Top Self-care Beauty Essentials For Men

Top self-care beauty essentials for men? Yep, you read right; it isn't only women who should have a beauty regimen. Men need to take care of themselves, too.  And guess what they are!

Times have changed as men are taking a lot more pride in their physical appearance. Just like they would not let their car or home become run down because of the lack of proper maintenance, men realize upkeep similar to their home is needed for themselves!

So if you are a man reading this or want to share with that special male friend in your life, continue reading on some top self-care beauty essentials for men.

Look At The Ingredients In Your Products
Before we start with some product suggestions, we want to point out that you want to be mindful of the ingredients. Yes, I know you may feel like you need a dictionary every time you look at the ingredient list. But an effective beauty routine doesn't have to be complicated.

For example, if you have sensitive skin, you want to stay away from products that have artificial fragrances and synthetics in them as these ingredients can cause your skin to become dry and irritated. Also, you want to avoid alcohol-based products as they tend to be overdrying.

These tips can also be applied toward purchasing any beauty product; read the label and remember that just because it smells good does not mean it is good for your body!

Implement A Skincare Routine
As I always say, men have skin too. And if you're a guy that merely washes your face with soap and water and think that counts as your skincare, it's time for you to reconsider your skincare game.

While I am not suggesting going out and purchasing all kinds of skincare products to have a successful regimen, it is essential to implement a routine with the right skincare products.

You see, the skin is our largest organ and performs many functions essential to staying healthy beside just looking good.  Simply put, the skin is our first line of defense against environmental factors. Meaning it serves as a barrier between our organs and the outside world.  So why wouldn't you do everything you can to guard this protective barrier?

A man's skin tends to be thicker than a women's; however, when it comes to grooming and beauty products, they are similar, apart from packaging and the scents used.   So without further ado, check out some of my top self-care beauty essentials for men.

Top 6 Self-care Beauty Essentials For Men

Exfoliation
Although shaving does exfoliate the skin, you want to make sure to add some additional exfoliation to help remove any impurities and dead skin cells. An excellent skincare approach is to exfoliate your face with a Sonic Cleansing device, like Michael Todd Beauty's Soniclear For Men, before a shave. This will allow you to get a tighter shave, which equals smoother skin. Also, cleansing and exfoliation before you shave will cut down on the likelihood of ingrown hairs.

Your Skin May Be Clean But Is Your Towel?
After shaving and exfoliating your face, it's best to pat dry with a clean towel, but is your cloth clean? Washcloths can become an ideal nesting place for mildew, bacteria, and more. The last thing you want to be doing it putting this back on your clean shaved face and opened pores. Yes, this may seem simple, but you must use a clean, fresh towel after each shave as aside from infections and blemishes, bacteria can cause inflammation, which can lead to premature aging! In lamen's terms a dirty towel can cause you to age quicker!!! NEXT...

A towel to consider is MUE. Do not let the name fool you. It is not just used to remove makeup.  One side is for erasing, meaning it removes all traces of dirt or makeup. The other side is for exfoliating. This bad boy is reusable, machine washable, & lasts 3 to 5 years.

The Wrong Water Temperature Can Age You
Do you know that feeling after a long day, all you can think about is a hot shower? Or even using hot water to shave with?  Well, newsflash, that hot water can cause premature aging!  WTH? Yep, while it may feel good, your skin is screaming at you as heat causes inflammation, which can break down collagen and elastin, making you age more quickly, and no one wants that, not even a man!

3 Steps, 3 Key Ingredients, 3 Minutes A Day Skincare Routine

The Power of Three + Full Spectrum Oil
Three powerful active ingredients, three simple steps, three minutes a day is all you need, now guys, how easy is that? Well, it is not a dream. It is a reality with the brand TreCeuticals.

For most men, dipping their toe in the world of skincare can be overwhelming, and TreCeuticals realizes this is the case for both men and women, which is why they have created a simple 3-step skincare routine that combines three highly effective active ingredients to exfoliate, hydrate, and smooth the skin. Plus, their secret sauce, which is CBD oil. 

3 Pharmaceutical Grade Skincare Ingredients

1. RETINOL Increases cell turnover, reducing fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, and pores while enhancing texture and tone.
2. HYDROXY ACIDS Smooth, brighten, and exfoliate your skin allowing new cells to emerge and create that youthful glow.
3. ANTIOXIDANTS Nourish, protect and rejuvenate your skin while reducing the harmful effects of free radical damage.

THE SECRET SAUCE:
FULL SPECTRUM OIL Known for its soothing and healing benefits, this CBD oil is sourced from certified organic providers.

The TreEssentials starter kit has everything you need to achieve a smoother, brighter, younger-looking skin, including...

