Are you guilty of overusing hot tools to curl your hair? We were too…and our hair was not happy with us! The fact is, if you’ve convinced yourself that your hair is so unmanageable that you can’t go without heat styling, you may actually be contributing to the problem. Although using a curling wand or flat iron to give your hair some texture, tame those stubborn flyaways, and calm that unruly frizz, might seem like an easy fix, it’s actually doing your hair more harm than good in the long run.

Exposing your hair to heat—especially consistently and at a high temperature— causes breakage, dryness, and is overall extremely damaging. Think using a heat protectant means you’re immune to heat damage? Not exactly. While applying a heat protectant prior to styling can help reduce the effects of hot tools, your hair is still at risk. As well, if you bleach your hair regularly, heat styling your hair every time you wash it can increase dryness and make your hair more brittle. Basically, every time you wrap your hair around that curling wand or twist it around some hot rollers, you’re instantly zapping the moisture out of your hair making it more susceptible to breakage.

1. Lazy Curls for Lazy Days

Get Mimi’s look with220g Ombre Blonde Luxy Hair Extensions

If you’re a low-maintenance gal who often teeters between styling her hair and rocking a bun, lazy heatless curls are your perfect match. A ‘do that requires minimal effort, it’s ideal for when you’re working with second or third-day hair, if you want to achieve quick waves while you multitask, or are just having a lazy day. In the following tutorial, Mimi wears her 220g Ombre Blonde Luxy Hair extensions, however, this heatless hairstyle does not require hair extensions. 

STEP 1

Start off by pulling your hair up into a ponytail.

STEP 2

Spray small one-inch sections of hair with water so they are a little bit damp, wrapping each individually around your fingers to create a curl.

STEP 3

Use a clip to secure the curl against your scalp. Once you’ve worked through your entire head, let time work its magic.

STEP 4

Once your hair air dries completely, unpin the individual curls and take down your ponytail.

Get Mimi’s look with220g Ombre Blonde Luxy Hair Extensions

The result? Gorgeous, bouncy, va va voom curls without the hassle. You can even repeat the same technique on your hair extensions before you secure them to your head for a double dose of volume!

SHOP OMBRE HAIR EXTENSIONS

2. Runway Ready Heatless Waves

There’s something about the model-off-duty look that has a certain appeal. Minimal, no-makeup makeup, imperfect waves, and a classic outfit is the epitome of effortless-chic. This heatless waves tutorial will help you recreate the effortless runway bends you’ve always dreamed of, without a curling wand. All you’ll need to achieve this look are a few hair clips, hairspray, a spray bottle with water, and some hair wax.

STEP 1

Start at the base of your hair and work in small sections, using your spray bottle to dampen each section as you go. Begin wrapping each section of hair around your middle and index finger in the same way you would wrap your hair around a curling wand.

STEP 2

Repeat all over your head, pinning each curl into place as you go.

STEP 3

Finish off with some hairspray, leaving some time to allow your hair to set (usually about 40 minutes depending on the length and thickness of your hair).

Once you take down your curls, warm up some hair wax between your hands and apply it to your hair in a scrunching motion. This will help prolong the life of your heatless waves while giving you that coveted tousled look. Sounds pretty simple, right? RELATED POST

How to make your curls last longer

3. Heatless Headband Waves

Don’t have time to wait for your curls to dry? That’s okay! If you want a simple tutorial that doesn’t require multiple clips and pins, this technique is perfect for you since all it requires is a single headband.

STEP 1

With the headband around your head and your hair damp, begin by dividing your hair into two sections.

STEP 2

Then, twist each section away from your face wrapping each twisted section over and under the headband until you reach the end of your hair.

STEP 3

Use some hairspray to hold everything in place and let your style set. Be sure to let your hair dry completely before letting it down.

Finish off with some texturizing pomade for some added hold and definition and you’re done!RELATED POST

Hair Products 101: Everything You Need To Know

4. Bouncy Heatless Curls

If you have limp, fine hair and want to inject some bounce and volume into your strands, this is the perfect heatless curls tutorial for you. Once again, all you need are a few hair clips, a spray bottle filled with water, and your hairspray of choice. Mimi is wearing 160g Ombre Chestnut Luxy Hair extensions in this video for extra length and thickness.

STEP 1

Section off your hair into one-inch sections, using a spray bottle to dampen your hair as you go.

STEP 2

Then, loosely wrap individual sections of hair around your middle finger, slide the curl down and secure it with a hair clip. Unlike the previous heatless waves tutorial where you used both your middle and index finger, use your middle finger alone, as this will give you a tighter curl—think of it as though you are using a smaller barrel curling wand.

STEP 3

Repeat all over the rest of your head, ensuring your sections are small enough that the curls won’t fall out of the clips.

