She's Back!!!!! DIY Videos Made For You

It's been a long time coming, but I am back--again! New Year, New Goals, same flawless skin!!

I will be updating this blog weekly with Do-It-Yourself videos on natural skincare, hair care, and beauty reviews. If I fall off again due to life... catch these videos HERE: https://www.youtube.com/ausbos

Check out my latest DIYs below: 

  

xoxo

Step Into Fall with Great Skin! (DIY: Shea Butter Lotion)

It’s about that time ladies (and gents)!! We are slowly transitioning over to sweaters, scarves, and cough medicine. :-( Soon the burning sun rays will be dimming down and the frostbites will be rolling in. I am a Winter baby, however I do not enjoy any weather below 65 degrees; as anything lower than that makes me feel as though my limps may collapse and my skin is turning into sand paper.

The only way to combat dry winter skin is to keep it nourished during those cold months. Just like your body needs water to stay hydrated, your skin needs emollients and oils to stay moisturized. The best way to fight the effects of the cold is by purchasing skincare (and makeup) products that have more oils and butters in the ingredients. Look for items that include: aqua (water!), glycerin, shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, vitamin e; and natural oils such as: grape seed oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, argan oil, and sunflower oil. These ingredients naturally condition the skin and lock in moisture without clogging your pores. 

Stay away from mineral oil and petroleum (yes, put that Vaseline down!) as these ingredients clog pores, cause breakouts and just sit on top of your skin.

If you would like to create your own moisturizing lotion, try using these simple ingredients:

½ Cup boiled Shea Butter

2 tablespoons Vitamin E Oil

1 tablespoon Glycerin

1 teaspoon Jojoba Oil (you can substitute for another natural oil)

1 Cylinder container

1 Wooden spoon

1 Ice-cream scooper or Metal Spoon

1.  Scoop your shea butter (you can add more for a creamier mix) into a cylinder shaped microwave-safe
   
   container with a clean ice-cream scooper or metal spoon.
2.  Boil 1-2 cups water in a pot. Turn off the heat after water is thoroughly boiled. (For best results, temperature should be between 140° and 160° Fahrenheit.)
3. Place the container with the shea butter inside the pot, but be sure the water does not spill into container. (View picture to right)
4. Stir the shea butter with the wooden spoon as it begins to melt in the container. When it is thoroughly melted remove it from the pot.[This process allows the shea butter to melt properly without the use of microwave radiation.]
5. Mix the vitamin e oil, glycerin, and jojoba oil into the shea butter.
6. Monitor the melted butter mix. As it begins to solidify, use the wooden spoon to whip the butter into a creamy mix. Do this step again after 15 mins to achieve your desired smoothness.
7. Scoop the mix into your desired lotion container or jar.(View below image)
8. Cover and let sit until it has cooled down.
9. Use as often as needed. Shelf life is 2 years.

Taking great care of your skin; especially during cooler months, keeps it looking replenished, young, and supple. You can use this mix on your lips and hair as well. Now go out there and enjoy the last few days of summer weather—as we know the official start of Fall has begun!on today!!

Stay Warm!

DIY :: BOOST Your Foundation For The Best Night Ever!

If you are like me, then you know how important it is to make sure your foundation (no not the one you buy at a counter, but your beautiful SKIN!) is clean, refreshed and ready for the day ahead, or at least for the makeup beat that ensues! Everyone needs to deep clean their skin at least four times a year, especially when the seasons change. Who really wants to bring Winter’s dry skin cells into Spring anyway? Facial masks get rid of all that clogged up gunk, oil, blackheads, and dead skin cells so you can start the day, week, or year off fresh! Depending on the ingredients, facial masks are designed to cleanse, tighten, exfoliate, or moisturize the skin.

I like to start my week off with a homemade facial mask every Sunday evening using ingredients from my own kitchen. They cost next to nothing, and I get two for the price of one by using items I already have stocked in my cabinets. You would think I am a Grade-A chemist by the time I lay out my products and start mixing up my concoctions. Some of you may be thinking: why not just go buy a mask or book an appointment for a facial instead of creating your own? Well, I can certainly go spend anywhere between $20-$90 on a mask, or I can create a natural mask made just for me using simple ingredients. I mean do you really know what they put into those store masks anyway, and who doesn’t like to be pampered in the comfort of their own home?

Now let’s jump right into these “Do-It-Yourself” homemade masks! Remember, before you apply a mask, always wash your face with warm water and a cleanser.

