May Favorites!

Yes! I have been waiting all month to do this post, and I am so excited I can finally do it! Well, here are some of my favorite products from the month of May…

Aloe Vera: Haha, this one is sort of like a joke, but not really! I just got the worst sunburn over Memorial Day weekend, and I am bugging out because it hurts so bad. Though, aloe vera has become my new best friend for a little while…J

OPI’s Steady as She Rose: This has become my go-to nail polish of the month! I love this color. At first, it looked like a pinky-rose color, but now it looks like a lavender-rose color. Either way, I have been wearing it non-stop this entire month!

Flowers: I have been obsessed with flowers this entire month! I actually went out and made flower hair pins to pin in my hair with a bun or a braid. Actually, yesterday, when I was lying out on the beach in my orange and yellow bikini, I put the orange flower clip in my hair to tie the whole ensemble together haha!

Aveeno Active Naturals Continuous Protection Sunblock for Face SPF 30: Last summer, I put this sunscreen on every single day, and always got sunburned on my cheeks! Now I have worked out a sunblock routine: I apply two coats of this all over my face, and then any sunblock stick I have hanging around, I apply that on my nose and cheeks on top of the sunblock. I haven’t been burned at all! (I wish I could say the same for the rest of my body…)

 

Bath and Body Works Stress Relief Hand Soap in Eucalyptus Spearmint: I bought this in the lotion form for my mother on Mother’s Day, and she loved it just as much as I did! So, when the hand soap was on sale for 50% off, I had to pick it up, and I have been loving it!

Sephora Advanced Lash Booster Mascara in Black: I received this as a gift and I just opened it this month. This mascara is clump-free, incredibly lengthening AND volumizing, and I can’t talk enough about it! I love it! And the price ($12) is more than a bargain for such mascara. Definitely my go to mascara for now on!

Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Shampoo: I have tried this shampoo with the conditioner before, and it wasn’t my thing. Though, I picked it up again, and with a different conditioner, it is absolutely incredible: I am never going to switch again! (Now I just need to find the perfect conditioner…)

Bath and Body Works’ Country Chic Collection: I first smelled this collection while shopping with my best friend, and we both loved it so much, we bought each other it! We got the fragrance spray. However, since I am basically out of shower gel and the Hello, Yellow! sale starts June 10; I think I can wait just a few more days to pick it up in shower gel and lotion form to enjoy it just as much!

So there are my favorites for the month of May, I hope you enjoyed them!

Have you tried any of these products? Your thoughts? Do you want to try any now that I have reviewed them? Leave your answers in the comments below!

Overdoing It: Beach Makeup

This is the first post in a new series called "Overdoing It." I started this series because I personally can't stand when I put an appropriate amount of effort into my makeup for the place I am going, and I see someone there who looks totally outrageous in what their makeup is, or their outfit. So, I thought that beach makeup would be the perfect first topic, because it is Memorial Day Weekend, and many people are at the beach, including me.

So I am at the beach today (if you didn't read the above), and I had no intention of going in the water. In my opinion, this is the ONLY condition to wear a little bit of makeup too the beach. If you do feel so inclined, like I did this morning, you can apply two coats of sunscreen, let it dry, then put waterproof mascara and/or tinteed moisturizer to your face. I didn't wear any tinted moisturizer today because (a.) I didn't bring any with me and (b.) it was boiling and it would just slide all over my face. So, I just wore a smidge of waterproof mascara, and was on my way.

I saw people--girls--today with cat-eye eyeliner, blush, bronzer, foundation, and wait for it--fake eyelashes. HELLO. YOU ARE GOING TO THE BEACH. TAKE IT ALL OFF. THIS IS INNAPROPRIATE AND UNNECCESSARY. The first girl I saw was cute--neon pink bikini and gold flip flops. And her hair was even tied up in a messy bun. But then I look at her face and...

Come ON! To be honest, you just look ridiculous when you wear so much makeup to the beach. Trust me, girls. Guys have actually told me that they prefer girls who wear the least amount of makeup possible at the beach. The beach is supposed to be fresh and clean and certainly not a MAC store.