• Priming Cleanser
• Infusing Hydrator
• Sunday Peel
• Everyday But Sunday
• Mist Me Baby
  

CicBeauty Ultrasonic Grooming Brush

This is a cool brush. I even have one that I use on my hair extensions and wigs, but men do not let that scare you as it is designed with men in mind  It is a perfect item to take when going on a business trip or to toss in your gym bag!

This grooming brush uses an ultrasonic spray technology with the choice of your favorite a.c.e. elixir to deliver precise tiny droplets that will penetrate deep into the cuticle of your hair—infusing your hair with moisture leaving it with soft and pliable touch.

It is also great for refresh of your hair style even second day hair without having to wash and style again. Because the grooming brush is designed to reactivate existing products in the hair without using heat (no hair damage)

Other Benefits:

• Boosts hydration
• Ensures your hair is free from frizz and flyaways
• Its massage feature stimulates your scalp and hair follicles.
• Light, portable, and rechargeable.
• Luxurious scent and great for on the go
  

Check out what is included in this grooming package kit:

• 1x Cic Beauty Brush
• 1x Mini a.c.e for Hydration and Shine
• 1x USB charging cable
• 1x Refill dispenser bottle

GET 40% OFF Grooming Package with Code: 
BARBIESBEAUTYBITS3

Shaving, Manscapping, And Other Hygiene Necessities
You want to make sure you are purchasing the right tools for the job, which goes for proper grooming. Not only does a man's sensitive area require it, hygiene demands it, and Manscapped is here to help with their "Performance" package.  

The Performance Package

This "package" includes premium formulations for the below-the-waist hygiene of the modern man. Plus, items like the "weed whacker" to help the other areas where there may be unwanted hair, like ears, nose. And for those unsightly back hairs, nipple hair, hairy bum, bush like balls, and more, the "lawnmower" can you help!

The Lawnmower To Remove All Unwanted Body Hair

This total-body trimmer can do everything you need at helping you to trim or get rid of that unwanted body hair!  And no worries you can easily remove the hair without scraping away a layer of skin, like you would with a razor, as it is designed to handle coarse and curly hair without tugs and pulls. And if you do their Crop Reviver, "The Ball Spray Toner" can cool, calm, and protect your family jewels after a good shave.

Kit Includes:

• The Lawn Mower™ 3.0 - skinsafe™ electric trimmer
• Crop Preserver™ - anti-chafing ball deodorant
• Crop Reviver™ - Ball Spray Toner
• MAGIC MAT™ - disposable shaving mats
• The Weed Whacker™ - ear & nose hair trimmer

Free Gifts:

•     The Shed - travel bag ($39.99 value)
•     Manscaped™ Boxers - anti-chafing boxers ($19.99 value)

All kidding aside, while this brand does use sophomoric humor in their advertising, they have taken a more open and confident male culture that results in guys being way more proactive around self-care and health. Hence, they've partnered with the Testicular Cancer Society 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to raise awareness about the most common form of cancer in men aged 15-35 and provide help and support to fighters and survivors, and caregivers.

Pearly Whites
In the world of selfies, social media, and more, people see a snapshot of your teeth, whether you want them to you or not. And while you may be brushing your teeth regularly, a smile is a lasting impression, and if you have discolored teeth, it can come across as a dirty mouth to others, just saying!

In case you did not know, your teeth can become stained from drinking coffee, smoking, even some types of food can stain your teeth. Hence you want to look for a product that contains baking soda and teeth whitener.

The cheapest place to start is with a whitening toothpaste. But I suggested taking it up a notch and try the Sparkle White Teeth Whitening Kit & Pen Combo.

Get this teeth whitener set for 90% OFF by Using Code: BARBIESBEAUTYBITS

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How To Get Beach Wavy Hair At Home

 

Get beach wavy hair at home? Tell me more! Yep, beauties, that is precisely what I am going to do. I love the beach wavy hair look, no matter the time of year. Those chic loose tousled curls look effortlessly, although they can be a bit difficult to achieve in reality. But fret no more as I am here to help you get those beautiful beach curls, minus the cost of going to a salon.

So if you are ready to have some beach'n looking hair, continue reading dudes, or should I say dudettes?

Have Patience
You have to be patient and have time to dedicate if you want your hair to look effortlessly. Kind of seems contractive, and yes, it is. Unless you already have some loose curls, the after the beach look is a myth for those everyday hair gals! Hence, you have to set aside at least an hour to do your hair; otherwise, it will be a hot mess! PERIOD.

Prep The Hair
You want to prep your hair with a volumizing product, which is why I recommend trying an all in one, like Bumble and Bumbles surf shampoo and conditioner. These products HELP to give you sea-breezy hair texture and extreme volume.

