http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt8ipUL5jMc

This is a challenge I’ve heard of for some time now, but surprisingly, it’s something I’ve never bothered to try.  The Castor Oil Challenge is a period of three months where you apply cold pressed, cold processed castor oil directly to the scalp several times a week in order to promote hair growth.

I’m a member on Hairlista, and challenges like this are always running amuck; this is probably the most popular of them all.  Why?  Simple: castor oil is known to grow and thicken hair within a reasonable amount of time. By reasonable, I mean fast.  A lot of people just use it to thicken up their edges, but several use it to grow their whole head.

So I’ve gone on hair journeys on and off for the last two years, and honestly, my hair has gotten nowhere!  Honestly, I’m sick of it.  I’m not disciplined enough, and I get really lazy.  I’ve been getting into the habit of oiling my scalp every day, so now doing this challenge shouldn’t be a problem.

There are three levels to the challenge:

Beginners: Apply castor oil to scalp two to three times a week

Advanced: Apply castor oil to scalp three to four times a week

Ultimate: Apply castor oil to scalp five to seven times a week

Also, you’ll need to add some of the oil to your deep conditioner as it acts as a humectant.  This means that the castor oil will draw in moisture from the air.

Castor oil is beneficial because it has antifungal properties (helping to keep your scalp clean) and has a high Vitamin E content (helping to increase blood flow in the scalp and encourage growth).  It’s packed with minerals and is probably one of the best oils your scalp will ever benefit from.  It’s important to get the oil when it’s cold pressed and cold processed because you want to get the oil when it’s still got all of it’s mineral properties; trust me, I’ve seen results of this challenge from other ladies, and you don’t want to miss out!

I’ll be partaking in this challenge starting next week.  I’m heading to the salon for a trim and I’d like to see my true results.  Hopefully, I’ll have a head full of hair in three months! Wish me happy hair growing!

PONDS DRY SKIN CREAM

I have eczema, so my drying skin is always a problem.  Summer’s ending, but I always need the extra hydration because the winter brings out the alligator skin in me… no bueno.  I picked this product up at Target because I needed a new moisturizer, and wanted to give this one a try.  The texture is really thick because this product is specifically made for skin that tends to dry out a little easier.  I’ve always wanted to try Ponds simply because the brand signifies femininity… who doesn’t want the most girly products in their cabinet? Over the last month, I’ve noticed a change in my skin.  I definitely have less dry spots, and my skin has improved in the elasticity department.  It feels more hydrated and it’s even glowing!  I have no complaints about this $5 miracle in a bottle!

CAROL’S DAUGHTER HAIR BALM

This product is something that I’ve owned before, but I never really realized how great it was until recently.  So, I’ve been on this “growing my hair out” kick lately and I’ve been noticing that my hair isn’t as moisturized as I need it to be.  I developed a new moisturize and seal routine:  spritz on my Elasta QP H2 Leave In and then follow up with this hair balm to seal in the moisture.  A little goes a long way with this stuff because it really is almost like a liquid form of your old school hair grease.  The ingredients are really nourishing to hair and it doesn’t contain any type of harmful chemicals or silicones (something I need to cut out of my hair diet).  Oils like sweet almond and coconut add moisture and the wheat germ contributes to strengthening and fortifying the hair.  Overusing this product will definitely show; your hair will weigh down and you’ll look like you’ve just went skinny dipping an a pool of Crisco… definitely not good!  A little dime sized drop for each quarter of your hair should be good, depending on the length.

HOME MIX OF JOJOBA AND PEPPERMINT OIL

So, back to this whole getting my hair to grow thing, I’ve decided to start applying just a little oil to my scalp two times a week to get a little stimulation going.  I took a DoGro oil bottle and filled it about halfway with the jojoba oil and then only put about a teaspoon of peppermint oil in it.  I’ve tried using a crapload of the peppermint essential oil, but it only makes my hair smell like a foot and tingles my scalp to death.  Jojoba oil is great for conditioning the hair; it’s also the one oil that’s closes to the oils that that our scalp produces.  It’s not too heavy and doesn’t have a strong scent.  The peppermint oil is great for creating circulation on the scalp; it’s soothing and tingling properties draw blood to the scalp and can eventually aid in hair growth.

These are the things that I’m loving right now, I’ve been off my makeup kick here lately because I’ve been trying to wear a little less.  I’m trying to get my skin and hair right; I’ll have a post about the steps I’m taking to achieve a more healthy me.  Hope you enjoyed reading!  What are some of your current skin and hair favorites?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k1rC8oeurg

The quality is great, it reminded me nothing of a cheap polish.  I did two coats of this and then applied Essie’s No Chip Topcoat.  I also love this packaging; it’s chic. simple and sleek.