Top it off with some hairspray before unravelling your bouncy, long-lasting curls.

5. Mermaid Waves

Get Mimi’s look with 160g Ombre Chestnut Luxy Hair extensions.

Whoever said you can’t be a mermaid? With a few hair ties, a comb, a brush, some hairspray, and a spray bottle of water, you can achieve the mermaid waves of your dreams—no heat required. Mimi is wearing 160g Ombre Chestnut Luxy Hair extensions in this video to give her hair an added boost of volume and length.

STEP 1

Start off by parting your hair down the middle for this look, spraying your hair with water until it is damp.

STEP 2

Then, divide your hair into two sections and create a regular braid on each side, taking extra care to ensure you are pulling firmly as you work your way down the hair.

STEP 3

Finish off with some hairspray and allow the hair to thoroughly dry before undoing the braids.

Get Mimi’s look with 160g Ombre Chestnut Luxy Hair extensions

Finally, unravel and reveal gorgeous, beachy, S-shaped waves! Your hair will look like the saltwater just worked its magic.

GET LONGER, THICKER HAIR INSTANTLY

6. Heatless Paper Towel Waves

Get Mimi’s look with 220g Ombre Blonde Luxy Hair extensions

Want to switch it up and have a little bit of fun while waiting for your heatless waves to dry? Try out this paper towel waves tutorial! This funky method is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. To achieve the look, all you need is a roll of paper towels, some hair elastics, a hairbrush, hairspray, and a spray bottle filled with water. Mimi is wearing 220g Ombre Blonde Luxy Hair extensions in this tutorial.

STEP 1

Start off by ripping off a generous amount of paper towel (about twice the span of your hair length) and fold it horizontally so that it is about one-inch thick.

STEP 2

Then, divide your hair into four sections, braiding it in with the paper towel and securing it with a hair elastic at the bottom.

STEP 3

Repeat this with each section so that all of your hair is braided around the paper towel.

STEP 4

Finish off with some hairspray and allow to dry thoroughly before unraveling your hair.

Get Mimi’s look with 220g Ombre Blonde Luxy Hair extensions

The result? Easy, breezy, loose waves! Try it out, snap a pic, and share your silly paper towel selfie with us at #luxyhair.

7. Heatless Magazine Waves

Get Mimi’s look with 160g Ombre Chestnut Luxy Hair extensions

Here’s another great way to get creative with your heatless waves. Plus you’ll be putting those old magazines you have lying around to use! Mimi is wearing the 160g Ombre Chestnut Luxy Hair extensions in this tutorial.

STEP 1

Begin by gently brushing out your hair to get rid of any tangles.

STEP 2

Using a pair of scissors, cut each magazine page down the center vertically and then fold it in half. If it’s a tighter curl you’re after, fold the paper again.

STEP 3

Next, grab a one-inch section of hair and spray it with water until it is damp. If your hair is naturally straight and doesn’t usually retain curl, you can use some hairspray to help your hair hold.

STEP 4

Then, begin wrapping your hair around the strip of paper until you reach the midway point of your hair. Tie the ends of the paper in a knot to secure the curl in place and repeat on the rest of your hair. If your hair is especially slippery, you can also use bobby pins to secure it on the strips of magazine paper.

Get Mimi’s look with 160g Ombre Chestnut Luxy Hair extensions

Once your hair is fully dry, take it down to reveal gorgeous, heatless magazine waves.

8. Heatless Donut Waves

Did we get your stomach rumbling? While this tutorial does not involve any sugar-filled, deep-fried dough, it’s equally as satisfying. Another easy-peasy way to achieve heatless waves—all you need is a hair donut, a hair elastic, and a spray bottle filled with water. Mimi wears her 220g Ombre Blonde Luxy Hair extensions in this video for extra volume.

STEP 1

Start off by brushing your hair back and gathering it into a high ponytail at the crown of your head.

STEP 2

Then, pull the ponytail through your hair donut and split the hair into two equal sections, spraying it with water until it’s damp.

STEP 3

Taking one section at a time, wrap it over and under the hair donut until you’ve reached the end of your hair. Be sure to allow your hair is fully dry before taking it down.

Get Mimi’s look with 220g Ombre Blonde Luxy Hair extensions

If you don’t have a hair donut on hand, you can easily make your own. Simply take an old sock and cut off the tip, rolling it inwards into itself until you reach the end of the fabric and voilà, you’ve made your own hair donut!  You can also repeat this technique on your hair extensions before you clip them into your hair.

Heatless Beach Waves

Planning a trip to the craft store anytime soon? Turns out, pipe cleaners are a magic tool when it comes to achieving heatless beach waves. To get the look, grab a bunch of pipe cleaners, twisting the tops and bottoms together ensuring they are all lined up closely so they resemble the barrel of a curling wand. Mimi wears her 220g Ombre Blonde Luxy Hair extensions in this video for extra volume.