And now, if you plan on going in the water, I really don't even think waterproof mascara is necessary. I mean, I understand that you want to put a little effort into yourself. Then do it someway else: add a cute pin to your swimsuit, fishtail braid your hair, match your flip flops. But don't come to the beach, and go in the water looking like you just came out of a Bobbie Brown studio!

I really don't mean to bash anyone who likes to wear a full face of makeup to the beach. I am just sharing my opinion. Honestly, I would love to hear one's opinion if they prefer makeup at the beach. So here come the questions:

Do you wear makeup to the beach? If so, why? If not, why? Do you think people look ridiculous when they wear makeup to the beach? Answer in the comments below. Happy Memorial Day!

TAG TIME!: Short & Sweet Tag

I found this tag on http://jesssicaaaaxx3.blogspot.com/ by Jessica. She did this tag over a week ago, and I decided to make it my first tag. So. Here we go!

 

1. What do you order at Starbucks?

Since I don't go too often, I normally vary it every time.

 

2. What's one thing in your closet that you cannot live without?

my sweats♥ ahah

3. What's one thing that most people probably wouldn't know about you?

I can sing, and everyone last year knew it. Now, I am in a situation with all new people, and no one knows I can sing. I sort of like it :)

4. Name one thing that you want to do before you die

I want to fall in love.

5. What's one food that you cannot live without?

Strawberries♥

6. What quote/phrase do you live your life by?

"The harder you build the walls around your heart, the harder you fall when someone tears them down." I love this quote because I personally can't stand that famous quote, "I build walls up around me to see who cares enough to knock them down." I absolutely despise this quote, because figuratively, if everyone builds walls up, then no one is going to knock them down. Then you just have a bunch of lonely people. So, that's my opinion. Maybe yours is different, but anyway...

7. What do you like and dislike about the YT community?

I hate the haters. Like, personally, I am almost 100% sure that if they had the chance to be paid to be given a product and to make an honest video about it, I'm almost sure everyone would take that opoortunity. Again, just my opinion.

8. What's your number one most listened to song on iTunes?

Recently? Edge of Glory by Lady Gaga

All Time? Landslide by Dixie Chicks

9. What kind of style would you define yourself as having?

romantically classic with a touch of bohemian every now and then.

10. Favorite number

6

11. Two hobbies

reading and watching makeup tutorials

12. Two pet peeves

stickers and tape. (dont ask...)

science class

13. Guilty Pleasure

terrrrrrrible movies♥ are my favorite

 

Update: My Quest to Go Longer Between Washes

Wow...I have such an original name for this post...

So, a little while ago, I posted that I was going to try to go four or five days in between washing my hair. Now, almost a month later, I am going to tell you that I failed that time span. It just wasn't working out. Instead, I decided to go two days in between washes, and my hair looks healthier than ever. I also have started a new shampoo, the extremely appraised Herbal Essences Hello Hydration. I ahve heard so many great things about this prouduct. Actually, I had used the shampoo and conditioner before together, and it was okay. Though, I think that the shampoo is actually better on its own with a conditioner from a different brand. Right now I am using it with Aussie's Sydney Smooth conditioner, and it's alright. I think I can find a better conditioner, although this one is fine. So, I have found my perfect shampoo that I now use each two days. Now, the quest to find the perfect conditioner!

Sorry for the last of posts lately, I truly am sorry. It's been almost a week since my last post. Hopefully none of you were missing me too much ;) but I am honestly sincerely sorry, and will try to get some new fun ideas for blog posts.

Have you tried my dream shampoo? Have any recommendations for ultra-hydrating conditioners? Have any ideas or suggestions for a new blog post? Leave them in the comments!! Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Shiny Hair and Moist Skin: Relaxation is Wonderful

I had a very rough day, and so I thought I would unwind from the day with a face and hair mask. I have dry skin, so I really wanted to moisturize it. So, I chose a moisturizing mask:

Ingredients: 1 tbsp. honey and 2 beat egg yolks

Combine egg yolks and honey with a wisk. Apply over face. Let sit for 20-25 minutes. Rinse off.

Then, I decided to relax my hair with a shine-inducing mask (but not grease-inducing!) because I used a lot of heat on it this week, and I think my hair needed a little TLC.

Ingredients: 5 tbsp. olive oil and 2 beat eggs

Combine both with a wisk. Apply on scalp, let sift through the rest of hair. Leave for 30 minutes. Rinse with cool water.

