Tropical Paradise..... on a budget

I’ve been fantasizing about a trip to Bali, Indonesia, a Hawaiian holiday or a getaway to any tropical paradise. Since I can’t take the time off now, I conjured up a dreamy substitute from my memories of a past Thailand vacation. Here’s how you can duplicate the experience too: Start by putting 2-3 cans of coconut milk into the tub. Stand in the bathtub of coconut milk and your feet will get extra softening time. Exfoliate your skin as the water fills up the bathtub. I used Soothing Touch’s Mango Ginger Brown Sugar Scrub, but you can make your own scrub at home by adding olive or sunflower oil to brown sugar. For an extra delightful zing include mint, ginger or any citrus essential oil. Use your senses to recreate a blissful experience. Think of the brown sugar as sand on your skin. Slowly sink your whole body into the coconut water and soak. Imagine the warmth of the summer sun as you feel the heat around you. Smell the aroma of delight, visualize the beautiful ocean with three shades of blue. Let go of any stress. Flower petals in the bath and eating fresh fruit are optional. Follow your soak with a moisturizer that continues the island theme. I recommend Papaya Nectar Body Icing by ME! Bath. This body cream is infused with 20% shea butter. The scent complements the other fragrances. If possible, finish by putting on lounge clothes and curling up with a good book. Indulge your body and soul in this blissful journey as needed.

Word of caution: Be careful this is addictive.

Practical word of caution: Be careful, the bathtub may be slippery. Don't use too much lotion or your skin will be greasy.

Spring Fling with flirty lashes!

So far we’ve learned how to have beautiful brows, luscious lips, and engaging eyes. Now it’s time for a spring fling with flirty lashes. In old Hollywood movies the female character would bat her eyelashes at the leading man and he would instantly be smitten with her. The saying “to bat your lashes” or “bat your eyes” is from an era when false eyelashes were said to have made eyes look like bats flying. Thankfully false eyelashes have improved along with other eyelash products that make your eyes beautiful. When it comes to the eyes, eyelashes can make or break a look. Some people are just born with lengthy lashes and others (like me) fall short. We have more eyelash products on the market today than we could have imagined. Let’s start with the basics. You need a good eyelash curler. When I used my first eyelash curler it was an eye opening experience—literally. Since I come from a tiny-eye-heavy-upper-lid family I need all the help I can get. The curler gives the illusion of longer lashes and lifts the eye. Most people don’t use an eyelash curler and the ones who do don’t use it correctly. Before you curl your eyelashes you should make sure that you remove all your eye makeup. Eyelash curlers work best on clean eyelashes and curling eyelashes with mascara can cause them to break off. Don’t squeeze too hard or crimp the lashes straight up, rather give an upward curl to the lashes. Start by pressing lightly at the base for about 10 seconds and then work the eyelash curler gently up the lashes. Never pull the curler away from your face when it's closed on your lashes. It may result in loss of eyelashes. If you are having trouble or not happy with your eyelash curler try a new style. The Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler is considered the gold standard in eyelash curlers.
You may prefer an easy grip handle, if so Tarte Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler might be for you.
Do you travel or need a compact eyelash curler? Sephora Collection "Go Curl" Eyelash Curler takes up half the space of an average eyelash curler.
It is so small that it can fit into your coat pocket or the tiniest clutch. One of the newest tools for eyelashes is the Japonesque Precision Eyelash curler. With this curler you can curl a few lashes at a time for more accuracy and get to the inner lashes that give you a more meticulous curl.There are also eyelash curlers that heat up the competition. Literally, with the touch of a button the Blinc Heated Lash Curler warms up and is placed underneath the lashes for a gentle curl without any pinching.

Talika also makes a Heated Eye Lash Curler. The temperature sensitive silicon pad changes color when it is ready to use.
Here's a money saving tip: you can make your current eyelash curler into a heated eyelash curler for extra oomph. If you own a plastic eyelash curler you can put the hair blow dryer on you curler for a few seconds to warm it up before you curl your lashes. Do not try this with a metal eyelash curler because you can burn yourself. If you have a metal eyelash curler just hold it under warm water for a few seconds. Dry it off before curling your lashes, so that you don’t ruin the rest of your makeup. Take charge of your lashes and curl girl curl!