STEP 1

Working with fairly large sections of hair, grab a chunk from the back and spray it with water until it is damp. Then wrap the hair around the makeshift barrel, locking it into place by folding the pipe cleaners around the hair at the top, middle, and bottom. 

STEP 2

Repeat the process all over your head and then give the style some time to set while you do your makeup or eat breakfast.

Get Mimi’s look with 220g Ombre Blonde Luxy Hair extensions

Alternatively, allow your hair to set while you sleep and wake up with gorgeous, beachy waves. 

There you have it: nine great ways to achieve gorgeous curls, and protect your hair from the damaging effects of heat. We know that sometimes reaching for your curling iron can seem instinctual; maybe you think it’s the easiest way to add a little texture to your straight hair or perhaps you can’t picture a frizz-free world with no hot tools. Although it may seem like a quick fix at the time, using heat on your hair actually makes things worse in the long run.

So whether your hair is dry, damaged, or plain old unmanageable, challenge yourself to go a week without heat. Although it may seem difficult at first, it does get easier with time. Plus, your hair will actually get healthier and more manageable when you’re not consistently exposing it to heat. Not to mention, you’ll be preventing split-ends, hair breakage, and flyaways.RELATED POST

Challenge: A Week Without Heat

While every single heatless wave technique may not work for everyone, remember to be patient; it’s truly a matter of trial and error. Depending on the length and natural texture of your hair, its ability to hold curl, and your personal preference, you may find that some heatless curling methods work better than others. If these tutorials seem tricky initially, we promise: once you get in the groove of heat-free styling, creating these heatless waves will be second nature. Best of all, you’ll be saving your hair a whole lot of heat damage and over time, your natural texture will get more manageable.

If you recreate any of these hairstyles, be sure to snap a before and after photo, and share it with us on Instagram by tagging #luxyhair

Everyone wants to smell nice!

1. Don’t rub your fragrance after you’ve sprayed it on.

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“Spray it on your wrists the back of your neck, or mist it into the air and walk through it,” says Mark Knitowski, vice president of product innovation and fragrance for Victoria’s Secret. “But whatever you do, don’t rub it in because this will make the top note disappear quickly, leaving you with only the middle and base notes, rather than the full fragrance.”

2. Opt for a scented nail polish over a non-scented one.

Scented nail polish doesn’t have the fume-tastic odor of regular nail polishes, and breathes on the nail, which allows subtle fragrance emission throughout the day. Try Revlon Scented Parfum Nail Enamel, $5, drugstore.com.

3. Wash your hair when it gets greasy to avoid hair odor (H.O.).

The hair equivalent of B.O. is H.O., and it happens when your hair is at its greasiest state. If you don’t know what I’m talking about you either already wash your hair on a regular basis or you’ve been the girl with H.O. and none of your friends are brave enough to tell you. You don’t have to wash your hair every single day, but if you ever notice it getting super greasy, definitely shampoo.

4. Use a pillow and sheet spray.

Spritzing your pillows and sheets allows the scent to envelope you and whoever you’re sleeping with when you’re lying in bed, says Victoria Secret’s Knitowski. “But not in an overpowering way.” Try Victoria’s Secret Aphrodisiac Room & Pillow Spray, $18, victoriassecret.com.

5. Febreeze your closet.

If your clothes don’t have that brand new car-digan smell anymore, pick up some Febreeze and just spritz it around your clothes to keep everything smelling fresh. Says Knitowski, “A formula like this contains ingredients that neutralize odor, but doesn’t leave a scent behind. It simply evaporates the odor and voila!”

6. Carry a travel foot spray in your purse.

If your feet tend to smell after walking around all day, then you’ve been there: that dreaded moment when you have to take off your shoes to try on new ones or to curl up next to your lover on the couch. Either way, having smelly feet can ruin the moment, be it shopping or cuddling. So, to make sure your foot odor doesn’t precede you as soon as you slip off your booties, freshen up in a pinch by carrying a travel size foot spray with you, like this one from Avon Foot Works Antifungal Foot Spray, $4, avon.com.

7. Keep a perfumed sachet in your sock and underwear drawer.

“Sachets are key because they have material that absorb odor and distribute fragrance over time,” Says Knitowski. Try Lollia Relax Sea Salt Sachet, $14, lollialife.com.

8. Invest in a hair spray that’s really perfume for your hair.

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I’m not talking about the kind that offers hold, I mean a straight-up, aerosol fragrance spray specifically for your hair. “If you’re worried about your hair smelling too strongly (in a good way), don’t worry, the molecules in an aerosol fragrance are much tinier, so they won’t overwhelm you,” says Knitowski. “A formula like this, as the day goes on, will also keep getting refreshed by the heat of your head, so spray it on in the morning before work and again before you go out.”