Next, I like to add a salt water-based styling surf spray that adds texture, volume, and hold for waves that mimic a fresh-off-the-beach look. You want to make sure your hair it damp, you do not want dripping wet hair when you are adding hair styling products to it. When applying you want start from the tips of your hair, scrunching your hair upwards with the palms of your hands.This is the start of shaping your waves.

Secondly,  while I love a surf spray, this product alone can be a bit drying and matte, so I also use CICbeauty's A.d.e.p.t. Complex hair serum with this!

Split Your Hair Into Sections
Remember how I said you need time to do this. It is because you have to do it in sections to get the achieved look, just like a salon that separates your hair from bottom to top, pinning the rest of your hair up and out of the way so they can style.  It would be best if you did the same at home.  Depending on the thickness of your hair, you need to do your hair in two-three inch sections.

Having The Right Hair Tools
Now that your hair is prepped and pinned on the head with the first section ready to go, you need to go for the right beauty tools. This is the biggest problem, the right equipment, aka hair tools. I'm not sure about you, but when I try to give myself beach waves with a curling iron alone, I seem to overdo it with tight curls, or they are so loose that as soon as I step outside, the beautiful creation turns to frizz!  Which is why you need to make sure you dry your hair correctly first. 

Diffuse The Hair For The Perfect Beach Wave Curl
The first tool to help you achieve the perfect beach wave curl is a hairdryer diffuser. One brand that sticks out above the others is Cicbeauty 3-In-1 Universal Diffuser Collection With A.d.e.p.t Complex Serum. Recall how I mentioned above that you needed to add a serum to your beach spray, well now you will see why I so love this universal 3-In-1 Diffuser.

First is the serum that adds the needed softness and tames down the dryness you get from the textured products. What makes this so amazing is that I do not add the serum directly to my hair; the Diffuser infuses it. WHAT??? Yep, this Diffuser is like a mister that adds hydration to your hair, allowing for soft curls. And the best part is you can use it with your favorite hair dryer.

So how does this work? Well, the inside the base of the attachable Diffuser are two clips to insert the included sponges where you add a few drops of the A.d.e.p.t® Complex Serum on top of the sponge.

Unlike other hair products that sit on top of the hair that can weigh down the hair, this Diffuser helps to penetrate the serum into the hair.  The trick is it is being infused when your hair is damp, and the cuticle is open, locking in moisture from the outside in.

I also like the Diffuser's angled attachment neck, as it makes it easy to use for all of those sections. No excuses now, beauties as this Diffuser allows you to do each section without tangling the hair or strain on the neck to get all areas by yourself.  

Using The Lifter To Dry And Set The Hair
To get beach wavy hair, you want to use the lifter attachment, as it is perfect for lifting at the roots. See the step by step directions below.

• Start with an approximate 2-inch section of hair.
• You want to twist the hair to give it that wave definition.
• Place the sectioned twisted hair in the lifter bowl.
• Flip your head forward so that your damp hair is hanging forward and gently diffuse in an upward motion and then move to a different area and do the same thing.
• Dry on high heat.
• Set curl with a blast of cool air from the hairdryer. This switching between hot and cool air helps to secure the curl formation and shuts the cuticle properly.
  

Fine-tune The Ends Of Your Hair
The key to effortless-looking beach waves is for the end of the hair to be straight. You can do this by using a flat iron, big barrel curling iron or round brush for touch ups.

Final Touches For Perfect Beach Wavy Hair
To get that soft flowing wavy look, once curls are COMPLETELY cool, gently run your fingers through the hair. To add more volume, run your fingers through the hair from underneath, lifting up—and whatever you do, do not use a brush or comb. While I know they do this at the salon, you need to be a pro to do this, and if you are not, you can mess up all the work you just put in, with a brush, TRUST ME!!!

The Finish
To keep beach waves in place, you want to finish with a styling spray, preferably a dry hair texture spray. Wet hair spray can way the hair down; it can also cause it to look hard and sticky.

10% Off For You!
In the midst of writing this post, I reached out to CicBeauty and they were kind enough to offer my readers a 10% discount!! I am a big fan of their product and I hope you will be too!! Simply use code: BARBIESBEAUTYBITS2 at checkout! Click here to start shopping and saving!

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How To Get Rid Of The Mummy Tummy

Getting rid of the mummy tummy, can be difficult. Especially with hectic schedules, limited hours in the day, having to be the mom, teacher, provider, and more, many women do not have the time for themselves, let alone finding time to go to the gym.   And aside from finding time to workout, finding time to cook and resist those prepackaged meals filled with processed foods and sodium is so hard, especially now during the pandemic.

