D.I.Y Homemade Facial Masks

Forget about spending money at your local spa, when you can get great skin with the ingredients from your kitchen! Treat yourself with these easy, homemade facial masks. 

Banana Facial Masks

You can use a banana as an all-natural, homemade facial mask that moisturizes your skin and leaves it looking and feeling softer. Mash up a medium-sized ripe banana into a smooth paste, then gently apply it to your face and neck. Let it set for 10 to 20 minutes, then rinse it off with cold water. Another popular mask recipe calls for 1/4 cup plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons honey, and 1 medium banana.

Vinegar Facial Masks

Vinegar can be used as a skin toner. After you wash your face, mix 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar with 2 cups water as a finishing rinse to cleanse and tighten your skin. You can also create a homemade facial mask by mixing 1/4 cup cider vinegar with 1/4 cup water. Gently apply the solution to your face and let it dry.

Milk Facial Masks

Make a mask by mixing 1/4 cup powdered milk with enough water to form a thick paste. Thoroughly coat your face with the mixture, let dry completely, then rinse with warm water. Your face will feel fresh and revitalized.

Oatmeal facial Masks

Combine 1/2 cup hot—not boiling—water and 1/3 cup oatmeal. After the water and oatmeal have settled for two or three minutes, mix in 2 tablespoons plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons honey, and 1 small egg white. Apply a thin layer of the mask to your face, and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Then rinse with warm water. 

MRS

Cannot get enough Beauty Boxes!

Target just released their beauty box for this season. The previous price including shipping was $5, but this time is $7. If you decide to purchase it, see below for the items that you will receive.

If you compare the Target Beauty Box with the Wal-Mart version of it, I would prefer the Wal-Mart’s box. See our review for it here. These boxes are still available; you only pay $5 including shipping.

Will you be getting one?

NS

Beauty Boxes Revealed!

Wal-Mart just introduced two seasonal boxes: a beauty box and a baby box. Both of these are free of charge; however you will have to pay a flat rate shipping of $5.

I just got my Beauty Box this past weekend and see below for the items that they sent me. Please note that every box is different but most of the items are the same.  Overall for the items that I did receive it was worth the $5.

Birchbox sent me my September Box. To be honest, I am somewhat disappointed with the items that I received; the samples were very small and did not peak my interest. Hopefully next month will be better.

NS

Wal-Mart Sample Boxes for Free

Who doesn't love free items? Wal-Mart just introduced two seasonal boxes: a beauty box and a baby box. Both of these are free of charge; however you will have to pay a flat rate shipping of $5.

The baby version you can customize; choose the gender and the age of the baby.

I just signed up for the beauty box… will you?

Repost* Our First Giveaway, Two Days Left!

Our three month anniversary is approaching and since we look for any reason to celebrate we are giving away a mini box with great samples to try. 

 Stila CC Cream 

Nexxus® Color Assure™ Pre-Wash Primer

Nexxus® Color Assure™ Vibrancy Retention Shampoo

Nexxus® Color Assure™ Vibrancy Retention Conditioner

OPI Sheer Tints Color-Tinted Top Coat

Soak Handmaid Hand Cream

COVERGIRL Bombshell Shine Shadow by LashBlast™

What do you need to do to get this box? Simply leave a comment below and you will be entering for a chance to win this. The winner will be selected on August 27, 2014 and will be contacted via email. Only valid for continental US.

NS

Birchbox August 2014 & Coupon Code

Birchbox is a monthly beauty subscription box that sends you 4-5 samples items for you to try, the cost for this is $10 plus tax. If you leave a review for each sample, you can get 10 points and for each 100 points you can get $10 off on your full items purchase at BirchBox.

This month you were allowed to choose a sample or to choose The Evergirl Box. This month box was not one of my favorite. See below of the products that I received:

Number 4™ Super Comb Prep & Protect (In love with it)

Harvey Prince Hello - 50 ml

Benefit They're Real! Push-Up Liner

Not Soap, Radio Body Wash

Acure Organics Brightening Facial Scrub Sea Kelp + CGF

Currently, Birchbox has two limited edition boxes: Mass Appeal 2014 Birchbox for CEW and Prestige Headliners-  2014 Birchbox for CEW. If you purchase the boxes together, you will automatic get $5 off getting both boxes for $28. You can also use the promo code mobile20 with a purchase of $50 or more to get 20% off. 

      Prestige Headliners                        Mass Appeal 2014 

NS

Lets Celebrate Together! (Our 1st Giveaway)

Our three month anniversary is approaching and since we look for any reason to celebrate we are giving away a mini box with great samples to try. 