9. Keep an oil-based rollerball on you at all times.

Obviously you want to smell incredible all day long, but sometimes we want a more potent scent (hi, Saturday night!) over a more subtle one. If you want an “I’ve arrived” kind of scent that’s long-lasting, use an oil-based rollerball. “These types are easy to stash in your pocket or purse — plus, oils stay on your skin longer and give off a stronger scent because they’re more concentrated than alcohol-based ones,” says Knitowski. Try Juara Tiare Jasmine Perfume Oil, $28, juaraskincare.com.

This is my secret to glowing flawless skin:

Step 1: Cleanse with water only

In the morning, I only cleanse with water. Because I do a full nighttime cleanse, in which I remove makeup and dirt, I often still feel the product the next morning. To be honest, my skin has never looked better than it does when I cleanse with water in the mornings.

If you’re skeptical, try using a konjac sponge, which is a gentle exfoliating sponge that’s made from the konjac root. The natural clays help to naturally cleanse the skin without, again, stripping oil.

Step 2: Hydrosol (toner)

Following cleansing, I use a hydrosol to add a water barrier to my skin. This helps to act as a good foundation for all that is to come next. My favorite hydrosols have small amounts of essential oils such as lavender or rose, which are great for helping the actives penetrate into the skin (next step).

Step 3: Serum and actives

Now it’s time for what I call “the do’ers.” Products that contain an ingredient — think salicylic acid — intended to achieve a certain effect are considered “actives.” They tend to be the “brightening” products or “correctors.” These products, plus serums, work on certain issues, concerns, or benefits for your skin.

A serum is applied first, so that it seeps right into the skin. I then like to apply my actives and let them sit for a few minutes before the next steps. Doing this will help will seal in the other products.

TREATMENTS (OPTIONAL)This is an optional step depending on whether you choose to use treatments. This is the stage, for example, where I would apply a spot treatment to help heal pimples or where I might apply any eye treatments (such as a serum, oil, or cream). Treatments are usually “spot-focused” so regardless of consistency I put them on after my serum. 

I usually allow the treatment to also sit for a minute or two if I’m doing spot treatment for pimples, as I don’t want to spread the treatment over my entire face in the next step.

Step 4: Moisturize

I’ll then move onto moisturizer. I tend to opt for heavy moisturizing in the form of a face balm or heavy facial oil. I rarely use creams as I feel my skin reacts better to whole plant oil.

I’ll add the oil by patting it on my face and then massaging in to the skin with upward strokes. I tend to take a few minutes on this process. This helps to work the product into my skin and I feel pampered with a mini-facial massage.

If I’m using a balm, I’ll warm it up in my hands first, by rubbing it in between my hands, in order to get it into a more oily consistency, and then continue as mentioned above.

Step 5: Sun protection

You should always apply sunscreen. For me, living in Norway, if I’m going out for a cross-country ski session, or going to be exposed to the sun for big chunks of the day, I’ll use a non-nano mineral sunscreen. This is both environmentally friendly and helps to protect me from hyperpigmentation and other sun damage.

I’ll pat this product into the skin lightly, as if I am sealing everything in with it.

How To Have The Ultimate Self Care Day

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I don’t know about you, but I feel like theres been this whole wave of self care lately. I can’t get through a magazine or my Pinterest feed without seeing something about self care. The importance of Self Care. 10 Ways To Practice Self Care. How Practicing Self Care Made Me a Bagillionaire. JK on the last one but you see what I’m saying right? Self care is EVERYWHERE and it can be slightly totally overwhelming and frustrating for someone like me who has a hard time taking care of themself.

The Importance of Self Care

ICYMI, a few weeks ago I went to a retreat that basically forced me to take care of myself and it changed my life. Eat balanced meals. Read good books. Stretch. Take care of my skin. These things seem so normal, right? Well they weren’t for me for a really long time. As I stopped taking care of myself, I started to fall apart and then the rest of my life fell apart too.

And you may be thinking that you can’t stop to take care of yourself because you are too busy taking care of the rest of your life, right? Job, house, kids, school, etc. Well as my friend Amanda from The Light Owl says… “You can’t pour from an empty cup”. I like to think of self care as a way to refill my cup so I can then help fill the others, you know?

Related: 3 Daily Habits for Happiness & Pulling Out Of a Slump

Self care isn’t scary and it isn’t selfish. Something about it changes your perspective and slows your mind down. This sounds crazy, but things just start making sense once you nourish yourself. In fact, self care is so amazing and life changing that I think you should make a whole day of it every once in a while, if possible. I know that making a whole day dedicated to self care is easier said than done. Some of us have super busy jobs. Or kids. Maybe both? Or a ranch full of pups to take care of (<— if this is you, are you hiring? I can relocate!)