The bottom line, weight loss is an ongoing struggle for many of us. And for those who do try to implement proper eating and exercise, it may not always be sufficient to get us that 20-year-old body we once had! Especially after having a few children or just those other stubborn fat accumulation areas that never go away, no matter what.  And I am not talking about right after birth, but for those with loose, damaged stomachs, whether from multiple pregnancies, weight loss, or simply age!

I've Tried Exercising But My Mummy Tummy Is Still There
This unwanted saggy skin and fat can affect many's perceptions of their figure and self-confidence, especially for those that bust their ass at the gym and still can't get rid of these stubborn fat areas, no matter what you try to do.

There is good news, however. Even the most stubborn fat pockets and loose, sagging skin can be treated cosmetically to give you your body back, with an abdominoplasty, AKA, a tummy tuck, to help get rid of that mummy tummy from a place like Alamo Plastic Surgery.

Is A Tummy Tuck Better
Personally, I will tell you hell yes a tummy tuck is better to get rid of stubborn body fat! Stay away from those marketed non-surgical substitutes for a tummy tuck. Aside from the minimized nasty side effects, they do not do the job of getting your body back!

While a tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgery, requiring you to go under anesthesia, it can rejuvenate the entire abdominal area, especially removing the excess skin and stretch marks, typically from the lower part of the abdomen. And do not worry as while there is a scar, it can be hidden under most underwear and bikini bottoms. 

The tummy tuck treatment is the solution many women seek to get rid of their mummy tummy and a way to regain their confidence. As you will see in the info-graphic, the process is quite reliable, and with the help of a board certified tummy tuck plastic surgeon, recovery can be straightforward.

Infographic Designed By Alamo Plastic Surgery

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Top Beauty Treatments For When You Are Bored At Home

Bored at home? Why not try some beauty treatments? 

Yes, we've all been there binging on Netflix, whiling away the time until we have something to do or somewhere to be.  However, when you are short on time and bored, it's hard to know what to do, especially because of the limits during this pandemic! You don't want to commit to something that will take too long or too much of your attention, like household chores. But, you've got time to kill and need something to help you to pass it.  Well, fret no more beauties, with some of my top beauty treatments for when you are bored at home!

Okay, to be honest, they aren't all treatments per se, and they certainly aren't all as life-changing as laser hair removal, but they will pass the time, help you look and feel great, and when you look and feel great, you do great!

7 Beauty Treatments For When You Are Bored At Home

Give Yourself An At-home Facial
An excellent facial needs time. But, you can give yourself a quick boost, cleansing, tightening, and improving tone with a Jade Roller and a 15 minute home face mask. If your skin is a little tired or dry, opt for a moisturizing mask with plenty of vitamins and minerals to brighten your skin. If you are struggling with blackheads, a charcoal mask might be a better use of your time. 

Bag Those Puffy Eyes
Say bye-bye to extra baggage by using a great eye cream infused with CBD!  Eye Love is a fantastic infusing eye cream that reduces puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines for smoother, brighter, younger-looking eyes.  Speaking of eyes that brings us to our next must have.

Long Lashes With No Glue

No glue how is that possible? Well it is with this "Magnetic Eyeliner and Eyelashes Kit"
If you love long lashes, but getting them on is a nightmare this is a must for you. This kit comes with a special eyeliner that contains ultra-fine magnetic liquid that allow the eyelash to easily connect. The eyeliner is smudge-proof. No need for any sticky glue! 

Pamper Your Feet
A little Pedi passion is excellent. One of the best ways to revive your feet and toes is with an at home pedicure. Because when your feet feel good, your whole body feels refreshed and energized.

Another great way to show those piggers some TLC is with an Exfoliating Foot Peel Mask. Make your rough heels and foot calluses a thing of the past. Your feet can look and feel baby soft again.

Do Something Different With Your Hair
If you've got a busy lifestyle, you may have fallen into a pattern with your hair, either wearing it loose or throwing it up into a top knot when it needs washing. Free time at home is the perfect time to try something new. Watch a hair tutorial on YouTube on the latest top knot trends, or why not make some of your own clip-in hair extensions?

At Home Red Light Therapy For Your Face
Looking for the ultimate non-surgical solution for younger looking skin, then do I have a skincare regimen for you. The beauty tool, the Jelessi Torche combined with Venofye Iron Bee Vemon transforming cream. This powerful combination helps to target fine lines, wrinkles and maturing areas of your face and neck. Red light therapy is one of the safest, most effective natural skin treatments available by some top skincare professionals and now you can treat yourself in the comfort of your own home!