Give Yourself a Manicure!

So I was thinking about making a post about giving myself a manicure, because I am a nail polish junkie. It's a problem, I am aware. :P But, this is just a way that I do my nails to give myself a little break from life. :) Enjoy!

Give Yourself a Relaxing Manicure

Step 1: Play relaxing music. This won’t be a relaxing manicure without music! Don’t choose something too up-beat, classics are nice. Also, choose your nail color and get all of your materials together.

Step 2: Remove all nail polish. Even if you don’t have any nail polish on, color may be stuck in your cuticles, or skin.

Step 3: File and clip nails. You don’t always have to clip your nails, it is good to keep them at a healthy length. However, you should file your nails each time you give yourself a manicure because this keeps them strong and unbreakable.

Step 4: Apply cuticle oil/cream/butter and push cuticles back. Use a cuticle pusher, and push your cuticles back after applying a drop of cuticle oil and rubbing it in.

Step 5: Scrub your hands. Using a homemade or store-bought scrub and scrub gently on your skin. (A great homemade hand scrub recipe is shown below!)

Step 6: Apply lotion. Exfoliate your hands with a rich cream or lotion.

Step 7: Take off your nail polish…again. Though you won’t have any on now, you need to get off any excess scrub or lotion, and nail polish remover is the way to do it.

Step 8: Apply top coat.

Step 9: Apply two coats of nail polish of choice to nails. The way I do my nails is I rest my elbows on a counter, then put one nice, adequate drop of polish in the back center of nail. I take the brush, and sweep it to the left side. I return to the drop of polish, and sweep it towards the right side. Repeat this so you have two coats.

Step 10: Let nails sit for about 2 minutes. Then, apply top coat. I just put an anti-chip top coat over my nails, then let them sit for two minutes.

Step 11: Apply top coat and/or fast dry drops. I use a Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat over my Rimmel Anti-Chip Top Coat to ensure that my nails won’t chip, and will dry fast—because I’m busy! You can use fast-dry drops as well. Wait about 30 seconds to a minute (depending ont eh product) and you should be set.

You are done! Go sport your nails around town! This normally takes me about less than 30 minutes, maybe 20 minutes! Now I am relaxed and ready to face the world with my newly polished nails. J

Note: If you want a video on this routine, let me know in the comments: I would be glad to!

It's Wednesday! We're Halfway There!

I decided to do another It's Wednesday! post because this morning I woke up and I was feeling really bad. I didn't want to go to school. I was super tired. I didn't look good. My hair wasn't cooperating. And I had a science test I didn't study for. Then, a few wonderful things happened:

1. My friend wrote me a note. She told me about how much she loves me and cherishes our friendship. This really touched me, and I started to feel better instanely.

2. A friend I was sorta/kinda close with told me my birthday. This may not seem such a big deal. Though, when you're having a bad day, and this friend who you aren't really close with says, "Hey Meg! You're birthday is in a few weeks!" it really brightens up your day to know someone cares and thinks about you.

3.  My English teacher threw away the period, and we watched comedians on YouTube. This was the highlight of my day.

So, I wanted to share my day with you guys, and encourage you to send some love and care towards another's way. Aristotle said, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle."

Also, here's some pictures and quotes to cheer you up!

"It's never too late to be who you might have been." -George Elliot

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” — Albert Einstein

“Laughter is the sensation of feeling good all over and showing it principally in one place.” – Josh Billings

“Get excited and enthusiastic about your own dream. This excitement is like a forest fire – you can smell it, taste it, and see it from a mile away.” – Denis Waitley

Essie: The Braziliant Collection!

So, Essie has been working up a huge hype for their new Braziliant Collection, that came out today. The collection features six new summer colors: Smooth Sailing, Braziliant, Absolutely Shore, Too Too Hot, Meet Me At Sunset, and Super Bossa Nova.

I discovered this new collection online about a month ago (?) and I have fallen in mad love with Smooth Sailing. Seriously, I have been eyeing it for a whilleeee! And unfortunately I am too busy to get it today, but tomorrow I am going to go to Target and buy it and either Braziliant or Absolutely Shore. (Read: Target has Essie nail polishes on sale this week for $7.79!)