Exfoliating Mask:

10 Makeup Artist Secrets

Have you ever wondered how the pros get it perfect every single time? They're certainly not special gifted aliens! It took hard work and of course cutting corners with some tricks of the trade. If you are like me, then you want to know how to look your best, and look as great as the professionals. Well I came across some makeup artists hacks that use these simple tricks to kill a beat (aka do makeup really good)!

1. Let glue dry on strip for 30 seconds before applying false lashes. This allows glue to become tacky and stick faster, instead of watery which can spread into your eye and take longer to dry.

2. White liner on the water line of your eyes creates the illusion of bigger eyes, where as dark liner creates smaller eyes.

3. Use a white primer or eye pencil on your lids before you apply eyeshadows to make the colors pop and last longer. To minimize creases, dust your lids with powder before the primer.

4.  No one likes black raccoon eyes. To keep black (or any color) eyeliner from running, apply loose powder right under the liner to set it and keep it in place. Sometimes I apply light translucent powder on top of the liner to keep it from running on my bottom eyelids.

Banish Cellulite Now!

Tired of stubborn cellulite that doesn't allow you to show off those legs with pride? Well there's a non-surgical solution to that problem. All you need is a few extra minutes in the morning and a brush!

Dry brushing is an old-age secret to healthy, supple, and hydrated skin. Due to our fast-paced modern ways, people don't want to spend extra time doing something they do not deem necessary. However, dry brushing only takes a few minutes of your time, and the benefits are worth it. 

Dry Brushing eliminates the need to use a moisturizer because it stimulates the circulatory system, rids the body of toxins, and brings nourishment to the skin from the blood. Exfoliation as a whole removes dead skin, and allows the body's natural oils to surface to the skin. Try dry brushing your skin at least once a week with a natural-fiber brush in the morning before you take a shower, and your skin will be soft and moisturized.

 How to dry brush:

1. Make sure your skin is dry and the shower is not on. Use your DRY natural brush (with a handle for easy gripping) in the tub and start from your feet going upward towards the heart (blood circulates better this way).
2. Brush with 6-10 quick long strokes towards the heel, then up each leg and thigh. Do not go back and forth because that defeats the purpose of dry brushing.
3. As you go up your body, brush your knees, elbows, hips, glutes, and stomach in circular motions. This is very important if you have cellulite as this tightens skin and promotes cell renewal.
4. You do not need to brush your chest or neck since they are the thinest parts of your body, other than your face of course. You can use a loofah or sponge for these areas.
5. After brushing, wash your skin with warm water and a vegetable-based bar soap to cleanse and hydrate your skin. Rinse off with cooler water to close pores and keep skin from drying out. 
6. Clean your brush with antibacterial soap and allow it to hang dry. I spray mine with a mist of alcohol after washing to kill the germs that rubbed off with my dead skin.

Tips: Skin should be stimulated, not irritated or red from dry brushing. Your knees, elbows, and heels are the toughest part of your skin, so be sure to scrub those areas really well in the tub, especially if you have discoloration. Apply a brightening serum or gel on these areas before your moisturizer if you need to lighten them up a bit.

Happy brushing!

DIY :: 10 Beauty Hacks Using Household Products

We all want beautiful hair, clear skin, white teeth, and the list goes on. Better yet, we all want those things without spending an arm and a leg to get it. Well, I did some digging and there are tons of homemade or household products you can use without burning your wallet. There is nothing better than "two for one", like using that olive oil for your salad, and as a hair moisturizer. Take a look at 10 beauty hacks using household products:

1. Olive Oil - This is one of the healthiest oils to use for cooking, eating salad, and moisturizing your hair or skin. The emollients in this oil lock in moisture and keeps hair shiny and soft. I tend to use this oil on my ends because they are the driest part of my hair, and it can be a little too heavy for my scalp. 
2. Starch (for Ironing) - Now I have never tried this one, however, I have read some articles online about hairstylists running out of dry shampoo and using this instead. I would assume it could be used as a holding spray too, but there is only one way to find out. Let me know how this works for you!
3. Dryer Sheets - Not only does it take the static out of clothes, and make them smell good, but it can also be used to remove static from hair. Just run a sheet over your dry hair to eliminate static electricity.

DIY :: Charcoal To Whiten Teeth?!?