Practice Face Yoga
Face yoga might not be a treatment as such, but it will tone and tighten your face, stretching your muscles and boosting circulation. The best thing is, you only need to do a few minutes a day to see results, and you can do it while you watch TV. 

Shave Your Face
Yes, you read that correctly. I said that women should shave their faces, and I am not talking about shaving to remove unwanted facial hair but instead shaving your entire face to help improve your skin tone, texture and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Now, I know you are thinking won't this make my peach fuzz grow back thick, dark, or coarse? The answer is no, it will not.  It will grow back the same texture as before shaving.

Shaving your entire face helps to soften the surface irregularities by mildly exfoliating the top layer of dead skin cells more thoroughly than say with a facial scrub. It is less abrasive than microdermabrasion. It can also contribute to getting rid of the vellus hairs (peach fuzz) that we all have, which on some people can make their complexion a bit dull.

Furthermore, exfoliating your face by shaving also stimulates your skin to produce new skin cells and collagen (whenever there's trauma to the skin, collagen is stimulated to help cell renewal), which gives your complexion a smoother, radiant appearance. It can also soften the appearance of fine lines by removing the layer of dead skin that contained them.

To Sum It Up
Some of the best beauty treatments take time. You might have a self-care routine that you like to devote yourself to when you've got a free evening. But, they don't have to. Even if you've just got a free 30 minutes, there's plenty that you can do to boost your skin tone, improve your mood, and generally give yourself a lift by simply implementing so of these beauty treatments!

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Beauty Blogger's Favorite Vanity Mirror From Riki Loves Riki

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who has the best vanity mirrors of them all? Well, Riki Loves Riki has the best ones in the land, which is why they are beauty blogger's favorite vanity mirrors and high in demand!

That's right; tons of people in the beauty industry, already know that Glamcor makes the best mirrors and lighting products. Glamcor is well-loved by famous makeup artists like Huda Beauty, Tati, Scott Barnes, even some celebs like Angelina Joli, JLO, and more! And when I had the opportunity to partner up with Riki Loves Riki, I was so excited!!! 

They have so many amazing mirrors, I felt like a kid in a candy store deciding which mirror I wanted to review and was counting down the days until I would get the brightest of them all, The Riki Tall Led Vanity Mirror!

The Riki Tall Led Vanity Mirror

It's time to get up close and personal with the Riki Tall Vanity Mirror from Glamcor. The RIKI TALL is a best-selling LED vanity mirror, social media favorite, and one of Allure's Best Of Beauty Winner.

The LED vanity mirror is not only sleek, modern, and glamorous, but it is much bigger than I anticipated (20 X 28). The mirror is also very lightweight, making a perfect addition to any room. I have two vanity areas in my home; one is in my beauty office, the other in my bedroom, and I tried it out in both.

Check out some of the other amazing features below.

• Every woman wants to feel luxurious and glamourous, and this Hollywood glam design provides perfect, even lighting with superior mirror reflection clarity! 
• The Riki Tall Mirror has five dimming stages of perfecting your look in any lighting with just a touch of a button.
• Virtually Zero Heat Generation
• HD Daylight Lighting
• It comes with a round magnetic 3x magnifying mirror. A must for those needed closeup to apply flawless eye makeup, conceal, fill-in's eyebrows, or in my case, blind as a bat, and require that closeup to apply your makeup. Oh, and let's not forget about my favorite... skincare as you can see all of those imperfections. It's a perfect reminder not to forget your skincare routine.
• It comes with an extra long cord, so you can plug it in pretty much anywhere.
  
  

  Riki Tall Specifications

  BUY NOW Virtually Zero Heat Generation HD Daylight Lighting Bluetooth Selfie Function Five Stage Dimming
  

You To Can Be Your Own Content Creator
Another reason this mirror is loved by many beauty influencers, makeup lovers, and beauty bloggers like myself is because of its Bluetooth selfie function and magnetic phone holder that allows you to create amazing videos and gorgeous selfies with the included hand remote control.

As you can see, this mirror has it all, which is why it is a beauty bloggers favorite vanity mirror! So what are you waiting for? Get your glam on by visiting Riki Loves Riki today! 

PIN ME!!

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Secrets Revealed To Living Your Best Life- Despite The Pandemic

We always hear you can be anything you want to be, but your life's quality mostly depends on you and how you see yourself, not much of a secret there is it? But, how you live with the cards you are dealt with, so to speak, can and is one of the secrets, to living your best life, despite the pandemic.

We can't deny the catastrophic impact of what has been going on in the world for the past six months and its effects on people's lives. From losing your loved ones to job losses, others have to take pay-cuts on top of being isolated. Basically, our everyday norms, that we have taken for granted have changed.

