At Home French Mani - What NOT To Do!

Do NOT apply 2 coats of a base colour, be impatient, apply french manicure strips, add white polish on tips and expect it to NOT come out like this! Notice the ripped up base coat? 

Instead, apply French Polish Guide Strips (I used the ones from Nailene) to either bare nails or on top of 1 thin coat of clear base coat. Give ample time to dry, then apply 1-2 THIN layers of white (or coloured) polish to tips. Wait till dry to peel strips off then apply your nude or neutral colour and top coat.

Here are the 3 polishes I used. Zoya's Snow White, OPI's Got A Date To-Knight and a Top Coat Plus from Nicole by OPI.

The final result after doing it right and taking my time......

Not quite salon quality, but for this self polishing, french manicuring newb... not half bad!!

Blotting Sheets a MUST for Summer Brides!

I get asked quite often by my brides "will I get shiny through the night". The answer to this is YES! Unless you are in a very cold room and not dancing, posing or hugging anyone at all or have super dry skin you will most likely have shiny spots often in your t-zone.

The solution? Blotting papers or sheets such as Shiseido's Pureness Oil-Control Blotting Papers ($18) found at Sephora or Clean and Clear's Oil Absorbing Sheets (approx $8) found at Wal-mart or your local drugstore.

Not only will these sheets eliminate excess sebum and shine but they are super compact and can fit in even the tiniest bridal clutches!

Tip: Use these sheets to blot lips to remove excess lipstick or gloss they work great! ;)

New Monthly Feature: SURESH SAYS! Tips and Tricks from Celeb Makeup Artist Suresh

Today is the first of a new monthly feature here on FacesByFarah.com called Suresh Says! with the celebrity makeup artist behind Suresh Beauty .

If you follow Suresh on twitter you know how great his beauty tips are and I am so honored that we get  to team up exclusively here on FBF to get those tips, tricks and secrets out there to my readers. 

Suresh answers a readers question below on how to wear light lip colors if you have pigmented lips.

Q: I have dark pigmented lips, love wearing lighter colors and nudes but the color on my lips always shows through... Help!

Suresh Says!

Dab a creme concealer 1.5-2 shades lighter than your skin over entire lip. Then use a nude lip pencil that has an opaque coverage to line and fill the lip. Top with your favorite light or nude lip color. Remember, glosses break down concealer and lipsticks quickly so use gloss sparingly.

So there you have it ladies, follow Suresh's tips for that perfect nude pout this summer!

If you have a question you would like to ask Suresh feel free to email me with them and be sure to add "Suresh Says" in the subject line.

Beauty Tip: After Washing Brushes You Should....

After washing your makeup brushes lay them flat with the bristles hanging off the edge of the counter. This allows the air to dry them from all angles and in turn makes your brushes dry faster ;)

Nail Polish Bottles That Just Wont Open!

Have you ever reached for your fav polish only to struggle with opening it? Some of us may have the first instinct to use our teeth to pry that baby open but that can be a risky move and can damage your teeth, so here are some tips on how to get that bottle open and how to prevent it from happening again! 


Each time you remove the brush, you probably swipe it against the bottle's edge to get rid of the excess polish right?. The odd time polish will drip down the sides and dry up only to seal that bottle tight!

The Cure: As a first step, use a jar gripper or wrap a rubber band several times around the cap to give you a better grip. If that doesn't do the trick run hot water over the bottle to loosen the dried polish, then try again.

Tip: When you finish using the polish, use a tiny amount of remover on a tissue to clean around the rim of the bottle and be sure to store the bottle upright. This should prevent you from having to deal with a stuck polish lid in the future!

The Secret To Smooth Skin is Papaya!

Ever since I was little my mom has kept papaya in the house. She has it for breakfast most mornings and undoubtedly in my eyes has the most gorgeous skin. I'm not sure how much of a role consuming papaya has on how smooth your skin is but when I read an article recently on papaya masks it made me wonder.

Papaya is an exotic summer fruit that contains enzymes called papain, which help soften and revitalize the skin. Its a gentle exfoliant that removes dead skin which in turn makes wrinkles less noticeable.