I get it. Or maybe you don’t think it’s scary or selfish at all but you might think taking a whole day off would probably be better spent doing something more productive than taking care of yourself. Right?

Well this is where I tell you you’re wrong. If you’re running around like a chicken with it’s head cut off trying to take care of everyone else in you’re life BUT yourself, you will eventually burn out. And then you’re going to HAVE to take some time off to relax. AKA take care of yourself. AKA SELF CARE!

So if self care is inevitable (which it totally is), why not work it into your schedule, on your own terms, the way YOU want it… instead of waiting for the burnout to catch up to you and then being forced to take care of yourself? **I’d also like to point out that burnout can come in different forms, both physically and mentally.

Related: 7 Healthy Habits I’m {Re-}Introducing To My Life

The Importance of a Self Care Day

It’s super important to find ways to work self care into your every day schedule but taking an entire day to take care of yourself is like pushing a hard reset button on your life. I swear.

What’s nice about having a self care day is you can plan in advance which will hopefully alleviate some of the “OMG I have a million other things I should be doing” stress. If you have PTO, schedule a day off. Kids? Talk to your SO and have them take the reigns for a day or maybe arrange for a playdate or sleepover at someone else’s home.

The other great thing about a self care day is you can really take the time to explore which self care practices work for you. That way, when you’re back to the hustle and bustle that life dishes out, you’ll have some tricks up your sleeve to help you keep your cup full so you can keep on filling the others. And if you feel like a full day is too much, even just a few hours of doing things just for you will make a huge difference in your life. Just pick a few of your favorites from the list below!

How To Have The Ultimate Self Care Day

If you’re going to splurge on a whole day just for you, YAYY!! I’m so stoked for you! You are going to love it and you SO deserve it. Below is a schedule of my ultimate self care day. If you aren’t into some of these, I have an extra list down at the bottom of other self care ideas you can swap mine out for. If it’s possible, try to unplug for the whole day. Let the people you speak to on the reg know that you’re taking a day for yourself and they won’t be able to reach you. Don’t check Instagram or Facebook. Just take the day for you.

1. Light Your Favorite Candle

Our sense of smell is the most sensitive of our senses which is why I like to start my day with lighting a candle. As soon as I get out of bed, the first thing I do is light a candle with a comforting scent. If you’re a slight hot mess like me, find a lighter before you go to sleep and put it next to your candle so that there’s no reason to skip this step first thing in the morning and/or stress yourself out looking for a lighter.

2. Add Some Tea To Your Life

If you can, skip the coffee today and just sip on tea. If not, try swapping some of your coffees for tea. Tea has less caffeine than coffee which will help you relax for the day.

3. Take Extra Time To Care For Your Skin

You should already have a daily skin care routine but since you shouldn’t be in a rush on your self care day, really take your time caring for your skin. Exfoliate. Use a face mask. Do whatever you normally skip while thinking ‘ughhh if only I had more time!’.

I use Pamela Metamorphosis products to care for my skin for a number of reasons. First, I’m obsessed with the way they smell. Every single product smells amazing. Next, I believe in what they believe in. Skincare shouldn’t be complicated and it shouldn’t contain harsh chemicals. Also, they keep it real about ‘aging skin’ which gets a bad rep. All of our skin is aging and no matter our age, skin type, or tone there should be a simple solution. Finally, they created simple skincare solutions which work wonders.

My Favorite Skincare Products:

Energizing Papaya Cleanser

I don’t know if you can tell by the pictures, but I definitely use this product the most. It is so refreshing and exactly what I need to get moving in the morning. Just a couple pumps goes a long way so this bottle will definitely last you a while. Plus it smells aaaamazing!

Papaya Scrub

Okay, this one smells amazing too. This scrub is super gentle but definitely gets the job done! It’s meant to be paired with the exfoliating mask below.

Enzyme Exfoliating Mask

This is going to be my best friend this winter! The papaya enzymes in this mask (which can also just be used as an exfoliator) dissolve dead skin cells which then leaves your skin smoother and brighter. Use 2-4 times a week for 3-5 minutes.

Sensitive Skin Face Wash

This sensitive skin face wash is meant for all skin types. It’s super smooth and luxurious. I like to use it at night after a day of wearing make up because it’s gentle enough to remove make up from around the eye area.

Green Tea Moisturizer

I’ve never really been prone to dry skin until I moved to CO last year. This green tea moisturizer whipped my skin back into shape. I am obsessed with how this product smells and I love that it doesn’t leave my skin feeling heavy and sticky like most moisturizers.