So I have become a pinterest fanatic, and with that obsession has come the desire to try out everything I see on there. My latest craze has been oral hygiene and ways to make my smile brighter so it lights up a room. While searching on pinterest, I came across a few posts on using activated charcoal to whiten teeth.

Now, why would I go and buy something that will make my teeth as black as, well... charcoal? Well I love DIY projects, and this just seemed too crazy not to try. The proof is in the pudding because I tried it myself, and here are my results:

Five Min Beauty Boost

A quick facial mask can revitalize your skin, and help assist the epidermal layer in getting rid of dead skin cells much faster than a daily facial wash. A good mask can improve the look and feel of your skin and leave you with instant gratification. All you need are a few extra minutes. 

Quick Facial:

Makeup Brushes Cause Bad Skin

Imagine thousands of bacteria organisms living and breeding on your makeup brushes. Then imagine your

carefree self placing these brushes in your makeup, and on your face. YUCK!

That's exactly what is happening when you leave brushes unclean and full of gunk from weeks of makeup build-up. Bacteria gets into your pores, and you begin to see blackheads and breakouts. Follow these simple steps to effectively clean your makeup brushes.

Using Brush Cleaner spray:

1. Soak bristles of brushes (one at a time) with your spray

2. Grab a paper towel and gently rub the brushes back and forth until there is no more product on the brush.

3. Reshape the bristles with your fingers and let air-dry on a clean napkin, while laying them down.

This should clean and dry your brushes in minutes.

Using Baby shampoo (or Organic cleaner):

DIY: The Perfect Nutritional Smoothie

We've all heard the saying, eat an apple a day to keep the doctor away. However, most people can't find the time or patience to sit there and eat an apple.

Hence why smoothies, juicing, and throwing fruits in water is at an all time high. Fitness has taken over, and not many people want to be fat, or even feel like they are tipping over the average size for their age and height. Well, welcome to the new age of body wraps, waist cinchers, fat burning pills, and all that good stuff. Oh and of course the countless gym gurus and #Gymlife selfies add to the motivation to take better care of ourselves.

For those of us who want to start off with the basics, or are just lost on how to get the best out of a great tasting smoothie (or juicing), then follow these steps for a nutritional boost in your immune system --- and day!

1. CHOOSE YOUR GREENS - This will give your smoothie a solid nutritional boost and keep you going throughout the day.

KALE
SPINACH

SWISS CHARD

COLLARD GREENS

BEET GREENS

DIY: Smokey Eyes

So I've been dibbling and dabbling in makeup lately. I've always done my own face very well (give me 1 hour and watch me beat my face to the gawds!), however I am still learning how to do other faces and most importantly; eyeshadows.

My pinterest inspiration

Doing eyes properly takes skill, precision, and a few great brushes. I have always been a fan of intense eyes through the use of dark eyeshadows and black eyeliner. I seriously can't go anywhere without my black liner. So it was only right that I put my latest pinterest obsession and skills to the test by attempting a super dark smokey eye on my model below.

DIY: Steps to Whiter Teeth

Tired of using expensive remedies to make your teeth whiter and brighter? There are a few home-made mixes that can help you get that smile you've always wanted. Here's my favorite mix that ensures that my teeth look just as great as my smile!

Steps to WHITER TEETH:

DIY: Take Care of Aching Feet

Working long hours, or commuting on foot, can wreck havoc on your feet. After all the torture we place on our delicate toes, we tend to forget how important it is to take care of our marching soldiers. The more you ignore your feet, the worse they become, and eventually they'll give you a reason NOT to ignore them any longer.

We tend to pay more attention to our hands, and nails because it's one of the first things people see, and of course you can't hide them as well as you can hide your feet. It is really important to take good care of them, and pamper them from time to time. 

You can easily go to a spa or nail salon to have a trained professional take care of your feet. But I am here to give you a few at-home remedies to whip those pods back into shape (or at least show them a little love). 

Home Remedy 1:

1/2 Cup Sea Salt

Juice from 1/2 a Lemon

1-2 teaspoons olive oil

Basin (big enough to rest feet inside or do this in the tub using a small bowl to mix)

DIY: Lemon & Sugar Face Scrub

Lemon & Sugar Face & Body Scrub

Ingredients:

• 1/2 of a fresh lemon
• 1/2 cup of  sugar 
• 1 Tbsp of olive oil
• 1 Tbsp of organic honey [optional]
• 1 bowl with lid for storage

Directions:

•  Add lemon juice and olive oil in to a bowl and mix together. Add the honey and whisk or stir quickly until the ingredients bind together into a medium thick consistency.  Add in the sugar and mix. If you sense that there is not enough sugar to get the scrubbing done, add a bit more.This is purely up to personal preference.