Try this homemade Papaya Smoothing Mask.
What you will need
- 1 ripe papaya
Directions
- Peel and remove seeds from papaya
- Chop into small pieces
- Place papaya in blender and puree until smooth
- Apply puree to clean face
- Relax for approx 15 mins then rinse off with warm water
- moisturize as normal
Keeps for
2 days if stored in fridge.
(recipe courtesy of Woman's World Magazine)

Look Fresh with A Homemade Watermelon Toner!

Watermelon is always refreshing on those hot summer days right? Did you know this colorful fruit also makes a refreshing toner?

Watermelon is packed with antioxidants and amino acids that can help clear your pores and control oil.

Here's a great reason to save some of that yummy watermelon next time you cut one open.



Homemade Watermelon Toner:
What you'll need
2 tbs of fresh watermelon juice
2 tbs of witch hazel
2 tbs of water
Directions
- Push the pulp from a slice of watermelon through a strainer to extract the juice
- Mix all ingredients into a small bottle with a lid and store in the fridge
- Apply to a cotton ball and sweep over oily areas on clean skin.
Keeps for: 4-5 days if stored in fridge
(recipe courtesy of Woman's World Magazine)

Enjoy this homemade toner that not only smells great but keeps your skin cool all summer long!

Ever wonder how your makeup is made?

Have you ever actually thought about where your makeup came from? Or how it was made?
Well it all starts somewhere!

I recently got an insider look when I was lucky enough to get a top secret tour of one of the huge facilities where many of your name brand makeup is made. Brands such as Milani, Mac, Smashbox, Maybelline, Flirt and many more are mixed, baked, tested and packaged at plants like this.

I arrived mid afternoon for a meeting with one of the managers there, she greeted me with a warm smile and as I walked into her office I noticed her walls covered in empty makeup pans (like the one below) to the left and shades upon shades of shadows, blushes and powders to the left. Every size and color your can imagine, behind her desk bins and bins of sample products. As you can imagine I was in heaven and don't think I stopped smiling the whole time I was there.


She talked about the step by step process that goes into producing some of our favorites even before they can hit the shelves. From the sales pitch to the lab testing to the mixing of ingredients its no simple process Ill tell you that!

After we chatted she offered to take me down to the plant for a tour. As you can imagine cameras were not allowed in order to protect the brands being made there and the companies secrets. She passed me a lab coat and a hair net and I was told to take off every single piece of jewelry I had on, although I felt silly I was happy to see they had such strict codes in place.

First stop, the lab. As the door swung open I saw the smiling faces of the lab technicians as they mixed and tested the products. I saw lipstick in its liquid form, sparkle being added creating a beautiful color and I noticed a hand blender being used to mix a sample of foundation which I thought was funny yet very practical!


(images provided by company)

Next stop, the plant. We arrived in the middle of shift change but was able to see a certain liquid shadow being poured into the compact and pressed to make it into a solid form. We then walked by a bakers rack full of trays with baked shadows and blushes on them, either waiting to be baked again or waiting to be packaged.

(images provided by company)

She also shared with me something I didn't know, that about 95% of the makeup industries "pencils" you see out there are made in Germany... why? Well apparently they have the special machines for it... that and the fact that they have been doing it for so many years that they now dominate the pencil market.

The experience really made me think about where my makeup comes from and how much goes into making it work for us, the consumers. The amount of testing and trials, hand packaging and raw ingredients really opened my eyes.

I was lucky enough to get a behind the scenes look into this secret world and now I'm able to share my experience with you all. I would like to thank that one special manager for meeting with me and for sharing all the behind the scenes info that goes into making some of the products that help me with my career :)

So have you ever wondered about where your makeup comes from? Where it starts and what exactly goes into it?

13 Beauty Myths Uncovered!

I happen to come across an Elle Canada article that listed the truth behind 13 beauty myths and I wanted to share them because they are common questions and its about time everyone know the truth!

1. You should never wax before or during your period. TRUE. Hormonal changes just before and during ovulation may heighten the sensitivity of nerve endings, which means that waxing may be more painful, says Nicolette Oakwell-Morgan, a hair-removal expert at OMI Medical Inc. in Toronto. The best time for waxing is just after your period.