Shop all Pamela Metamorphosis products HERE

4. Color Outside

Coloring is super therapeutic and coloring outside is like therapy on steroids. I looove to color outside on the patio, even if it’s cold. I bundle up in warm clothes, wrap myself in a blanket, and sip on some hot tea. And if it’s sunny and hot throw on your favorite swimsuit, make a pitcher of iced tea, and don’t forget your sunscreen!

Related: My Secret Weapon To De-Stress On The Go

5. Get Crafty or Bake Something

Doing a craft or baking something can fulfill our natural needs to be productive without sabotaging our self care plans. Learning a new craft or enjoying a warm gooey homemade brownie gives us a feel-good sense of accomplishment.

6. Read A Funny Book

Get out of your own head and into someone else’s with a funny book. Let’s Pretend This Never Happened and Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson are my two current favorites They are literally the definition of LOL.

7. Curl Up In Bed and Watch TV for a Couple Hours

My bed is my safe place and my happy place. I usually try not to get in bed until the end of the day when I’m ready to turn in because if I’m not careful, I can literally stay in bed for days. However, on self care days I like to cheat! Curling up in bed with Netflix on for a couple hours smack in the middle of an afternoon is sometimes exactly what we need.

8. Stretch/Yoga

I like to stretch after my mini TV break to wake my body back up. If it’s warm enough outside, I love to do this on the patio. Another couple of things from Pamela Metamorphosis that I love are their Fresh face wipes and sunscreen. The sunscreen doesn’t feel gross and sticky like regular sunscreen and once again, it smells amazing. If I do yoga out on the patio I always make sure to have sunscreen on because the sun out here in Aspen is super intense. After stretching/yoga, I like to use the Fresh wipes to clean my face and ya know, freshen up!

9. Give Yourself a Makeover

I think giving yourself a makeover is another one of those fun, feel-good sense of accomplishment activities. Hop onto YouTube and search for some makeover tutorials. If you mess up, grab a Fresh wipe and try again.

Bonus: Take Yourself On a Date

If you’re makeover went well, take yourself on a date and show it off. Heck, if it didn’t go well take your natural gorgeous self out on a date anyways! Don’t get me wrong, I love my boyfriend and I love going on dates with him but there is something super rewarding and empowering about taking myself out which IMO is the perfect way to end a day of self care.

Feeling Spendy?! $$$

Self care doesn’t have to be expensive. However, if you feel like splurging on yourself, your self care day is totally the day to do it. Add one, some, or all of these to your self care day schedule if you’re feeling spendy!

Massage

Massages can be pricy but they are usually SO worth it. Benefits of massages include reducing stress, pain, and muscle tension. We store trauma in our bodies so having someone physically work them out can be super relieving. Check Groupon for more affordable deals!

Float Therapy

I don’t know if this is a thing everywhere but it’s totally worth a google search. The spa I go to here in CO offers float therapy and I love it. You basically float in a pod of salty water (it’s way cooler than that sounds, I swear!) for an hour and it’s really relaxing.

New Shoes or Make Up

I have some body image issues so I choose to avoid anything that can make me feel bad about myself on my self care days. If I do feel like shopping, I like to buy shoes or make up… both ultimate feel-good purchases that won’t leave you feeling like you need to lose weight or get bigger boobs.

Private Yoga Lesson

If you’re going to splurge on your self care day, I recommend putting a private yoga class high up on the list. I know I’ve probably been so annoying on Instagram lately talking about how much I love yoga but it’s honestly private yoga lessons that made it happen. I wasn’t able to feel the benefits of yoga in a regular class and so I assumed yoga and meditation weren’t for me. Taking a private lesson allowed me to work at my own pace while being guided to find that peace and balance all the yogis talk about!

Alternate Self Care Ideas:

Journal

Meditate

De-clutter a room in your home

Go for a walk

Start a compliment jar

Having an ultimate self care day is great but it’s super important to implement some of these into your everyday life! How do you like to practice self care?

The right equipment and careful planning will help you and your fellow campers have a more enjoyable camping experience. Here are our top camping tips to get you started.

Before you leave

1) Test your gear.

If you’ve just bought or borrowed a tent, set it up at home to ensure you know how to put it up and how to pack it away. If it isn’t a new tent, check it’s still in top condition and that you have all the necessary poles and pegs. Take note of how the tent is packed up so that you can roll or fold it the same way when you have to get it back in the bag. If you’re taking a stove, clean and test that too. It’s better to identify missing equipment or faults at home than on your adventure.

2) Research your campsite. 

Check what facilities are available. Are there showers, barbeques, shade options and access to clean and safe drinking water? This will help you decide what to pack and what to leave at home.

3) Read up on potential dangers. 