So, tell me what YOU think! Do you like any of the new colors? Will you be purchasing any?

Also, I haven't forgotten about my posts about my hair and the days between washes posts! Be expecting another one this week!

Birchbox!: Get High End Beauty Products for $10 a Month

Hi there, everyone! I wanted to take the opportunity to talk to you all about Birchbox. (http://www.birchbox.com/) Birchbox is a company that sends you four to five high end beauty products each month....for only $10! Now, the products are deluxe sample sized. So, you may say, "Meg, I could go to any makeup counter and get samples for free, without paying $10." What do I say to that?? These are deeeeeeeeeluxe samples...that means that you can't get them this size for free. Birchbox gives you a chance to test out a high end beauty product before you make the plunge and spend the, many times costly, price for a product. I have started Birchbox myself, and I am going to keep you guys posted, if you like.

Let me know if you are interested in Birchbox, tell me your thoughts, feelings, I want to hear!

Old Navy Haul!

Hi everyone! I hope everyone had a great weekend! They're just way too short! Haha well today I also had another family party this time for a baby. Baby's first birthday! Haha well this morning I realized that I didn't have much to wear, and I had a 50% off coupon that I got offline that expired today, so I decided to go to Old Navy and pick up an outfit. And what I got was three skirts, a shirt, and a pair of wedges.

Let's start with the outfit I actually chose to wear today: This skirt (http://m.oldnavy.gap.com/product.html?dn=op839718022&dv=1&shopid=1&pdn=oc15292) with this shirt (http://m.oldnavy.gap.com/product.html?dn=op840433052&dv=1&shopid=1&pdn=oc5417) in the color rugby stripe. I got these shoes (http://m.oldnavy.gap.com/product.html?dn=op820563012&dv=0&shopid=1&pdn=oc55147) in brown.

I also got two other skirts because I have a few more events and parties coming up, and they were a great price. So I got this skirt in pink print (http://m.oldnavy.gap.com/product.html?dn=op841663012&dv=1&shopid=1&pdn=oc15292) as well as this one (http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=26193&vid=1&pid=839741) in a tie dye purple that i cannot seem to find online! :(

So, yeah, I hope this wasn't too boring. I don't know if I like doing hauls yet, so maybe I'm going to stop doing them. Please, I would love to hear your opinion. Do you like reading hauls? Or do you think they're just a way for people to show off the stuff they bought? Or do you think they're just plain boring?

OOTD and Sophisticated Updo!

Hi everyone! Hopefully everyone's having a fantastic Saturday. I had a family party today and I was really digging (lol digging??) the whole western/country/bohemian style. So I decided to wear a frilly floral racerback tank from the Lauren Conrad for Kohls Ciollection. I also wore a purple cotton skirt from old navy. (skirt: http://m.oldnavy.gap.com/product.html?dn=op841663032&dv=1&shopid=1&pdn=oc15292 the shirt is unavailable as of now! Sorry! I took off my outfit before I remembered to picture it) I tied it together with plain purple flip flops from old navy, natural makeup, a flower ring, and a swarovski necklace.
I did my hair in a beautiful but simple updo. Guys, I can't tell you how easy this hairdo was. Really.

1. Take a small section of hair above your ears from both sides, join them together with a clear elastic. Make sure there is room between the two mini-ponytails. 2. Then, put a clear elastic at the bottom of the rest of your hair.
3. Grab the low low pony and the joined mini ponies and pull them both together through the clear space between the mini ponies and stuff the hair inside itself.

You may need Bobby pins to secure this. I dint because I have thin hair.

I hope you enjoyed this hairdo! Leave me a comment if you did this and let me know how it turned out!

Mini ULTA Haul!

Hi! Two posts in one day?! Can I get a hoot hoot? *person in the back feebly mumbles "hoot."* Haha. So, I went to ULTA at like 8 PM tonight just to browse, even though it closed at 9 haha. But, I actually bought a few things that I am extremely eager to try. I didn't buy many things, only three, so that's why this is a mini-haul. Let's get started!