Go and visit Lisi Cosmetics here and check out their amazing products!  You can check out my YouTube vid to see the other items I got.

A lovely rep sent me a neutral palette that’s great for fall.  She Wears It Well has nine graceful shades to give any blah face a pop of  glam.  So, let me start off by saying that the packaging is divine!  I love this leather black case because it’s got cracked, alligator print detailing along with antique gold trim.  I’m a sucker for details, and this palette is too cute to keep in my train case!  In fact, I’ve been storing it with my makeup on my dresser.  Upon opening the palette, you’ll find a mirror, nine fab shadows, and a double ended brush for application.  The mirror is also decked out with antique gold trim.  Only one of the nine shades has a bigger compartment than the others, and I’m assuming it’s because it’s the most adaptable color.

Let’s get into the shadows: even though this is a neutral palette, the shadows are still very versatile.  I’m a firm believer in dramatic shadows, but with mixing and playing around with shadows, these shadows can give you a number of looks.  Even the names of these shadows are glam: Trophy, Latte, Glow, Foxy, Sunset, Frosting, Onyx, Toffee, and Almond.   There are only three matte shades (Onyx, Toffee, and Almond) and the rest have a shimmered base.

Check out some pics:

Swatches:

Check out these two looks I created with this palette:

This look is pretty simple, yet elegant.  I really love these shadows because they go on really smooth and don’t have that chalky texture that some shadows have.  I applied Frosting on the browbone and then used Toffee as a blending shade on the crease.  Then, I applied Sunset all over the lid, and used Glow to blend the Toffee and Sunset shades together.  I also drug the Toffee shadow into my outer V.

This look, is also a simple one.  Did I mention that I love how blendable these shadows are?  I absolutely love this smokey eye.  I used Foxed on the outer part of my lid and blended the top part out with the Toffee shadow.  I applied Trophy on my browbone, and then applied a mixture of Almond and Sunset on my lid to blend it with Foxy.  Then (with a tapered blending brush), go ahead and apply Onyx into the crease and drag it down to your outer V.  Once you blend everything out, you’re left with a sultry finish.

RUN TO YOUR NEAREST SEPHORA AND GRAB THIS PALETTE! It’s only available for three more weeks!

Hope you enjoyed reading!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DVJMCmLZzo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCniVW1zXBg

I just discovered Laura in the Kitchen (whom I completely adore by the way) on YouTube and got the recipe or this amazing avocado salad.  I’m a guac lover, so I figured this would be close to it.  It’s also a nice, fresh dish for summer and its colors will amaze you!

You will need:

1 avocado

1 tomato

1/3 red onion

1 lime

Cilantro

Olive Oil

Sea salt & pepper to taste (I used Himalayan Pink Salt instead).

Check out how Laura makes this yummy dish here.

Avocados are being put out there in tons of campaigns because they are a superfood.  They can help to lower cholesterol, prevent cancer, and boost your nutrient intake.

What are you waiting for?  Get eating!  You’ll love this flavorful side dish, it already has me going back for seconds!

First up is one my all time faves: Fresh Mulberry by Liplicous.  You can find a whole line of these glosses at Bath and Body Works, but this one has been discontinued!  I was so upset when I found out, mainly because it’s one of the better shades. This sheer pink gives my lips the best pucker; the pink even looks like it’s my natural lip tone.  It lines my lips perfectly and gives just enough gloss to make my lips stand out.  It’s not overly glossy or sticky.

Next up is the Laura Buxom lip gloss from Bare Minerals.  I’ve tried a few Buxom lipglosses, but this one is intended to be a tinted one.  It gives you really nice Barbie pink tint while puckering your lips with it’s plumping formula; if apply a few layers, then you get a really nice glossy, matte pink lip.  This gloss has no glitters in it, so you get the true color with just a layer or two.

My last favorite is a double whammy.  If you follow my posts or my YouTube, you’ll know that recently I received the See and Be Seen kit from Anastasia Beverly Hills.  The two glosses that come in the kit are stunning on  my lip shape, and they even act like a lip stain once all the gloss has subsided.  That’s what I love most about the gloss, even though it doesn’t last, it still leaves it’s mark.  Their names are Heiress and Plastic, both fitting for the colors.  The glosses are a part of the HydraFull collection and they definitely moisturize.

Check out the swatches:

From left to right: Fresh Mulberry, Laura Buxom, Plastic, Heiress

Ciao Bella!  Hope you enjoyed reading!

What’s your favorite gloss?