

Deep conditioning atleast once or twice a month is pure love for your hair...use products for damaged hair even though your hair may not be damaged, it's always good to treat it in advance ;)

Try Burt's Bees Hair Repair Shea & Grapefruit Deep Conditioner $8 or Garnier Fructis Fortifying Deep Conditioner 3 Minute Masque $5.49

Once or Twice a week hot oil treatments will help seal in extra moisture, use products with olive oil, coconut, or jojoba oils.

My Fabulous DIY Hot Oil Treatment 
- Equal Parts Olive Oil and Canola Oil, like 2-3 tablespoons but you can mix in different oils of your choice, maybe jasmine oil or coconut for smell!
- Warm the oil in the microwave, hot enough to handle
- Apply the oil into damp hair, working it into your scalp and every strand! I usually comb through after just to make sure I have even coverage :)
- Warm a towel in the dryer for like 10-15 minutes and then wrap your hair for about 30 minutes
- Rinse your hair and shampoo but don't condition!

I think that's literally a $25 salon treatment for like less than $2.00...love it!!


SN: WEAR A HAT..it should be a staple in your winter wardrobe!

I heart these for winter...

I Vote Purple

LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!
I am obsessed with the new purple nail polish pallettes this season! Not just because it's my most favorite color of all time but because you can't go wrong with purple! It's sexy, mysterious, provocative!! It has a moody, chic vibe and makes me personally feel pretty badass when I'm wearing it :)

Try it in a metallic or dark violet....LOVE IT!!

Where do I Shop?

I always get asked this question and I can never answer the question the way it is intended..so here they are and the reasons I love them :)

1. Forever 21
Cheap, & Trendy

2. H&M
Fashion Forward designs, Reasonable Prices

3. Asos.com
UK based store with AMAZING clearance prices

4. Old Navy
JEANS! JEANS! JEANS! They always have those great sales!

5. Thrift Stores
I go here for speciality pieces, things to add to my wardrobe, such as jewelry, a vintage blouse, shoes, etc.
In the Charlotte Area, try Goodwill, Value Village, and The Sleepy Poet....

Top 10 Fall 2010 Curvy Fashion Trends

The first thing to know about looking fabulous this fall is to know your size and how to dress it! Appreciate your curves, dress to fit them, and let our your sexiness!
So here are my Top 10 Fall Must Haves for us curvacious ladies...enjoy :)

1.       Fitted Cardigans

            Don't make the mistake in wearing baggy, oversized cardigans. Wearing clothing that's too big is actually making you appear heavier. Instead, go for a fitted cardigan that buttons right under your chest & above your belly button.

2.      Dark Colored Pants

            These should be your best friend year round but are especially chic during the Fall/Winter months. Focus on the details!! Large back pockets will take off about 10lbs from your backside!

3.      Scarves, Scarves, Scarves!

           They are my FAV-O-RITE!! They are the perfect addition to pull any outfit together and to add extra warmth. Use them as a way to add color to darker outfits..go with colors that enhance your hair color, make-up, and skin complexion.

4.      A-Line Silhouettes

           This sihouette is perfect for full figures, it's the ulitimate camoflauge! The hemline stops at the smallest part of the leg and is them same width as the hip which gives a slimmer overall appearance! A skirt or dress that sinches at the waist with a fuller bottom is what you're looking for!

5.     Animal Print Accessories

          GRRRR!! I love animal prints! Just be careful because they pull attention to where they are placed, make sure you are adding them in places you want to flaunt! If you have a great waist, use a belt! If you have good legs, wear a fabulous shoe! A scarf is a great way to wear this trend!

      Just remember, wear them where you want people to notice them!

6.     Structured Tops    
          Tops with no shape make you appear shapeless and sometimes boxy. Chose tops that have darts or seeming just below the bust or around your natural waist line to provide structure and accenuate your curves.

7.    High Heels (The Miracle Worker)

        High Heels will never do you wrong! Wear them, wear them all the time! They make your legs look long and lean, and who doesn't want that?  If you want to maximize the effect, then wear monochromatics like black leggings with black booties.
      A chunky heel will give better support and more comfort :)

8.    Jeggings

        These are a big fall trend, they look like jeans but feel like leggings! Be careful on how you decide to style these though, rock them with a flowy top that falls to your hips with a wide belt around your wasit and mid-calf boots.

9.    Slouch Boots

          I know it can be such a pain trying to find cute mid-calf, high-calf boots for us ladies, but they are out there! Without having to find ways to stretch them, look for slouchy boots! They provide a little bit more wiggle room and easily camoflauge bigger calves. Don't always go for the flat boot, try one with a heel too!

10.   Wide-Leg Pants

           I think I may the most excited about the wide-leg pant coming back! A denim trouser is my heart & soul! Although the skinny jean is still here to stay, many of us should avoid a tapered ankle. Try a wide-leg trouser in fall colors such as camel, chocolate, denim, or basic black.

Retro Rival

I am a big fan!!!!!

The retro-inspired hairstyles seen on the Fall 2010 runways rocked my world! The soft 30s curls at Dior and the 1950's Rock-a-billyesque pompadour at Fendi are AMAZING! Not to mention the fashion..omgee!! Chloe's glamourous o

Vintage and Retro are coming back and here to stay! and I'm so exciteddd...

My personal fav?

The classic ponytail! Louis Vuitton brought the classic 50's pony back (Just like Sandra Dee) for their Fall 2010 collection and I am in love!

So chic, effortless, and timeless!

Not to mention, EASY!!

This Fall 2010 campaign really deserves it's own post so it may come later ;)

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!