2. You should never rub your wrists together when you apply fragrance. TRUE. According to Marian Bendeth, a fragrance expert and the owner of Sixth Scents in Toronto, this can "bruise" the oils contained in the blend, chemically altering the scent. "Leave it alone and let the air [dry] it," she says. (Im totally guilty of this one!)

3. Shaving makes your hair grow thicker. FALSE. However, it can appear that way, says Oakwell-Morgan. "When you shave, you're cutting hair off at its largest diameter, so you're left with the blunt end, which often feels coarser and thicker," she says.


4. Filing your nails in one direction – instead of back and forth – will prevent shredding. TRUE. According to Carla Kay, a celebrity manicurist and pedicurist in Los Angeles, you should file from each corner of the nail toward the middle to avoid breakage and splitting. Find out your nail polish personality here!

5. The aluminum in antiperspirants can cause breast cancer. FALSE. The Canadian Cancer Society states that there is no proven link between antiperspirants and breast cancer. While Internet scuttlebutt breathes new life into the fear that aluminum salts and other chemicals in antiperspirants mess with breast cells via your armpits' lymph nodes (think of them as conduits in the body), there's no need to sweat it – literally.

6. Plucking your eyebrows will stop them from growing back. TRUE. Sustained tweezing over many years (decades, really) may fatigue the hair follicle to the point where it may not grow back, says Oakwell-Morgan.

7. Applying petroleum jelly to your eyelashes makes them grow faster. FALSE. "It's just genetics: either you have thick gorgeous eyelashes or you don't," says Dr. Monica Furniss, an optometrist in Waterloo, Ont. In fact, the viscous jelly could actually plug glands on the inner rims of your eyelids that produce tears, flush out debris and fend off infections.

8. You ingest pounds of lipstick every year, and it's harmful to your health. FALSE. The average woman is estimated to consume four milligrams of lipstick daily. To reach even half a pound, it would take four lifetimes (assuming lipstick is worn from age 16 to 80). Even then there are no health risks, according to Health Canada.

9. Toothpaste makes the best spot treatment for acne. FALSE. Although some toothpastes contain benzoyl peroxide (an acne-zapping ingredient that is also used as a whitening agent), there are many more-effective products that specifically target acne, says Vignjevic. Look for products with at least five percent benzoyl peroxide, like Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 5 ($7)


10. Trimming your cuticles will make them grow back thicker. TRUE. Pushing your cuticles back is okay, but trimming them breaks the seal with the nail bed, triggering them to grow back thicker to protect the nail from infection, explains Kay. If you've already trimmed them, apply a cuticle oil, like OPI Avoplex Cuticle Oil to Go ($10), to restore elasticity.

11. Tooth-whitening products and procedures can damage your teeth. WE DON'T KNOW. The only documented side effect of tooth-bleaching products, including blue-light whitening, is short-term tooth sensitivity. As the Canadian Dental Association points out, the tools haven't been around long enough to documents purported long-term risks, such as enamel corrosion and oral cancer.


12. Sleep debt is real – you can't make up for lost zzzs. TRUE. Most women need between 7.5 and 8.5 hours of sleep every night. The hours we lose to stress, overwork and late-night partying are gone forever, says Dr. Rachel Morehouse, a psychiatrist and medical director of the Atlantic Health Sciences Sleep Centre in Satin John, N.B.


13. Storing fragrances in the fridge will make them last longer. FALSE. The oils in the scents will permeate all fats – such as butter and milk – in your fridge, causing contamination. Instead, keep scents in a cool, dark place, preferably at or just below room temperature, says Bendeth.

So there you have it! 13 less things you need to question the truth on ;)
Did any of these surprise you?

Quick Tip: A simple way to store your hair clips & ties

I don't know about you but I lose bobby pins and hair clips faster then I can buy them! Ive lost a few down the sink, they fall on the floor and get forgotten, clips get left on the counter and eventually get knocked off and broken and therefore tossed out....

Solution: Recycle those toilet paper rolls in a new way! Elastic band fit perfectly around them and clips have their own place to rest right at the top. You can paint the rolls, cover them with ribbon or leave them as is, either way it makes a simple VERY cost effective way to store all your hair accessories :)

Happy Organizing!

Cucumbers - Not just for your lunch box anymore!