 Stila CC Cream 

Nexxus® Color Assure™ Pre-Wash Primer

Nexxus® Color Assure™ Vibrancy Retention Shampoo

Nexxus® Color Assure™ Vibrancy Retention Conditioner

OPI Sheer Tints Color-Tinted Top Coat

Soak Handmaid Hand Cream

COVERGIRL Bombshell Shine Shadow by LashBlast™

What do you need to do to get this box? Simply leave a comment below and you will be entering for a chance to win this. The winner will be selected on August 27, 2014 and will be contacted via email. Only valid for continental US.

NS

Birchbox (Get want YOU want)

Personally, I am not a makeup fan and I don’t spend hours at Sephora, but Birchbox has changed my beauty lifestyle. This month you can pick one of your samples or pick the Affordable Luxuries box in collaboration with The Everygirl. I choose The Everygirl Box which will be filled with products that each cost $35 or less in full size as you.

Birchbox is a monthly beauty subscription box that sends you 4-5 samples items for you to try, the cost for this is $10 plus tax. If you leave a review for each sample, you can get 10 points and for each 100 points you can get $10 off on your full items purchase at BirchBox.

Currently, Gilt.com has an amazing offer for new Birchbox subscriber. You can get an annual subscription for $99, plus you will get an extra $25 to spend at Birchbox.com or at their store in Soho NYC.

NYCMiss does not get commission on the review or ‘promotion’ of Birchbox, but I LOVE them so much that I can talk about them every day! 

NS

Are you a BirchBox subscriber?

If you are a BirchBox subscriber and planning to purchase a few items use this promo code Nextboxfree to get your August Box for FREE! This offer is only valid starting today to July 23^rd with the purchase of $75 or more.

Want to see what I got in my box this month, check my review here.

If you want a better deal, use promo code Mobile20 to get 20% of your purchase. Remember to leave a review for each sample you get, and use those points to purchase full items at the store (can be combined with promo codes for further savings)

NS  

Salon Professional Haircut for Nothing or Almost Nothing

I must confess...  I used to get free haircuts and styles by the junior staff at Ted Gibson Salon.

 

The Ted Gibson Salon is located on 23^rd street and Fifth Avenue and a few stores down is the Starbucks that I worked @ during my college years. Because of this, most of the hairstylist and Ted Gibson himself would come to Starbucks and would offer my co-workers and I free haircuts and style. This is the biggest kept secret in NYC Salons; they offer a wide range of free services for the junior staff to practice with. The junior staff members from top salons are qualified, and very experienced; They are also supervised. I am not sure if Ted Gibson Salon still offers the free services but click this link for other salons like Aveda for a fraction of the price.

Note: I was very vocal about the style, cut and color that I wanted. The stylist will take that into consideration but ALWAYS ask what they have in mind BEFORE they start. 

NS

Makeup Mistakes – Look Younger NOT Older!

I believe that your choice of clothing and make-up can highlight your sense of style, compliment your best features, and keep you looking fresh and full of life! However, sometimes these choices can backfire: a not so flattering dress that sags in all the wrong places, or a shade of makeup that emphasizes wrinkles. Women don't always update their fashion and beauty routines as they get older, but they should; otherwise, the same products and pieces that once worked so well for them could suddenly give away their real age-or worse, make them look even older than they really are!

 

Here are a few tips that I found online that can help you look younger and more rejuvenated:

1 – No Blush - Our faces lose color as we age, leading to a washed out complexion that makes blush all the more important. Blend a cream formula onto the apples of your cheeks for a lit-from-within glow.

 

2 – Too Much Foundation – Caked up foundation just emphasizes the wrinkles on the face as the make-up settles into fine lines. Instead, use a damp sponge to apply a single light layer of moisturizing foundation (not matte or long-wearing), which will hydrate skin and deemphasize creases.

3 – Dark Lipstick - As we age, our lips become thinner, and dark lip colors actually make the mouth look smaller. Stick to bright or light colored lipsticks and add a dab of gloss in the center to plump your pout.

 

 

4- Eyeliner Around the Entire Eye - Solid dark eye liner can be very harsh, creating sharp lines that can bring out crow’s feet and make eyes look smaller. Instead, line only the outer three quarters of the eye, and smudge your liner with a Q-tip or angled brush to soften the look. Use a brightening shade to highlight the inner corners.