These changes have taken a toll on many. Especially being isolated day after day or feeling stuck with the same ole people and routine or worse, living alone. When the walls feel like they're closing in, these eight tips will help you to live your best life now and find some normalcy during this time.

Tips To Living Your Best Life- Despite The Pandemic

Exercise Daily
The benefits of exercising are enormous. Ever hear the expression "A runners high." Well, this isn't a myth; that sense of euphoria is real. That feel-good boost you get from those positive feelings washing over you is what you experience with the runners high and a sense of accomplishment.

You see, exercising releases endorphins and has many benefits for your body's health both physically and mentally, like:

• Boosts self-esteem by helping you look younger as working out brings more oxygen to your skin cells, leaving you with skin that's nourished and firmer
• Better sleep
• Decreases anxiety and stress levels
• Gives you more energy
• Physical shape
• Enhanced sex life
  

Try Something New
Some of us have much more time on hand. Instead of wallowing in boredom, why not try some of those past things you wanted to do but never did because life held you back, and go for them now. Something like taking some online classes at a local college, getting a website together for that business you've been wanting to launch, learning a new sport, writing a book, taking an online cooking class, and much more. The possibilities are endless.

Virtual Night Out With Some Friends
Where I live, you can eat at a restaurant; however, the times are limited and other restrictions. Furthermore, not everyone feels comfortable venturing out, and if this is you or your circle of friends, it is time to be creative with a virtual night out. You can do so many cool things, like virtual facials, virtual happy hour, streaming a movie together. Whatever it is you do, it is essential to make an effort to set a designated time to connect with friends and loved ones.

Boost Your Self Confidence With A Little Pampering
If you want to live your best life, you need to understand this... that a little TLC and pampering is essential to living a healthy, happy life. But most seem to place everyone else's needs above theirs, especially moms, who are trying to work from home, home school, run the household, and more!

Addressing your personal needs so that you can find a happy balance in your life is essential. Not only does it allow you to be better equipped to handle life's challenges, but it is the best way to prevent emotional, mental, and physical burnout.

A sense of attractiveness can be strongly connected to self-confidence and a positive mindset about ourselves.  Hence, making some changes in your beauty routine will enable you to take charge of your life. As the more that you invest in yourself, the better you'll feel, and the more confidence you'll have. This can be as simple as a new hairstyle, some new clothes, or even more severe like getting Botox for those unwanted wrinkles or clip-on veneers to give you an instant glowing smile.  Whether you want to believe it or not, individuals are more confident and have higher self-esteem when they smile.  Smiling and laughing have a dramatic impact on the brain. And considering how important laughing and smiling is, it is no surprise if you want to take steps to fix those deep smile lines or cracked teeth.

Create A Vision Board
Don't laugh, but a vision board is a great way to make those dreams a reality. Even the ones you have on the back burner or doubt.  A vision board is an excellent way of reminding you of your vision of a life to be.  It can allow you to take daily actions towards the goals you want. And when you can visually see them in the present moment, you can see what you created and the next steps you need to move you closer to your dream.

Set A Schedule And Follow It
We understand that it can be challenging to stick to a regular schedule when the world around us can seem crazy. But creating a daily routine will help to keep you grounded.

Add Meditation To Your Life
You should consider meditation if you want to forge a deeper connection with yourself, as it is a route for you to become acquainted with your true self. It offers you a medium to live a happier life by having an understanding of who you are. It also reminds you that happiness cannot be bought but bred from within. If you are ever in doubt, listen to what Lao Tzu said about correcting your mind to allow the other parts of your life to fall into place.

Stay Away From Negativity Online
While social media is a great way to stay connected with the world and with friends. If you want to live your best life, you need to stay away from being a social media troll. Subconsciously this negativity can be mentally toxic. This goes with sharing posts that could be fake news; factcheck before you post. Resist chiming in on far fetched political posts and more. Statistics show this behavior can do more harm than good to your aura.

Don't get me wrong I am all about social media as it is a great way to stay connected, but there is a dark side if you are depressed. For example, you may find yourself comparing how you look to others, feeling upset as you see a photo of a night out you could not attend, seeing people with their kids or parents, etc.  Studies have shown that negative engagement and behaviors can trigger or worsen your depression. So when you post and engage, keep it positive.

To Sum It Up
At the end of the day, the decision to be either optimistic or pessimistic largely depends on you. You can endeavor to be your best self and take the necessary steps to live without regrets for as far as you can go. The pandemic could be here with us for a while, but you have the choice of how you deal with it. I choose to living my best life, despite the pandemic! 