Cucumbers have a very high water content of around 96% and are excellent body rehydrators. It contains Vitamin C and fiber, along with minerals like silica, potassium and magnesium. It's recommended that one should eat lots of it, especially in summer.

Cucumber is the perfect treat for summer skin also. Reduce that heat-induced greasy feeling, soothe itchiness, tighten pores, reduce eye puffiness, and reveal truly radiant, dewy-fresh skin with the cooling, refreshing ways of cucumber.

Because cucumbers are packed with goodness they are used in many homemade recipes and are the secret to some of the easiest beauty tricks!

Here are some amazing ways cucumbers can be used in your beauty routines.

Prevent pimples & blackheads:
Grated cucumber, applied over the face and neck for 15 to 20 minutes, works as an excellent tonic. Regular usage prevents pimples, blackheads and dryness of face.

Brighten a dull complexion:
Add a dash of lime juice and rose water to cucumber juice and apply it over the facial skin to brighten a dull & greasy complexion.

Glowing Skin:
A lotion of equal quantities of cucumber juice and milk with a few drops of rose water, applied on the face for 15 to 20 minutes, will keep sensitive skin soft and glowing. This lotion also has a mild bleaching effect.

Remove Dark Circles:
Add 1 tsp cucumber juice to 1 tsp potato juice. Apply this to the skin around your eyes very gently, taking care not to pull or stretch it. Then relax for 15 minutes. This is quite effective in removing the dark circles under the eyes.

Toner:
Mix the juice extracted from cucumber, lemon, and orange with equal volumes of rosewater, glycerin and honey. This could them be applied to the skin to tone it and to promote its youthfulness and health.

Hair Growth:
Drinking a mixture of cucumber juice and that of carrot regularly stimulates hair growth. The high content of silicon and sulphur in cucumber juice nourishes the hair, nails and skin.

Minimize hair damage caused by swimming:
Swimming in a pool with chlorinated water can cause much damage to your hair also. Try this treatment to keep chlorine damage to the minimum. Blend together 1 egg, 3-4 tbsp worth of olive oil and 1 quarter peeled cucumber. Spread evenly through your hair, leave on for 10 minutes, and then thoroughly rinse.

Sore throats:
Gargling with fresh cucumber juice several times daily serves as a soothing, cooling and healing remedy for painful sore throats.

As a laxative:
Cucumber juice exhibits mild laxative it clears the bowels and increases the flow of urine.

Puffy, tired eyes:
Applying a simple eye pad using slices of cucumber over the eyelids and lying down. Rest for 15 minutes, then remove cucumber.

Weight loss:
Cucumber being very high in minerals and low in calorific value, it is highly valued for weight reduction. So those who wish to reduce weight can bite into a juicy cucumber, whenever they feel a pang of hunger, instead of munching any other junk food. A liberal intake of the juice is particularly helpful to diabetic patients who are overweight.

Healthy diet:
A dieting consisting exclusively of cucumber or an occasional fasting using cucumber juice will ensure the cleanliness of the internal system - which is absolutely essential for good health.

Cure Blemishes:
Intake of cucumber juice as well as applying a mixture of equal quantities of cucumber juice, rosewater and 70% alcohol is effective in curing disfiguring black spots and blemishes, especially caused by mosquito & other insect bites.

Increase your fiber intake:
Adding a cool cucumber to your salads is a good way to increase your fiber intake, as it is loaded with fiber and lots of extra fluid needed while consuming more fiber.

Bug bites or sunburn:
If you have sunburn or the “itchies” from bug bites or poison ivy, this is just about the simplest way to find cooling relief out there. It’s refreshing, draws out the itch, and it isn’t messy: Thinly slice 3-5 cucumbers and place on a plate.

Lie face down in a comfortable position in a warm place. Have a friend place cucumber slices all over the back side of your body, so they are just touching but not overlapping. Use about half the total slices. Rest quietly for 10 to 20 minutes to allow the cucumber slices and juice to penetrate your skin.

Remove the slices. Turn over and apply the rest of the slices to your front side. Relax for 10 to 20 minutes. You may want to rinse off afterwards, but it is best not to shower for at least four hours, as the cucumber will continue to work on the skin during that time.