 

 

5 - Too Thin Eyebrows - Eyebrows thin out and fade with age, which is why fuller brows make most faces look more youthful. Use an angled brush to fill in thin brows with a powder one shade lighter than your natural brow color.

MRS 

BirchBox July '14

Birchbox is a monthly beauty subscription box that sends you 4-5 samples items for you to try, the cost for this is $10 plus tax. If you leave a review for each sample, you can get 10 points and for each 100 points you can get $10 off on your full items purchase at BirchBox.

This month’s box was in collaboration with Women's Health Magazine. As a special lifestyle bonus, every box comes with an annual subscription to Women's Health Magazine for free! If you decide to opt out of the subscription, you will get $9.99 back. Remember to leave a review for each item in order to receive the 10 points.  

See below for a list of products I received:

Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint 

Marcelle New·Age 8 in 1 Power Serum

RUFFIAN Nail Lacquer - Rosary (BirchBox gave me the option to choose the color)

RUFFIAN Dressing Room Nail Lacquer Remover Towelettes 

Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner (Navy)

Harvey Prince Hello Body Cream 

Annual Subscription to Women's Health Magazine 

NS

Beauty Tips for Everyone!

Even if you aren’t the most girliest of girls, I think anyone can appreciate these simple beauty tips. I searched around and found some pretty cool do’s, don’ts and tips, check them out now:

 

1 - Shave With Conditioner
If you're out of shaving cream, lather your legs with conditioner instead of soap. Conditioner will soften the hair on your legs making it easier to shave (and it will leave your skin feeling extra silky).



2 - Rinse Hair With Beer Or Vinegar
Rinsing your hair with beer helps restore moisture to your locks while using vinegar will up the ante in shine. Soak your hair in either liquid (not at the same time) for a few minutes, then rinse with cold water.







3 - Turn Up The Heat

For curlier, flirtier lashes, the experts at You Beauty recommend heating your lash curler with a hair dryer for five to eight seconds before curling them

4- Use an ice cube a day to keep the fat, acne and wrinkles away.

It’s OK to admit that this doesn’t sound fun, but if it will keep fat cells, acne and wrinkles under control, it is well worth it. Before you go to bed, grab an ice cube and massage it over your face.

 

5 - Soothe Your Stomach.. And Your Face

Apparently Pepto-Bismol isn't just a stomach soother, it can also be used as a facial mask. It contains bismuth subsalicylate, which is commonly found in facial creams. Spread two teaspoons of Pepto-Bismol on your face, then let it dry for 15 to 30 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.

 

 

6 - Lighten Hair With Chamomile Tea And Lemon Juice

Rinse your hair with a mixture of chamomile and fresh lemon juice instead of conditioner to permanently lighten your locks. Allow your hair to dry while sitting in the sun or use a blow dryer — the heat will lighten your locks.

 7. Toothpaste Zaps Pimples
You've heard it before — don't pop your zits! Apply a bit of toothpaste to a pimple before bed and washing it off with warm water when you wake up in the morning. Toothpaste draws impurities out of clogged pores and dries the skin and shrinks the pimple. Opt for organic toothpastes rather than gel toothpastes which don't work as well.

MRS

The Magic of Tea

My goal every day is to drink several glasses of unsweetened iced green tea, especially during the summer days that are 90 degrees and more. This is a great way to stay hydrated and also provides great benefits for my skin and health. Most of us know that a cup of green tea every day will reduce cancer and can also boost exercise endurance, but you can use tea for beauty purposes too!

Eliminate Foot Odor- Soak your feet in strongly brewed tea for 20 minutes to eliminate odor.

 Natural Shine to Hair- Use a liter of warm, unsweetened tea (freshly brewed or instant) as a final rinse after your regular shampoo

Eye De-Puffer- Use two brew teabags, placed them under your eyes for 15 minutes. Relax and enjoy.

Bonus- This skin care tip will tight and deflates puffiness. Use filtered water and a chamomile teabag, then pour into an ice cube tray and freeze. Use two cubes and gently massages your face, this will help with any swelling or inflammation.

Will you be trying this soon?

NS

BirchBox Promo Code

If you are debating on trying BirchBox, but not willing to pay the full price, see below for the coupon code for an annual membership. 

 

For $99 you can get an annual membership (12 boxes) by using the promo code BBSUBYEAR at checkout. Click here for my review for the March Box. Remember, if you leave a review per each sample you receive you can get 10 points which equals to $1 to spend on any full size items. 

BirchBox is a monthly beauty subscription that sends your 4-6 samples (sometimes they include a full size item) based on your profile. 

NS