With Spring around the corner, it’s finally time to store away those heavy coats and jackets that take up way too much wardrobe space and get out the flowy, light-weight spring wear. We all love the vibrant colors and patterns that come with our spring wardrobe, and there is nothing better than completing that perfect spring look than with those all-important accessories. From a simple bracelet to a bold statement necklace, or show-stopping earrings - a piece of jewelry can be the perfect accessory to take your outfit to the next level. Here are some of the top jewelry trends to check out this spring and make that bold statement in the sun. Colorful stones Spring brings all the bright and vibrant colors we have been waiting for all winter. One of the best ways to show off these attention-grabbing tones is by wearing gemstone jewelry. Ranging in colors and designs, you are sure to find the perfect piece to complete your outfit. These beautiful gemstones come in all shapes and sizes - from simple stud earrings to larger sized bracelets and necklaces to wrap around your wrists and neck. They are the perfect accessory for this time of year, as the deep and bold colors reflect beautifully in the sun and can turn a simple spring dress into a show stopping evening outfit. Supersize hoops Hoops work on so many levels. Whether you’re going for the effortless, messy bun look or looking to add a bit of dazzle to a simple day dress, the right hoops can transform an outfit. There are so many hooped earring designs to choose from these days. There are thin, large hoops that are good for a day look, or smaller thicker hoops that are usually gold colored for both the day and evening look. There are even hoops with beautiful gemstones that can add color and vibrancy to your outfit. A statement ring Not only can a statement ring perfectly complete and complement your spring look, but it can also be a great conversation starter at any social event. In fact, an underrated piece of jewellery, like a statement ring, can sometimes make you look like a real “fashionista chic!“ It is also perfect for color coordinating your outfit and making sure there is a bit of matchy-matchy action happening. Whether it be with bold-colored shoes, or a certain print on your flowing skirt, an attention grabbing gemstone colored ring can hone in the whole look flawlessly. Pendant or charm Sometimes it's best just to keep it simple. With the harshness of winter finally gone, a loose chain with pendant is great to wear with any spring look. There are loads of plain designs to suit a colorful patterned dress, or if you would rather a bit of color to wear on a plain dress, then check out this range of gemstone necklaces. Still keeping it simple, but adding a sprinkle of tint. -- About the Author Maria [...]

Catherine McKenna shows you how to get the hottest looks for Fall! [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSzKkwDCFMo[/embedyt]

Learn the Secrets to Looking Your Best for a Night Out On the Town!   When it is time for your big event, you have to look and feel your best. Having a clear complexion and smooth skin is just one way that you can give your confidence a boost. Whether you are preparing for a wedding or a special night out, these tips will give you the radiant, soft skin that you need to complete your look. For the best results, start prepping your skin several weeks in advance. Your skin replenishes every month which means that everything you do to hurt your skin in the previous month can and does show up on the big night. Eating healthy and moisturizing your skin has to start right away. To get a head start, use the following tips. Two Weeks before the Big Day  For the ladies who think ahead, right now is the time for prepping the skin. Two weeks before the big event, you should exfoliate your skin once or twice. This will help to stimulate new skin cells to form and help to remove dead cells. In addition, make sure to moisturize and cleanse on a daily basis. Right now is also the time to test out any new makeup products, razors or shaving creams. You do not want to wait for the day before the event to try something out. If it does not work or causes a breakout, your pictures will be ruined. Even if you are not changing products, you should still shave or wax now. Both of these activities will help to remove the top layer of dead skin. To make the skin smoother, soak the hair for about three minutes before shaving. Afterward, you should make sure to use a good lotion or in-shower moisturizer on your legs. If you plan on using a self-tanner or tanning bed, this is the right time to prepare. Two weeks will give you an ample amount of time to develop the perfect self-tanner glow without leaving any streaks. To make your skin appear even darker, try whitening your teeth using an at-home treatment. Many of these treatments can achieve the maximum results within two weeks. One Week to Go With just one week left until the big day, your skin care needs to already have a healthy glow. The cheapest and best way to get your glow going is to drink plenty of water. Victoria’s Secret Angels normally drink several quarts of water a day before they hit the runway. By adopting this strategy and eating plenty of vegetables, you can ensure that your skin looks as refreshed as possible. If you were planning on getting a facial before your big event, a week beforehand is the perfect time. It allows the skin to truly glow, but also gives your face enough time to recover. While you get your facial, this is the ideal time to wax your eyebrows and [...]