___________________________

There you have it.... not only will can cucumbers help you heal but they will also leave you smelling fresh ;)
Enjoy!

Quick Tip: A clever way to save space and store those tweezers!

Taking up half the shelf of your medicine cabinet just for your tweezers is a bit silly when clearly that space could be better used by something more important like your sunscreen or fav bottle of perfume.

Solution: Use a small magnet with a sticky back or some double sided tape (if not metal) and place it along the side of your cabinet... voila! A new place for your tweezers that's out of the way ;)

ps- This could also work on the inside of your vanity doors too ;)

Happy Organizing!

Quick Tip: How to store SMALL beauty items in a BIG bag!

Sometimes us girls need certain beauty items on the go like nail files and polish, but with the big bags that are in fashion these days these items can be a pain to find when you need them.

Solution: use a hard glasses case you have just laying around the house to store them, that way your small beauty items will be all in one place and easy to find ;)

Happy Organizing ;)

When Life Hands You Lemons...Beautify Yourself!

So we've talked about the different uses of Vodka and the benefits of honey but today is all about LEMONS!

Lemons are rich in vitamin C but also contains other important nutrients for our health, for example magnesium, iron, copper, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. The high proportion of vitamin C is the main reason why lemons can be considered as one of the necessary substances in our daily diet.

Not only are lemons great for your diet and body but they can also be a part of your beauty routine. Lemon juice is a natural antioxidant which helps stimulate collagen production in your skin as well as many other fabulous things.

Here are some examples of how lemons can be used to help everything from your nails to your hair.

Lemons....What are they good for?!

Healthy Nails - Soak your fingernails (or toenails) in lemon juice for 10 minutes. Then brush your nails them with a tooth brush or nail brush using a mixture of 1/2 white vinegar and 1/2 warm water, then rinse with warm water. This treatment helps your fingernails stay strong and bright! You may be surprised at how shiny and amazing your fingernails look!

Remove Blackheads - Rub lemon juice over the areas that contain blackheads right before you go to bed. Rinse your face with cool water when you wake up. Repeat this every night until blackheads are dissolved and gone. The citric acid helps naturally dissolve the oils that form blackheads in your skin! If the lemon juice is too strong and stings wash face after 10 minutes. Note: If the lemon juice is too strong and stings wash face after 10 minutes with cold water.

Brighten Skin - Use fresh lemon juice on any area of your body, including your face, to brighten up and soften your skin. Simply rub a fresh lemon on this area before you go to bed. Rinse in the morning. You can also add 1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice to your bath water and soak for 20 minutes for an all over treatment. Note: If the lemon juice is too strong and stings wash face after 10 minutes with cold water.

Condition Hair - Dull, damaged hair will benefit from lemon juice! Combine 3/4 cup Olive oil, 1/2 cup raw honey, and 3 tablespoons of lemon juice. Set aside. After shampooing your hair, towel dry your hair and work the lemon juice mixture in your hair by combing it evenly throughout your hair. Then cover hair with a plastic cap for a 1/2 hour. Shampoo and rinse your hair as usual.

Bleach Hair - The all natural alternative to bleach is to use the juice from 1/2 - 1 lemon into your hair. Squeeze it directly into your hair. (Don't worry if you get some seeds in your hair. You'll rinse those out later!) Sit in the sun for 25 minutes. Shampoo and condition as usual. If your hair is light colored, you will see more blonde highlights. If you have darker hair, you will notice some nice red tones.

Dry Skin – You can use lemons to help with your dry skin! Simply make a mask by mixing equal amounts of honey, lemon and vegetable/canola/olive oil. Apply to dry areas and allow it to dry thoroughly. (about 10 minutes) Rinse with warm water. This mixture is a good moisturizer for dry skin or dry skin patches.

Oily Skin Toner - Combine 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons vodka, 1 tablespoon distilled water, and 1 teaspoon witch hazel. Apply with cotton balls to your skin, then rinse. This mixture will keep in the refrigerator for a week and can really help your oily skin woes!

Exfoliate Dead Skin Cells - Rub a cut lemon dipped into a half-teaspoon of sugar over your face for a few minutes. Do this every night to help remove accumulated dead skin cells and refresh your skin. Note: Avoid if you have any sores or scabs.