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6 Ways To Kickstart Your Morning For A Successful Day

We are living through some unique and quite frankly tricky times, wouldn't you agree? Many people have some new norms that they are not sure how to deal with! Which is why a kickstart to your morning routine can be the ticket to a successful day!

To get real, the everyday lives that we took for granted have changed dramatically. From our family life, work environment, personal relationships, and even something as simple as going out to eat in a restaurant or grocery shopping, it's all changed.

This is our new norm, whether we like it or not, including working from home, which is making it difficult for some to get motivated, and rock the day. But fret no more, with these tips To Kickstart Your Morning For A Successful Day.

6 Tips To Kickstart Your Morning For A Successful Day

Get Your Beauty Rest
Are you someone who pops right out of bed when the alarm goes off, or are you a snoozer? If you are the latter, you could be the "beast" in Beauty and The Beast, and no one wants that.  Beauty sleep is real! It is also individualized. See some of our musts below to help you feel as if you have gotten enough rest and feel energized to start your day.

1. Get Plenty Of Sleep: The goal is to have 6-8 hours of sleep a night.
2. Have A Sleeping Schedule: Yes, even if you are working from home, you should go to bed and wake up at the same time.
3. Don't Hit The Snooze: Ideally, you want to get up when you wake up if possible. Most of us do wake up during our lighter sleep stages. When you wake up and then fall back to sleep, you could end up being woken during a deeper sleep stage.
4. Cut Back On The Alcohol: Most are aware of a hangover's effects, and we are not talking about this. Alcohol can mess with your rem sleep. You pass out, then you wake up and can't fall back asleep.
   

Create A Morning Routine
Now that you are well-rested, you are on to the next step of setting a morning routine. Doing so will allow you to take control of the day rather than it taking control of you.  As we start each day fresh, you will find yourself less stressed and more relaxed, and you can focus on what is in front of you, prioritize, and, ultimately, increase our productivity.

Implement A Morning Skincare Routine
One crucial step to tie into your morning routine is an effective skincare routine. To rock your day, you need to be prepared, and your skin is not excluded.

Your evening skincare routine repairs your skin, and when we rest, our skin rejuvenates, repairs, and recovers. Hence, your morning routine will prepare your skin for the day by nourishing, detoxifying, protecting, and re-balancing the skin.  

Luckily, there are plenty of products available for you to try out. You can click here for Niacinamide Cream, as well as checking out other beauty essentials that are ideal for beautiful skin.

Keep Yourself Hydrated
While many people rely on coffee to wake them up in the morning, water is the magic solution that you should rely on to increase your energy levels! Unlike coffee, which can dehydrate you, water hydrates, boosts your metabolism, fights toxins, and improves skin texture to start your morning off right. Want an extra detoxifying boost? Add some lemon to your water. 

Exercise Daily
Exercise helps you fall asleep, and it can help wake you up as it is a great way to help release endorphins, decrease anxiety and stress levels, give you energy, and keep you in great physical shape. And no worries, we are not talking about taking a 5-mile run in the morning. You can do something as simple as jumping jacks or yoga. If you don't know what to do, there are plenty of YouTube videos you can follow. 

Kick Your Day Off With Something You Enjoy
We mentioned earlier about establishing a steady routine, but this doesn't mean you have to be a robot about it. Try implementing an activity that you enjoy; it can even be something mindless. Days can be demanding and stressful; doing something you love each morning can be your calm before plunging into the rest of your day.

It can be something like reading, eating breakfast, journaling, listening to your favorite music, mediating, even playing with your cat.  

In conclusion, mornings should not be dreaded but a way to embrace a new day in life. Therefore, incorporating even just a few of my tips into your morning routine can be the ticket you need to "Kickstarting Your Morning For A Successful Day."

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Tips To Healthy, Salon Like Nails This Fall

It's time to get stylish this season with some gorgeous Fall nails! Yep, beauties, Fall is right around the corner, and for the next month, I will be sharing some fall beauty tips. And to kick this off, my first Fall beauty topic..."Tips To Healthy, Salon Like Nails This Fall"

Just like changing your wardrobe for the Autumn season, it is also essential to change your beauty routine, including your fall nail care. Believe it or not, the increased dry winds, changing temperatures can harm the nails.

While some of you may have already been treating yourself to a Salon-Like Pedicure During Quarantine, you need an at-home mani too!  Especially with the constant hand washing and use of hand sanitizer, both have been on overdrive. This consistent behavior can ruin the natural moisture in your nailbeds and skin, leading to cracking and long term nail damage. Just like to dry brittle leaves, your nails can start to look brittle as well.  But no worries with our top tips to healthy nails this Fall.