Learn How to Make Your Own Natural Beauty Products!   Even people who are very choosy about what they eat don’t always think about what they are putting on their skin or in their hair for beauty treatments. Yet commercial beauty products are also full of harmful chemicals, many of which can be absorbed into the skin. There are, however, options for beautifying naturally just as there are for eating naturally. Below are 5 all-natural beauty products made from coconut oil. Makeup Remover Coconut oil is excellent for removing makeup at the end of the day. Simply apply it to the fingertips and rub it gently on the face and around the eyes, then wipe away with a cloth. It will leave the skin fresh and clean while also keeping it moisturized and soft. Natural Deodorant Most commercial brands of deodorant – even some that claim to be “all natural” – contain aluminum, and this has been linked to some forms of cancer. Fortunately, a homemade deodorant is easy to make by combining 2 parts baking soda and 2 parts cornstarch to one part coconut oil. The baking soda takes care of odor, the cornstarch keeps the armpits area dry and the coconut oil leaves it hydrated. Essential oils can be added for scent if desired. Toothpaste Making homemade toothpaste is simple as well by just mixing together equal parts coconut oil and baking soda with a few drops of essential oil of peppermint added for extra freshness. Baking soda is one of the best natural whiteners and is very good for overall oral health and the peppermint oil takes care of breath odors. Make sure to rinse the sink out after brushing, however, as coconut is solid at room temperature. Shaving Oil Shaving can sometimes leave skin with irritated red bumps or even minor bleeding. If this is a problem, consider using coconut oil as a shaving oil. To use, rub it liberally onto the skin, then shave as normal with a regular razor. It will moisturize and hydrate the skin and reduce the chance of irritation, leaving the legs soft and smooth. Body Butter For skin that has been dried out from warmth or sun exposure, a body butter made from coconut oil is a positively decadent way to moisturize it. While the coconut oil can be applied directly to the skin to hydrate it, making a butter by adding a favorite essential oil and whisking it into a light froth can really make for an indulgent after-shower treat for the skin! Natural beauty treatments for the skin, hair and face can help avoid contact with some of the harsh – and even dangerous – chemicals that unfortunately are common ingredients in many commercial beauty products, and because DIY products are nearly always cheaper, it can save a lot of money as well. https://www.naturalnewsblogs.com

Catherine McKenna shows you how to get baby soft skin by making your own sugar scrub! [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCZDgQKhUCk[/embedyt]

Use Evening Primrose Oil to Combat Acne!   Evening primrose (Oenothera speciosa) is fairly common in subtropical and temperate regions, but is often treated as nothing more than a wild flower found in roadsides and neglected fields.1 But while it is common, its various uses and applications remain to be unknown to a number of people. In earlier times, the evening primrose plant was a staple in the Native American diet, including the Cherokee, Iroquois, Ojibwa and Potawatomi. They boiled its roots and applied it as poultices to bruises and other injuries to speed up healing.2 It was eventually introduced to Europe in the 17th century.3 In current times, evening primrose is used to help alleviate pain and various skin conditions.4 Additionally, most parts of the plant can be incorporated in salads and other dishes to add flavor and color.5 The evening primrose plant is also the source of a valuable oil used in holistic medicine and cosmetics: evening primrose oil (EPO).6 Uses of Evening Primrose Oil Evening primrose oil is made from the plant’s seeds and is most commonly utilized as a supplement for oral administration. Some of the well-known uses for this oil include helping: • Minimize acne breakouts. A primary cause for acne is hormonal imbalance.7 Evening primrose oil can help regulate the production of hormones and prevent acne formation. The high amounts of fatty acids in evening primrose may also help dilute sebum, decreasing the risk of pore clogging. • Alleviate symptoms of psoriasis. Psoriasis is a skin condition that is often characterized by dry, itchy and inflamed skin. It is often linked to leaky gut, where the toxins that manage to penetrate the gut lining enter the bloodstream. These toxins may then influence the emergence of psoriasis symptoms.8 The high amount of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) in evening primrose oil can help lessen the inflammation in the gut lining and repair leaky gut. By taking evening primrose supplements, you can help treat psoriasis internally.9 • Reduce neuropathy in diabetes patients. In a 2014 study, it was found that supplementation of both vitamin E and evening primrose may be beneficial for easing diabetic neuropathy. After a year of supplementation, 88 percent of the individuals in the study noted a significant reduction in neuropathy pain.10 Health Benefits of Evening Primrose Oil Aside from the uses mentioned above, there are other health benefits you can get from evening primrose oil: • Anti-inflammatory. Evening primrose oil's anti-inflammatory properties can assist in alleviating rheumatism and other conditions stemming from inflammation.11 • May reduce the severity of multiple sclerosis (MS). In a 2013 study, it was found that hot-nature diet intervention with a combination of hemp seed and evening primrose oils may increase polyunsaturated fatty acids, which may indicate improvement in the body's plasma stores.12 A 2018 study showed that while evening primrose may not directly improve the quality of life as a whole, its administration may have an effect on cognitive function and vitality. The pain [...]