Dandruff Treatment - Mix a few tablespoons of fresh lemon juice with 1/2 cup of olive oil. Rub it gently onto your scalp. Allow to remain for 15 minutes, then rinse, shampoo, and condition as usual.

Breath Freshener - Use lemon juice to freshen your breath. Lemon has been used for years (mostly mixed with water to make lemon water), as a natural breath mint. The acidity in lemons, helps destroy bacteria in your mouth that gives you bad breath. Drink lemon water during the day, to freshen up your breath anytime!

Body Purifier - Lemon water is also a great detoxifier for your body. Be sure to wash lemon thoroughly to clear of any bacteria on skin.

Lighten & Soften Elbows: You can also rub cut lemons directly on elbows to lighten lighten and soften them.

Natural Astringent: Lemons mixed with cucumber juice makes a natural astringent. Inside and Out!

For Soft Silky Hair: Apply warm/hot oil and lemon juice to your scalp and wrap for 30 minutes before thoroughly rinsing.

Help Blemishes: Combine and blend a few drops of lemon juice with enough plain yogurt to cover face. Allow to blend 30 minutes before applying to clean skin.

Wrinkles: Mix olive oil with lemon juice, apply to your face in the evening.

Make a Toner: Steep a peppermint tea bag in a cup of boiled water for 15 minutes. After the tea is cooled, discard tea bag. Add a tablespoon of lemon juice and quarter cup of witch hazel. Store in glass container in the refrigerator. Apply daily after cleansing face.

Other benefits of lemons

• Its clean aroma helps to uplift our spirit and calm the nerves. For this reason they should not be used prior to sleeping since lemons make us energetic and uplifted.
• Its soft, refreshing fragrance can be used in candles and oil burners or you may use fresh lemon peel in a bowl of hot water.
• It is believed that lemons help to reduce high blood pressure.
• It helps digestion because it activates the intestines' secretions.
• Lemons help to stimulate circulation. This is the reason why many aromatherapy soaps have lemon essential oil.
• Because of its high vitamin C content, it helps boost the immune system.
  

Lemons provides many health benefits. When mixing or creating a homemade formula be sure to use caution as allergies, sensitivities, or other reactions may occur. A test patch is a good idea especially when using these ingredients on your face.

Using these lemon juice beauty tips can really save you money on products you may have purchased. Lemons are highly beneficial and are a natural way to enhance your inner beauty! Enjoy ;)

Amazing Alternate Uses for Vodka!

If you’re a fan of vodka, you know that its smoothness and versatility make it the perfect drink to pair with pretty much any mixer. There’s no end to the praises to be sung about this uniquely intoxicating alcohol, but did you know that there are plenty of other uses for vodka? It turns out that it’s actually a pretty handy substance to have around.

I came across these interesting uses for vodka and felt I needed to share :) Please keep in mind I haven't tried these so I'm not so sure how accurate they really are but its interesting none the less...

- To clean the caulking around bathtubs and showers, fill a trigger-spray bottle with vodka, spray the caulking, let set five minutes and wash clean. The alcohol in the vodka kills mold and mildew.

- To clean your eyeglasses, simply wipe the lenses with a soft, clean cloth dampened with vodka. The alcohol in the vodka cleans the glass and kills germs.

- Prolong the life of razors by filling a cup with vodka and letting your safety razor blade soak in the alcohol after shaving. The vodka disinfects the blade and prevents rusting.

- Using a cotton ball, apply vodka to your face as an astringent to cleanse skin the and tighten pores. (make sure there are no open sores or this may be painful!)

- Add a splash of vodka to a 12-ounce bottle of shampoo. The alcohol cleanses the scalp, removes toxins from hair, and stimulates the growth of healthy hair.

- Pour one-half cup vodka and one-half cup water in a Ziplock freezer bag, and freeze for a slushy, refreshable ice pack for aches, pain, or black eyes.

- Fill a clean, used mayonnaise jar with freshly packed lavender flowers, fill the jar with vodka, seal the lid tightly and set in the sun for three days. Strain liquid through a coffee filter then apply the alcoholic extract to aches and pains.