Tree Hut Shea Sugar Body Scrub in Brazilian Nut: I am obsessed with sugar scrubs right now! So far I have only made my own (if you want a recipe, let me know in the comments!), but I was eager to try some that a professional company had made. I started smelling these, and I first smelled the original shea body scrub, and it smelled delicious! Then, I moved on to the others, smelling each one. Then, I came across this one, and I was beside myself in how much I loved it! It was $6.99, and I had a 20% off coupon off of one item (http://search.ulta.com/nav/marketing/couponwk1564450s/0 valid until May 28!) So, it came out to $5.59 plus tax. I was ecstatic and I’m so excited to try it! Now I want a candle that smells like this!!

OPI Nail Polish in Steady as She Rose from the Pirates of the Caribbean Collection: My friend actually got this, and we’re going to share it. It’s a beautiful muted rose, and I think it would be perfected for toenails because I think toenails are always nice when they are more muted, and then you have nice pop of colors in your fingernails. So, I am super excited to use this on my toes tomorrow!

L’Oreal Paris Body Expertise Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Gelée: I my quest to find the perfect streak-free self-tanner, I purchased this by recommendations from two people, as well as the ULTA girl. I have tried so far four different self-tanners, and they all left a streaky appearance, and were terrible for me! So, I am super excited to use this as well! (Haha, I feel like I ended each of these product descriptions with “I am so excited blah blah blah haha”

Have you tried any of these products? Please let me know about your experience with them in the comments! Since this is my first-ever haul, the first three people to comment it, I will promote your blog in a separate blog. P.S. I changed the font and color! You like?

Stylish Blogger Award!

Hi, everyone! Have you ever been in the mood for a bad day, but everything that happens is just...good? No? Maybe not hahah. So many things have happened today, and even though I was ready for a bad day, I ahve decided to embrace the greatness of the day! I wanted to post this as soon as possible, so here goes it!

Alright, so the Stylish Blogger Award is an award that is sort of like a tag going around blogs right now. Think of a beauty blogger who is a great help, and posts things that you are genuinely interested in. Then, award them for it! It's THAT simple! So, I was awarded this by ♥Neelum♥ at Pretty Gorgeous XOXO. So THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!! I appreciate it so much! If you want to do this, here are the rules:

1. Thank and link back to the person who sent the award 

2. Share 7 things about yourself

3. Award recently discovered bloggers

4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award

 

My seven things about myself are:

1. I collect stuffed pigs.

2. I do not own a MAC product (but I want to!)

3. I made a horrible mistake of cutting my hair nine inches off in December!

4. I am obsessed with Essie Nail Polish.

5. History is the most interesting subject to me.

6. I am incapable of snapping my fingers.

7. I love Japanese pickles. OSHINKU

 

My bloggers who I think deserve this award are:

 

A Thing of Beauty

AllThatsPink1

Breakfast at Gracey's

 

Alright I think that's it! Pretty pretty please, if you have ANYthing you want me to review, another tutorial, or anything you want me to blog about....LEAVE IT IN THE COMMENTS!

 

Other than that, have a fabulous weekend, and I'll post later!

I Love It!: Laura Mercier Full Blown Volume Mascara

I recieved this mascara as a gift in December, but I didn't get the chance to open it until about April. I started using it, and immeditaely realized that this mascara applies so smoothly, with no hassle at all. Once the mascara dried, it make my lashes look so voluminous it was almost ridiculous! Now, I am not one to buy high-end mascaras, but if I were, I would defnitely recommend this to anyone looking for a voluminous mascara. Now, this is still $24 though. I would really recommend trying this out at a counter first.

Alright, that's it really. If you like these reviews, let me know in the comments! Have you tried this mascara?

What's in My (School!) Bag?

This is probably the oldest tag around, but I decided to do it because I always like watching other people's bag videos and blogs, and I hope other people will like mine! Here is what I carry in my bag:


Planner: I am super organized when it comes to school, and I have to make sure I have everything I need written down. So, I keep my planner with me at all times if I need to write a new due date down or something.


Contact Solution: If you wear contacts like me, at the end of your contact's life, thye may start to be dry or irritable. Obviously, you put new ones in at the moment. So, I go to the bathroom and re-insert my contacts so they feel moist and fine until I can throw them away.


Graphing Calculator: Nothing too interesting hahah....I have a Texas Instrument TI-83 Plus if you were wondering hahaha


Hand Sanitizer: I am absolutely obsessed with Bath & Body Works Hand Saniziter! (Read: I got this text today, in case you aren't signed up for B&BW texts, Bath & Body Works is having a sale now through Sunday that if you spend $30, $10 will be deducted.) I have five total right now, I'm not one who really hoards them haha. But in my bag I have just the fresh lemon one.


Pencil Case...with no pencils: Haha I always lose my pencils, but I still have my pencil case! I shoudl probably refill it this weekend while I have the chance. I have a Vera Bardley wristlet that I got as a gift that I use. =)


EOS Lip Balm: My little best friend! Literally, the first time I put this on my lips, it felt like silk or velvet. Sooo good! But, I think that because I use it so much, I have like grown immune to the smell of it or something lol, because when I first got it, it was soooo scented, in a good way. Now, when I sniff it, I can't smell a thing! Anyone else with EOS Lip Balm, has this happened to you?


Victoria Secret's PINK Fresh & Clean Body Spray: After gym, I always feel icky and sorts, so I keep this in my bag to spritz on me. I also own the Sweet & Flirty in the 8.4 oz bottle. I like the Sweet & Flirty better because it has more of a girly scent in my opinion. However, I use the Fresh & Clean after gym because well...it makes me feel fresh and clean hahah and because it's travel sized.


Gum: Everyone in schools knows me as the queen of gum. Like, literally I will be walking in the hallway and someone is like "gum girl! What do you got today?" and I won't even know them!! I have actually made friends from giving them gum bahahaahah. I always have multiple packs on me, it's my bad addiction. Right now I have Trident Layers Wild Strawberry & Tangy Citrus. I also have Extra Fruit Sensations Sweet Watermelon, but I ahven't opened it up yet. If you can't tell, I'm more of a fruity gum girl than a minty gum. Just never could get into it......


Coin Purse: I don't buy lunch, I bring it. But I always have my little coin purse on me with like 75 cents haha in case I want to buy water or something, because the vending machiens ahve flavored water and I looooovvveeee flavored water!


A Ribbon: I think I wore this one day a few weeks ago, but took it out during the day?


A (Broken) Mechanical Pencil: I prefer mechanical pencils to regular pencils because...well, this is going to sound superficial, but I think they look cuter! =\


A (Working) Mechanical Pencil: Wait! I do have a working pencil! Yes! (Too bad I didn't realize it earlier, when i had a math test today haha)


A (Another?!) Mechanical Pencil: Who knew??


A (Another) Broken Pencil:  hahaha, goos things don't last


A Mirror:  To check my makeup, of course.


Lip Gloss: Okay, well I have this thing of carrying lip gloss I don't use. I have two in my purse. I have the Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Lip Gloss in....well I don't know because it faded. But it has an orange color, like orange juice, and tastes real fruity. I also have a teeny tiny Clinique lip gloss I got from a friend in the color Azalea. I don't use bright colors on my lips, so I don't even know why I have this in my bag haha.


Laura Mercier Long Lash Mascara: This is definitely my favorite mascara right now! I keep this in my bag to use for any touch ups or something. To be honest with you, this is an expensive mascara...at least for me. I got this as part of a sampler set I got during Christmas. It was Sephora's favorite mascaras box. This was one of them, and I know why! I don't want to go into much detail about it here, because I am planning to do a review on it tomorrow, so go check that out when I post it!


Keys: Don't want to get locked out!


Colgate Wisps: I haven't actually used these yet. But, once I do, let me know in the comments if you would like to see a review on them? I actually bought these because (confession time) somethimes I am rushing out of the door so much that I don't brush my teeth (it's the very last thing I do before I leave) and I feel icky the entire day. So, I bought these last week, for a day that I am rushing so much that I can't brush my teeth. I don't know if they can be used as an alternative for brushing your teeth in the morning, but some days...you gotta take what you can get, you know?! So, yeah, let me know if you would want a review!


Alrighty, I hope that wasn't too boring for you. I know this week has been really slow with posts, and when i have posted it really hasn't been on beauty and stuff, but I am still getting used to it honestly, and I'm trying to balance everything and yeah. So if you want a review on anything mentioned here, let me know! Have a dazzling day, beauties!

Stressing Over School? Read This!

Let me tell you guys: I am absolutely up to my ears in schoolwork. But...that's the life of an honors student, right? I guess...But it's way too much. I have three tests in a row tomorrow! Then, Monday I have a paper due, and Friday I have two other papers due. It's way too much! I also have a book report on which I ahve yet to read the book! No, this blog post isn't goign to be just me complaining about stressing over school. I actually want to share with you some of my tips for when I get stressed out about school:

1. Make some tea. I don't know if it is my mind persuading me to calm down because I'm drinking tea, or if tea actually makes you calm down, butit works for me. Get one with a nice smell, like chamomile. If it's going to be a late night, make sure it's caffeinated. But, don't think of all the stuff you have to do when you sip the tea. Of course, work while you drink it, but take deep breaths every time you sip your tea. It really makes a difference.

2. Plan it out. If you know or think you may have a stressful week, plan it out. Heck, plan out your entire month if you have to! 98% of the time I don't stick to my plan, and I re-plan it again the next week. But, it calms me down, and shows me how much work I really do have.

3. Have someone stay up with you. If you are stressed about exams, and are planning on an all-nighter: invite a friend. Maybe they are taking the same exam, maybe not. For me, literally just having someone there calms me down, and makes me feel more relaxed. If you're taking the same test, you can study together!

I honestly, truly, whole-heartedly hope these tips will help you relieve stress during your finals, a busy week, or whatever. I am currently in the middle of studying for a test right now as well, so please let me know in the comments if any of these tips work for you, or any other things you do to relieve stress! I would love to know! Maybe I'll even put them in this post?!

Make Your Hair Less Oily, Thicker, and Healthy!

Sorry I haven't been posting in almost three days! Today I decided to blog about training your hair to go longer without washes.

Do you wash your hair everyday? If you answered, yes, time to change! If you answered no, you're on the right track! Many people often complain about how thin their hair is, and how it won't hold a curl or anything because it is so thin (Trust me, I was one of these people). 50% of the people who say this wash their hair everyday. Did you know that washing your hair everyday strips it of its natural oils to make your hair shiny, and ultimately results in thinner, flatter, more limp hair. Now, there is a way to train your hair to go longer between washes, and I'm going to tell you how to do it.

I am writing this post today because I figured it was time for a hair post, and because I am currently training my hair to go longer between washes. I stopped washing my hair everyday in about September of 2010. I went every other day for washing. It actually started to make my hair thicker, and more voluptuous! So, I decided that I would go a little longer between washes. I have chosen to go four days between washes. Now, I am not yet sure if this is too long for my hair. I am still testing it out. And, if all else fails, I can go three days in between, or two. This is honestly just a guess and check problem.

Now, how do you actually train your hair? First, decide the number of days you want to go between washes. I wouldn't start out with a full four. Try two days in between washes first. During this "training" process, DRY SHAMPOO WILL BE YOUR BEST FRIEND. (that will be your mantra for the training process: "DRY SHAMPOO IS MY LIFESAVER. DRY SHAMPOO IS MY BEST FRIEND." repeat this in your mind, as well as do as instructed, and your hair will be thick and healthier in no time ;] ) The day after you wash, your hair should look fine. It really shouldn't look oily and dirty. However, the second day, you will think your hair is oily and disgusting and you will run for your fruity smelling shampoo bottle. Stop right there, though! Takr your dry shampoo, and hold it up about 8-10 inches from your scalp. Spray lightly onto your hair, in the scalp area. (Read: If you have darker hair, you need to find a good invisible dry shampoo. Regular dry shampoos will make your hair look white and grey and not good! I recommend Oscar Blandi's Invisible Dry Shampoo ....a little pricey, but worth it! $23) Brush out your hair, evenly dispersing the dry shampoo throughout your hair. The dry shampoo will absorb any excess oil, and make your hair look fresh and renewed!

I would say that you should keep this process going for two to three weeks, and then your hair will start to get into a routine, and stop producing the excess oil that comes with second day hair.

I really hope I answered any questions you may have about training your hair. If you have any more, please feel more than free to leave them in the comments, and I will be sure to answer them! If you want to know how my little experience with training my hair is going, let me know in the comments, and I will do an update blog post.

Photo: http://www.weheartit.com/