Keep Your Lips Soft This Winter: 3 Easy Ways!

Since I've started playing around with lipstick, I've definitely realized the importance of having smooth, soft lips! Cold weather has a funny way causing peeling and cracking that no amount of hydration or lip chap (Side note: What happened to Saaphyri?) can fix. But don't worry, there are a few ways to get your lips kissably soft just in time for meetings under the mistletoe, that magical New Year's Eve smooch, and special time with your Valentine!

The Buy Way
Purchase an exfoliating lip scrub to buff away the dry, dead skin off of your lips to reveal the soft skin underneath.  I have used the Two-Step Satin Lips set from Mary Kay with good results. It comes with a lip mask to exfoliate your skin and a lip balm to provide moisture.  If you are feeling fancy, check out the Bliss Fabulips treatment kit.  This four-piece system includes a lip cleanser (a product I didn't know even existed), an exfoliating lip scrub, a lip balm, and a lip plumper to get your lips in tip top shape.

The DIY Way
I am a kitchen beautician who probably spends more time in the kitchen whipping up hair and beauty mixes than preparing meals. If you are anything like me, you should try creating your own lip scrub using basic items in your kitchen. All you really need is a little honey and a little brown sugar--the honey provides moisture and anti-bacterial properties while the grittiness of the brown sugar works as an exfoliant. After rubbing your DIY scrub onto your lips, you can just like the sweet mix off! (Although, lip licking dries out your lips--I guess that's why LL Cool J did it so often!)


The Free Way
If you don't want to spend any money or time mixing up a new beauty product, try brushing your lips with a wet toothbrush.  I read about lip brushing years ago in an old Teen magazine and it was described as a way to make your lips plump and red...while your lips may look a little more full immediately after you do it, the main benefit is that the toothbrush gently exfoliates your lips, ridding them of the dead skin that peels and makes your lipstick look yucky.  Using a moist washcloth to rub your lips would also do the trick!

How do you keep your lips soft and supple? Share your best tips in the comments!

OOTD: Black (and Rust) Friday

Hey! Hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving and a safe Black Friday shopping excursion! I was out and about at midnight, came home for a quick nap and headed back out at about 7am to shop some more! Needless to say, I've been in the house sleeping, eating, and watching Netflix all day. In the spirit of Black Friday, I wanted to share a simple black and rust look I wore out recently for drinks with friends.

Did you catch any good deals today? Are you still in a food coma from Thursday? Feel free to share!

Outfit details: Blazer, Jeans: Old Navy / Blouse: Forever 21 / Clutch: Asos / Boots: Steve Madden Luxe / Earrings: Target

OOTD: Ain't Nothin But A Hound's Tooth

Blazer: Old Navy / Top: Dorothy Perkins (similar 1) (similar 2) / Jeans: Old Navy / Boots: Steve Madden / Bag: Steve Madden

Lately I've really gotten into hounds tooth print. I bought this cute sheer top from Dorothy Perkins that transitions from a houndstooth print in the front to a bird print in the back. I also bought an amazing hounds tooth blazer that will definitely be making an appearance on the blog in the near future!

As you can see, I got another long, curly sew-in.  This is the same as the hair I had over the summer (Halley's Curl Creole Wavy) but this time in 12" and 14" lengths.  I also sealed the wefts this time before the install, so hopefully there is minimal shedding and I can wear this hair until after New Year's.

Side Note: See all these leaves? There is a yard under there, but what's funny is that this is how it looks less than 2 weeks after using a leaf blower...and there are a lot more leaves ready to fall...No more yard work until after the holidays lol!

Act Like A Ladi...Dress Like A Diva: Slightly Retro

When I wore this outfit I was told that my blouse and  wedge heeled boots were reminiscent of the 1970s, hence the title of this post.  

Blouse: JCPenney (similar)  / Jeans: Old Navy / Boots: NYLA / Bag: Steve Madden

This blouse from JCPenney has a slightly boxy fit with a high-low hem, but I chose to tuck it in for a more fitted look. My hair is styled in a flat twist-out, and it is the last twist-out I'll be doing for a while since I just got a new sew-in! I'll post pics soon! 

Ladi Like PSA: The Limited 50% Off Sale

There has been a lot of mixed opinions about Black Friday, and some retailers' decision to turn Thanksgiving day into "Black Thursday." Some retailers are trying to get ahead of the game by offering sales and discounts as early as this weekend.  The Limited is getting into the action by offering 50% original priced items Saturday before 2PM.  Don't worry if you miss the 2pm deadline because after 2 they are still offering 40% off!