- Make your own mouthwash by mixing nine tablespoons powered cinnamon with one cup vodka. Seal in an airtight container for two weeks. Strain through a coffee filter then mix with warm water and rinse your mouth. Don’t swallow.

- Using a q-tip, apply vodka to a cold sore to help it dry out. (again may be painful)

- To treat dandruff, mix one cup vodka with two teaspoons crushed rosemary, let sit for two days, strain through a coffee filter and massage into your scalp and let dry.

- To treat an earache put a few drops of vodka in your ear. Let set for a few minutes. Then drain. The vodka will kill the bacteria that are causing pain in your ear.

- To relieve a fever, use a washcloth to rub vodka on your chest and back as a liniment.

- To cure foot odor, wash your feet with vodka.

- Vodka will disinfect and alleviate a jellyfish sting.

- Swish a shot of vodka over an aching tooth. Allow your gums to absorb some of the alcohol to numb the pain. (If all else fails, just turn the bottle up and drink it, nothing will matter anymore anyway!)

- You can also kill weeds with vodka, just mix 1 oz of vodka, 2 cups of water and a couple of drops of liquid soap into a spray bottle, mix and voila!

- Did you child get loose with a sharpie and draw all over your TV? Never fear a little Vodka on a clear rag will help clean the marker off easily.

- Clean jewelry. Soak the jewelry in vodka for five minutes, then rinse, and dry.

- Clean lipstick from clothing. Rub the stain with vodka, then throw into your regular wash.

- To increase the life of cut flowers, add a few drops of vodka vase water along with 1 teaspoon sugar.

- Use undiluted vodka to remove paint from clothes

- Use vodka to remove hair dye from your skin.

Have you given any of these uses for Vodka a try?

If you get a chance to test any of these vodka theories please let me know.

Let's Talk About Hair Shall We?!

Of course we all know every one's hair is different from the texture to the cut, no ones hair is exactly a like but the one thing most of us have in common is that we lust after healthy beautiful hair.
Ive done some research into achieving healthy lush locks and wanted to share some interesting tricks & tips that you can try at home.

Looking for more shine? The secret is eggs!!
Try this: Lightly beat two eggs mixed with some milk and run throughout your hair. Leave on for 5 minutes, rinse and you'll see a shine instantly.
Interestingly enough if you want your pooch to have a shiny coat as well add an egg over their food once a month :)


Is Dandruff an issue? Is your dandruff shampoo just not working fast enough?
Try this: Crush 2 aspirins into your dandruff shampoo and watch how fast that dandruff clears up. Be sure to use a good moisturizing conditioner afterward.


Do you have staticy locks? Does your hair attract static no matter how much hairspray you use?
Try This: Use Static Guard! Spray about 7 inches from your hair lightly. Or try spraying it on your comb or brush and then running it through your hair. Hey it works on fabric why not hair!


Are your greasy strands getting you down? Here's a quick fix that you probably have at home!
Try This: Use the baby powder! Rub it into the roots of your dry hair to soak up oils. You don’t have to shower to take out the baby powder, but be sure to shake the excess powder out. Corn starch should work the same way.
Or why not try blotting your scalp with an oil-blotting strip made for the face?!


Looking to add some natural highlights to your hair? Works best for blonde's or gals with light brown hair but should work for most shades.
Try This: Add a bit of juice from a freshly squeezed lemon with water and pour into a spray bottle. Before heading out in the sun spray your locks making sure to spray evenly all over. Lemon juice mixed with sunlight will lighten any hair naturally!


Looking for a way to deep clean your scalp and roots? Try a hair cocktail!
Try This: Add a splash of vodka (YES Vodka) to your bottle of shampoo. The alcohol cleanses the scalp, removes toxins from hair, and stimulates the growth of healthy hair.


Want healthy hair? Increase your herbal intake!
Try This: Increase your intake of these herbs to help with the following issues.
1. Sage: Excellent for weak hair.
2. Rosemary: Enhances dark hair
3. Chamomile: Promotes healthy hair growth.
4. Catnip: Promotes hair growth
5. Burdock Root: Promotes hair growth and reduces hair from falling out


Whether you are trying to solve a problem or just improve the overall appearance of your hair these tips and recipes will help you on your path.

Do you have a hair recipe to share? Have you tried any of the above?