Catherine McKenna shows you how to get the best results from do-it-yourself waxing! [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOQZISyuGBM[/embedyt]

Did You Know Jojoba Oil Can Get Rid of Acne?   Jojoba oil, derived from the seed of a wood desert shrub which grows throughout the southwestern United States, is perfect for the beauty kit of someone who is not comfortable with the artificial dyes and scents of more processed products. It is both colorless and odorless, is easy to use and because of its increasing popularity, is readily available at most health food stores. Some of its benefits are listed below. Moisturize the Face Because it is rich in nutrients, this oil makes an excellent daily or overnight moisturizer and will keep skin soft and healthy. Apply around 6 drops for daily use, adding a little more if wearing it overnight for a moisture treatment. Conditioner the Hair If frizzy or dull hair or a dry scalp with dandruff is a problem, jojoba is the solution. This will rid the scalp of dandruff and leave the hair soft, shining and manageable. Cleanse the Face To use as a facial cleanser, simply apply the jojoba oil to the skin, let it set for several minutes, then rinse and pat dry. This is a quick and easy way to remove impurities from the skin that the jojoba has extracted from your pores. Minimize Scars Since jojoba is rich in Vitamin E, a natural skin healer, massaging this into the skin will help minimize scars and stretch marks. Its healing properties may even help the scars to gradually fade. Fight Acne Daily use of this oil can also help fight acne. Because of its antimicrobial prowess, jojoba can naturally kill of the bacterial growth which is the root cause of both acne and blackheads. Oil the Cuticles At home manicures and pedicures are more popular than ever and a great way to relax. When indulging, rub jojoba in to the cuticles as a great alternative to traditional cuticle oil. Moisturize the Feet Especially when wearing sandals or going barefoot in the summertime, make sure to rub some jojoba oil into the feet after a bath. This will help heal and soften any dried or cracked areas and make the feet smooth and attractive. Cure Fungal Infections Jojoba’s antimicrobial properties extend to fungus as well. This makes it an excellent natural treatment for Athlete’s foot and fungal infections of the toenail. Apply the oil to the affected area and it will quickly take care of the problem. Relieve Sunburn Jojoba oil has been used for centuries to treat many minor skin irritation, including sunburns and rashes. It will help speed up the healing process and can sometimes prevent skin peeling after a burn. Fight Aging of the Skin The anti-aging effects of this oil come from the fact that it is rich in antioxidants. Dabbing it around the delicate skin of the mouth, eyes and neck will help minimize fine lines and keep it looking younger. Above are just ten of the reasons why jojoba oil is the [...]

How to Avoid Toxins in Your Beauty Products   Imagine a beautiful model walking into an automotive store and buying a quart of motor oil, then proceeding to pour it on her hair and smooth it into her face and arms. That picture might seem silly, but how many beauty products contain the same basic ingredient used in cars? Plenty. In fact, many people might be surprised to learn that crude oil is the basis of everything from plastics to carpeting. Many people, however, might not like the idea that the same product used to make a plastic bag or run a car is also used in products like shampoo, soap, hairspray, and numerous cosmetics, from lip balm to mascara. Petroleum in beauty products goes by many names (mineral oil, paraffin wax, and petrolatum, just to name a few), and its pervasiveness is more widespread than one might think. There are many reasons to avoid petroleum in beauty products. Here are a few. For beauty: According to Newsweek, American women spend over $400,000 in their lifetime on beauty maintenance. This figure leaves little doubt that women (particularly those in America) are obsessed with looking beautiful. So why should these women avoid petroleum-based products? According to Kit Anderson, mineral oil (a petroleum product found in many beauty products) smothers the skin (the body's largest organ), making it impossible for it to breathe. In fact, because of the way mineral oil works, Anderson claims that mineral oil is a poor choice for beauty products for these reasons: It disrupts the way the body naturally detoxifies   It slows the rate at which cells are renewed, thereby damaging collagen, connective tissue, and elastin - all of which contribute to the way skin looks and feels   It results in skin that ages prematurely She also mentions that many beauty products are made with the purpose of moisturizing the skin, but petroleum products made as moisturizers ironically work against the skin by dehydrating it. For health: It's best to avoid petroleum-based beauty products for health reasons as well. For example, some products containing petroleum have been linked to an increased risk of cancer. In fact, National Geographic's Green Guide states that "petroleum distillates" are possible carcinogens, and so it's best to steer clear of products containing them. For the environment: From plastic exfoliating microbeads that end up contributing to the ever-growing plastic vortex in the Pacific Ocean to tales of creatures being found with indigestible plastic in their stomachs, what more reason does a person need to avoid petroleum products? Petroleum, in all its forms, is damaging to air and water and is best avoided. So what's a girl (or guy) to do? Fortunately, in this day and age, there are many health and beauty products that intentionally avoid using petroleum-based ingredients. A little research and time spent reading labels will help people find out what products have petroleum ingredients so they can avoid them. A little more time [...]

Catherine McKenna shows you how to rock an edgy hairstyle for fall! [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hekLARn-g9U[/embedyt]