Top Seven Tips To Healthy, Salon Like Nails This Fall

Do Not Bite Your Nails
Are you a biter and a picker? Thankfully I am neither, but my sister sure is.  I see the pain from her biting and picking. Not only can cause you to rip your nails further down your finger then you should, but it can also lead to infection and painful injuries. Cut them evenly and squarely and avoid rough edges. If you are a chronic biter, it may be worth taking steps to determine why you do it and how you can prevent it.

Disinfect Your Nail Tools
Speaking of clipping, before you dive into clipping and trimming, you need to ensure that you disinfect your at-home nail tools. You want to make sure you are doing this after each use. To keep them clean, soak in alcohol 70% or higher. Also, do not use the same nail clippers on your fingers that you would use on your toes; you need a separate one for each.

Keep Your Cuticles Healthy
When you go to a salon, they sure love to cut and push back your cuticles. Personally, I'm not too fond of it, and for a good reason. According to my salon, he said for any DIY nails, stay away from cutting or pushing cuticles back. The cuticle is essential to protecting the nailbed from bacteria and other germs, causing irritations or, worse, an infection.

DIY Tips To Keeping Your Hands, Nails, And Cuticles Moisturized This Fall

No one wants their hands or nails dry as leaves this Fall, so keeping them properly moisturized is essential. There are plenty of DIY products you can use to keep your nails and hands hydrated despite the fall season's adverse effect.

Shorter Nails Can Be A Problem- Before we get into our DIY Fall nail mositurizing secrets, we want to point out that shorter nails can be a problem. If you are one that prefers shorter nails, you will run into issues, like hangnails. Which can lead to chronic picking and cutting. Which is why you need to keep your hands moisturized! And beauties you can do this with everyday products, see some of our favorites below.

• Use A Lip Balm On Your Nail Cuticles
• Do An Oil Soak: Carrier oils are your cuticle's best friend, such as olive oil, coconut oil, argan oil, vitamin E oil, and tea tree oil. All are great at also strengthing the nails and keeping your hands and cuticles healthy. Simply keep them dipped for about 10-15 minutes. Make sure not to rinse with water after.
• Limited Water Exposure: This is easier said than done, especially with how things are in the world. But when it comes to cleaning, washing dishes, etc., consider wearing gloves. And remember hot water is drying, which is why you need to consider those DIY soaks.
• Salt Water Bath With Oil: Salt is excellent at helping to rid microbes, germs, and other yuckies in the nails. However, salt alone can be drying, so always use it with oil.
• Honey: Honey is great for many things; it is a staple in my beauty cabinet.  Not only does it contain antioxidants and enzymes that are good for the skin, it's anti-fungal properties are the bees, knees for your nails.

Prepping Your Nails For That Fall Nail Look
To get salon looking nails at home this Fall, I have some other quick nail secrets, like ways to keeping your polish longer:

• Look for a nail polish remover that doesn't dry your nails. Acetone can be drying and cause your nail polish to flake, so I try to avoid this.  
• Use Vinegar: This is a great way to help to remove any leftover nail polish remover, moisturizer, or any other residue, ultimately enabling the polish to adhere longer.
• Use Petroleum Jelly: For no more messy manicures consider applying a small bit of petroleum jelly along the sides and the base of your nails. If polish seeps off the nail, who cares, as all you have to do is wipe off the petroleum jelly, and you now have perfectly painted fall nails!

Top Fall Colors For Your Nails
Like the change in the color of leaves, Fall invites a change of nail polish colors. There are tons of shade options for Fall, all that will look amazing with those cozy blazers and fall sweaters.

Sally's Beauty has a great selection of gel-based nail polishes that can allow you to be creative and even SPOOKtacular when Halloween comes around. 

DIY Ways To Mend A Broken Nail
The dreaded broken nail is always the worst, but there are some DIY ways you can save that broken nail.

• Use a Tea Bag: This is similar to the silk method you would get from a salon. You would replace the silk wrap with a piece of a teabag and glue.
• Superglue It: While this isn't the best, you can get it to look pretty good if you smooth it out nicely after.
• Baking Soda: This approach is similar to a dip method you would get from a Salon. But instead of using acrylic powder, use super glue and baking soda.
• Fake It: You can always replace it with an artificial press-on nail. There are some out there that work well, and with it only being one nail, you'll be OK.

Go To A Professional For Your Mani Needs
Finally, you can always go to a professional if you have any concerns or worries about your nails or hands. Ignoring small problems can lead to big ones. You don't want a small chip to lead into a fully broken nail, just because you didn't want to bother someone with such a simple problem. They're experts for a reason. See them as often as you need to.

Well, beauties, I think we nailed this Fall nail tips, how about you?

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