Are there poisonous plants, animals or insects in the area? Pack your first-aid kit accordingly. Don’t forget to include first-aid staples so you can deal with everything from headaches to cuts and burns. These are real camping essentials – you don’t want to be caught unprepared miles away from help. Remember, insects love water, so pack plenty of repellent.

4) Check the weather – and any fire bans. 

It’s best to pack for changing weather conditions, so don’t forget thermals and waterproof rainwear. One of our favourite camping tips is to prepare for the worst weather conditions, but expect the best. Also, try to pack smart. One rain jacket will do the job – you don’t need three!

5) Take nylon rope and duct tape. 

Nylon rope comes in handy for tent support and hanging up wet clothes, while duct tape fixes just about everything – use it to mend torn shoes and broken tent poles.

6) Purchase good-quality camping equipment. 

Camping essentials that perform well in outdoor conditions and will last you for many camping adventures to come are what you’re after. Cheap equipment that damages easily and doesn’t provide comfort and protection will not make for a happy camper.

7) Be prepared for the worst. 

Camping essentials also include preparing for emergencies. Tell friends and family where you are going and how long you’ll be. Make sure you carry some money and a phone in case you need to make contact with someone.

8) Take good lighting. 

While it may sound romantic to get about by the moon or fire light, the reality is you don’t want to be cooking, trying to find the toilet or hearing strange noises in pitch dark. The right camp lighting equipment makes a big difference. You can hang a head-lamp or torch from your tent ceiling to illuminate the whole tent (also keep one near the entrance so it’s easy to find at night).

9) Remember the small things. 

Matches in a waterproof container are a must and don’t forget hand sanitisers, soap and facewipes. If you’re car camping, it’s worth throwing in a mallet for banging in tent pegs and a brush and shovel for sweeping out your tent before pack-up. And, if you’re taking a bottle of wine, don’t forget the corkscrew!

Setting up camp

10) Start early. 

Always pitch your tent and set up camp before night fall.

11) Choose your site carefully. 

This camping tip is all about safety. Pick a spot with flat ground. Avoid camping under trees. If you are camping near trees, look around first for warning signs of rotting branches or fallen limbs. Don’t camp where there’s a possibility of branches falling on your tent.

12) Avoid waterways. 

Another camping tip that may seem obvious, but nevertheless can slip from a camping novice’s mind, is to make sure you’re not camping in a river path, creek bed, or trench that could fill up with water during heavy rainfall.

13) Clear the ground. 

Remove all sticks and rocks from where you plan to set up your tent, and make sure there are no ant nests.

14) Get oriented. 

Check which way the wind is blowing, and pitch your tent so that the door is facing away from the wind. If you are camping on a slight slope, sleep with your feet pointing downhill.

15) Prepare for rain.

Always peg your tent fly tightly to keep rain away from tent walls. Try not to touch the walls of the tent if it rains.

16) Manage your fire. 

Another safety camping tip is to build all campfires well away from trees and root systems – roots can catch fire. Be aware of local fire regulations and weather conditions, use established fire rings and always keep a bucket of water handy. And remember: your fire isn’t truly out until you can sift through the ashes with your fingers. Never, ever leave your fire unattended. When you’ve finished, cover the dying embers and ashes with a deep coat of dirt or sand. You don’t want children accidentally walking over them.

17) Stay warm. 

In chilly weather, fill up a water bottle with hot water and use it as a hot water bottle. You can pick up a few extra tips on how to stay warm on the article ‘How to stay warm winter camping‘.

18) Store food securely. 

Keep food in secure containers and coolers – outside of your tent. You do not want to attract nocturnal visitors to your campsite, and definitely not inside your tent.

Packing up

19) Make sure your tent is dry. 

Only pack your tent away once it is completely dry, as mildew can damage it and will make it smell musty. If you can’t get it dry before you leave, pack it away wet and then unpack, dry, sweep and air it out in the sun as soon as you get home. Do the same with poles and pegs to avoid rust.

20) Leave only footprints. 

Avoid the temptation to collect shells, drift wood and other potential souvenirs, and don’t feed wildlife. Take all your rubbish with you. Empty soapy water far from waterways and opt for a biodegradable soap or detergent.

Need to sort your camping essentials? Check out our Camping Checklist.

This summer my sister and I went to see my dad in Gulfport, Mississippi. We did many fun things together. We went fishing, and we went to the USS Battleship State Park in Pascagoula. But my most favorite trip this summer was to Destin, Florida!

       We drove for 4 hours to see the magnificent white, sandy beaches and the clear blue waters. That afternoon after we got there, we got a hotel and unpacked. As soon as we got done, we rushed straight to the beaches. After a while we went back to our hotel and got changed to go to a place called Fudpuckers. Not only did they have excellent grouper (a bass in the ocean), but they also had a real live alligator show with about 20 alligators!  It was by far the best restaurant I have gone to because it was the only one where you got to go feed and watch alligators while you’re eating. After we finished eating, we went back to the hotel to get some sleep.