DIY Homemade Nourishing Hair Conditioners

It's so easy to care for your thirsty dry stresses in this winter weather by using home-made deep conditioners. You can find these items in your kitchen cabinet, or hit up your local grocery store. Watch the video below for step-by-step instructions on keeping your hair moisturized all year round.



Here are some other at-home hair conditioners:

1/2 Ripe Avocado
1 tablespoon Olive oil
1 egg
* Mash (or blend) the avocado with the olive oil and raw egg. Spread throughout your hair, focusing on your ends. Cover with a shower cap for 30 mins. Rinse with cool water, then shampoo with a nourishing shampoo.  Deep condition after for maximum nourishment.

I Can't Stop Breaking Out!

Pimples, bumps, acne, blemishes --- call it what you want, but its annoying and needs to stop making appearances on my face! I have moments when I break out after months of clear skin, and I get so upset that I attack my face with every force imaginable. The down side to this is: DARK MARKS for months! :( There is nothing fun about pimples, and there is certainly nothing amusing about having dark marks and scars on your delicate face for what seems like an eternity. They just don't want to go away. Here are 4 at-home remedies for getting rid of pimples, and tips to keep them far away!

Note: Always make sure hands are clean and face is washed with a good oil-free cleanser. After doing the steps below, apply an oil-free moisturizer (don't forget your SPF if going outside).

- 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/2 cup warm water
*Mix together and apply to face with a cotton ball (or Q-tip on blemish)
----------

- 2 drops tea tree oil
- 1/2 cup milk
* Mix together and apply to face with a cotton ball. Rinse off after 10 mins.
----------

- 1/2 cup warm water
- 2 drops tea tree oil

DIY At-Home Skincare Remedies

Nothing beats at home remedies that can do the trick as well as store bought products. From exfoliating masks, to pimple busters, its great to be able to use the items right in your kitchen to cure these problems. Its cheap, simple, and fun to create your own skincare solutions!!

CHAPPED LIPS
Mix a dime size of honey and sugar in the palm of your hand. Mix together with finger and gently use this to scrub dead skin from your lips for about 30 seconds. Rinse or remove with warm damp wash cloth. Can also be used on the body.
Alternative: Burt's Bee Lip Balm, Cocoa Butter Lip Balm, Kiehl's Lip Balm


FLAKY SKIN
Rub half of an apple on skin to even out texture. Mix sugar and water to create a paste. Massage gently on your skin. Rinse or remove with warm damp wash cloth.
Alternative: Benefit Peel and Polish, Elizabeth Arden Eight-Hour Cream, Palmers Cocoa Butter



INFLAMED / SENSITIVE SKIN
Soak a washcloth in milk, squeeze excess out then apply to affected area for 10-15 mins. Rinse off with warm water.
Alternative: Aveda Sensitive Line, Chamocare Light Therapy


PIMPLES

Home-made Facial Scrub

Fruits can surely come in handy. For a quick home-made facial scrub, follow these simple directions to remove dead skin and have a smoother face.

HOMEMADE FACIAL

1. 2 tablespoons of sugar
2. 2 tablespoons of honey (if you want a smoother paste, use more honey.)
3. Mix the sugar and honey until its well blended
4. Apply the mixture to your face and lips in circular motions for about 30 seconds
5. Wash off with warm water
6. Apply Moisturizer

To tone after honey scrub:

1. Apply lemon juice (NOT LEMONADE) to a cotton ball and wipe it all over your face. 
2. Wipe off excess lemon juice with warm towel
3. Apply Sunscreen Moisturizer 

This facial can be done once or twice a week. Lemon juice toner can be done daily after face washes. Discontinue use of lemons if face becomes irritated.

-xoxo

How To: Dye Red Hair Back To Black

Virgin Hair  (weave) woes... I dyed my virgin brazilian hair red, and now I want to dye it back to black. I saw this video on youtube, so I figured it may help someone else out too.  If your hair is damaged or very dry due to all the dyeing, I heard that the Silicon Mix conditioner is great. Will let you know how my DIY experiment goes. :)

Update: It worked perfectly. Not only was I able to dye my red hair back to black, but I also dyed my blonde bob back to black too! YAYY!



Let me know how it works for you!!

- xoxo