DIY Coconut Lip Scrub and The Benefits of Coconut Oil

Hello Gorgeous! 


Do you crave kissable lips?  Here is how to make your own lip scrub out of coconut oil, honey, and brown sugar. It is also edible. YUM!!!


How to make your lip Scrub:
1.  mixing bowl
2.  2 tbs of coconut oil
3.  1 tbs of brown sugar
4.  1 tsp of honey to bind it all together
5.  Mix everything together and put into a cute little container (I used baby jars). 

My lips after I used my homemade scrub. Super soft!

There are so many benefits of coconut oil that has many people rushing to the supermarket to buy a jar.  Now you can add it to your beauty regimen.  


The Benefits for Skin:
It delays wrinkles, and sagging of skin.  Coconut oil also helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema, and other skin infections.  


The Benefits for Hair:
It helps in healthy growth of hair!  Before you wash your hair massage your head with coconut oil and this will help free your scalp of dandruff.  It even will rid hair of lice and lice eggs!  Most people use this oil daily on their hair after a bath.  Coconut helps in the re-growth of damaged hair.  I use this every couple of weeks!


FYI:  When you buy the jar of Coconut Oil it comes in a solid form and can be a bit pricey, but it is totally worth it (I spent $7).  You won't use the whole thing for the lip scrub so use it for your hair, face and body!

New FDA Labeling Guidelines for SPF!

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If you propbably don't know already the FDA has changed the regulations on ingredients in sunscreen bottles.  Here is what you are expected to see!

DIY Hair Mist!

Hello Gorgeous!  


I know that sometimes hair can use a pick me up!  Why not mist your hair with your own favorite scent?  Mine is gardenias.  I love the smell, in fact I have a huge gardenia candle burning in my apartment now!


Really all you need is a spray bottle, some bottled water, and your favorite scented oil.


Put a cup of water in the spray bottle along with 7-10 drops of the scented oil.  Shake and mist all over your hair!  Your hair will look great and smell fabulous at the same time. 

My New Favorite Beauty Product! Almond Milk!

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My new favorite beauty product is something you drink! Seriously!!! Almond Milk has great health benefits (better than regular milk) and it is great for the skin too and only 40 calories a serving! 


Here is what is super great about this milk!  


Every serving of pure almond milk contains 50% of our recommended daily value of Vitamin E.  Vitamin E is a powerful nutrient that contains antioxidants that help regulate Vitamin A use.  It also acts as the primary regulatory nutrient that improves skin health!  


Not only does almond milk help your skin it helps keep our eyes functioning properly.  Vitamin A directly influences the eye's ability to adjust to differences in light.  I always pride myself on my perfect vision and would love to keep it that way.  

This wonder milk is packed with tons of fiber, it is low in carbs and sugars, and great for bones and muscles as well.  Did I forget to mention how wonderful it is for the heart?  Well, it is super low in sodium and that is great for the heart.  Diets low in cholesterol and sodium are the staple to maintaining a healthy heart, and almond milk is great for that. 

So the next time you are at the grocery store stop by the milk section and give almond milk a try (I buy the unsweetened one because it has 0 sugars). 

Best Drugstore Purchase of the Week!

Hello Gorgeous!


I went ahead and strayed from my normal purchase of shampoo and bought the Organix Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner. I normally use Tresme's 24hr Body Shampoo and Conditioner.  I really have been loving this duo.  It smells wonderful and makes my hair feel super soft and silky.  The best price for this is at Wal-Mart for $6 and some change.  For me this was a huge splurge, but well worth the money.  There is only 13 fl. oz. in these and since I only wash my hair 2 times a week I didn't mine spending the money. 

DIY Hot Oil Treatment for Your Tired Dry Hair!

Hello Gorgeous! 


People always ask me about my hair. How is it so gorgeous and lush?  They always ask what I use. I actually buy drugstore shampoo and I don't smoke or drink (that's gross).  The secret to gorgeous hair is simple!  Don't spend tons of money on shampoo and conditioner because all you are doing is masking the problem.  I truly believe in investing in a great blowdryer (T3 is the best. It is pricey, but won't damage your hair), some Aragon Oil, and a ceramic round brush.  If you haven't heard of Aragon Oil you need to know about it.  It has been around for thousands of years for Moroccan women.  They have gorgeous skin and hair. 


FYI:  my secret to keeping my hair very healthy is after I wash it I leave my towel on for 2-3 hours and let the water soak up into the towel.  This cuts the time in half for drying time.  If you dry your hair when it is really wet you will damage your hair because the heat from the dryer sucks up the water quickly leaving the shaft parched and brittle.  This is what makes your hair look dry and damaged. With a iconic blow dryer you will gently dry your hair into luscious locks of love. 

Here is my hot oil treatment that I concocted and use on my hair every 1 to 2 weeks depending on dryness. 


1.  3 tsp. of olive oil
2.  1 tsp. honey
3.  sauce pan
4.  wide tooth comb
5.  towel
6.  shower cap




Step 1:  combine olive oil and honey in a saucepan and heat the mixture over high heat until it boils.


Step 2:  remove the sauce pan and allow to cool down.  Stir the olive oil and honey so they are blended well.


Step 3:  Put the mixture into your hair and comb through.


Step 4:  Wrap you hair around into a high bun and put the shower cap on and leave it for 30 minutes. 


Step 5:  Shampoo your hair.

DIY Fragrance Body Powder!

 Body powder, my favorite fragrance,
and my glass container for my powder

Hello Gorgeous!


Just recently I have been into putting body powder all over my body.  It feels silky soft and is super luxurious!  The only thing is Tom Ford doesn't make a body powder in my favorite scent Tobacco Vanille, so I decided to make my own.




Here is how to make you very own fragrant body powder and what you will need.


1.  a cotton ball
2.  a glass jar (mason jar is good)
3.  your favorite perfume
4.  body powder from the drugstore
5.  something cute to keep it in (Dollar Tree had great glass containers)


Step 1:  Drench the heck out of your cotton ball (I used 40 sprays)

Step 2:  Place the cotton ball in the bottom of the jar and dump the body powder in after it (leave some room at the top of the jar so you can shake it).

Step 3:  Put the lid on tight and do the shake it hard!


Step 4:  This is the hard part because of the waiting period.  Let it sit for 10-14 days, shake it up a bit every day.  Let it "cure"


Step 5:  After it has cured put it in your gorgeous glass container and use it!  You will love this and smell like a dream!

Photographic Artist Monique Diaz Layzell

Hello Gorgeous! 


I remember a quote the famous supermodel Carol Alt used to say, "I wish I looked like Carol Alt!"  The reason she said that was because of how her makeup artist and photographer worked their magic to make her look amazingly flawless.  If you look at all those photographs of celebrities you can see they have had their photos altered to look more flawless.  I think it is an amazing luxury to have that done and I know someone who is super talented and can give you that experience of looking glamorously flawless!  


Monique Diaz Layzell is a Photography Artist that does amazing photo retouches on any photo.  Monique has always had a passion for fashion and art since a very young girl.  She went on to receive a degree in Fashion Design and History from a college in London, England.  Although she lived in England for many years she is a Texas Girl from Dallas!  Monique has worked as a makeup artist for many years, which allows her to retouch and enhance images in a professional view.  Her view as an artist is this: "My photography allows me to show how I view the world and create art." 


Recently she has done some of my photos and even the one for this blog up at the top.  I never knew I could look like that!  She can do any photo you want retouched!   Graduations, weddings, and anniversaries are just a few from the list that can go on and on.  


Here is some of her wonderful work! 

I requested violet eyes for this one!

My beauty blog banner!

For more information on her work click on link below.

http://moniquelayzellphotographicartist.com/