     The next morning we went snorkeling. It was really cool at first I was nervous but after a while I liked it. My favorite part of it was when I saw these little blue and green fish swimming with us. After we got tired of it we started swimming. Later my dad and I went snorkeling again and saw a little nurse shark!  I ran like my life depended on it because I figured if one shark was here, there should be another one close by.

     We went back inside to get some rest and eat while my dad went to a meeting. After they came back we went to go eat at a place called Captain Alls and it was right on the water. While we were waiting on a table we saw what I thought was a shark but my dad told me it was just a dolphin.

On our last day we went back to the beach and swam for a while until we started getting stung by jelly- fish. My dad told me that all the jellies are coming up because of hurricane Ike is pushing them up. We stayed there for 5 hours getting in every now and then. Then my sister said she’s done swimming and was going to play in the sand. But the funniest thing of all is when a huge wave pushed a jellyfish upon the beach and got her foot. If you thought you’ve seen someone scream and holler so loud at the top of their lungs, you must be mistaken because this was the real deal. I was literally rolling on the beach laughing so hard that I started choking over my own spit. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the way she ran around kicking her foot in the air and trying to wash her foot off at the showers on the beaches. A little after noon we left and checked out of our hotel and started our journey back to home in Gulfport, Mississippi.     This is one memory I’ll always have with me. I don’t think I’ll never forget this summer and my trip to Destin, Florida.

As much as we love going out full glam, we can’t be going out looking like a Melissa Sassine client, so that’s why we are going to give a natural makeup tutorial that will make you GLOW!

Here is how you get it:

#1 / A lightweight foundation

Your base 9and foundation of choice) is super important. It needs to look like skin, but offer a touch of coverage to smooth out your skin tone. One of our (and our Review Crew®’s) top picks is Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. It never looks cakey and imparts a natural radiance onto skin. It’s also rumoured to be one of Meghan Markle’s favourites, and we all know she’s the duchess of natural makeup.

GIORGIO ARMANI LUMINOUS SILK FOUNDATION

#2 / Concealer

The natural makeup look isn’t about creating an airbrushed base, or hiding your unique features like your freckles. But, you may want to reach for a concealer to cover up dark circles or cancel out redness. Our Beauty Editor, Iantha swears by Too Faced Born This Way Concealer for a “natural and undetectable finish”.

TOO FACED BORN THIS WAY CONCEALER

#3 / Blush

When applied with a light hand and in the right spot, blush can add warmth and a healthy rosy glow to skin. The best place to apply it is on the apples of your cheeks, because that’s where you’d see colour if you naturally blushed. Try NYX Professional Makeup Powder Blush – it currently has a five-star rating on our site, with many reviews saying it delivers a healthy glow to the complexion. Choosing the perfect shade for your skin tone is also a must – here’s how to find your best blush hue.

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP POWDER BLUSH

#4 / A nude lipstick

Nude lipstick continues to be a top trend, and every makeup kit should have one. If you’re yet to find your ideal match, follow our tips on how to pick the right shade and then shop our top picks for the best nude lipsticks. One of our Review Crew®’s favourites is the Nude By Nature Moisture Shine Lipstick. Lip balm or a clear gloss works too.

NUDE BY NATURE MOISTURE SHINE LIPSTICK

#5 / A lengthening mascara (optional)

If you’re the type that won’t leave the house without a slick of mascara, then go for it. But opt for a formula that focuses on defining and lengthening lashes over volumising. You want to enhance the look of your eyes, without looking like you’ve done anything. Our go-to for a natural lash look is shu uemura ultimate natural mascara.

SHU UEMURA ULTIMATE NATURAL MASCARA

A note about eyeshadow: Eyeshadow isn’t off limits, but just choose your shade and finish wisely. Matte or a subtle shimmer (avoid glitter or metallic finishes) in either a skin-toned shade or something neutral like taupe will work best for a natural eye makeup look.

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Our yummy alfredo pasta is one that will definitely be your favourite, and its certainly the simplest! Here’s how you make it;

Ingredients 
Serves: 6 

• 700g dry fettuccine pasta
• 250g butter
• 350ml thickened cream
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 dash garlic salt
• 3/4 cup grated Romano cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

---

Directions
Preparation:15min  ›  Cook:15min  ›  Ready in:30min 

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add fettuccine and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
2. In a large saucepan, melt butter into cream over low heat. Add salt, pepper and garlic salt. Stir in cheese over medium heat until melted; this will thicken the sauce.
3. Add pasta to sauce. Use enough of the pasta so that all of the sauce is used and the pasta is thoroughly coated. Serve immediately.

And there you have it, our delicious alfredo pasta!

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton