Birchbox and Cold Weather beauty tips and tricks!

Happy Happy Happy Tuesday Ya'll

( I'm sad sad sad its the season finale of Duck Dynasty tonight Wednesday, got ahead of myself there ..)

I have got to give a huge THANK YOU to Holly she is all too fabulous, she gave me a shout out yesterday on Instagram that brought a whole lot of new friends my direction!

Today I'm getting myself alll prepared to leave this afternoon for Iowa for a class tomorrow. Whoo hooo.. Hey I won't complain, works paying for everything and I get paid to attend it! So boom!

Downside, 

4 hours in a car...I fail at car rides I either get bored or fall asleep...my poor boss! At least shes driving! 

So I'm still on the waiting list for an Ipsy Glam Bag...so I'm still getting my Birchbox, to see past Birchboxes go HERE. 

This months box included:

Beauty Protector Shampoo & Conditioner - Oh lawdy this smells sooooo good and its sulfate free so its PERFECT for color treated hair!!

Evologie Stay Clear Cream- This is supposed to be a moisturizer that protects skin and balances oil levels etc, HOWEVER I did not care for this one bit, instead of preventing breakouts this caused me to grow four zits overnight. Not impressed at all. 

theBalm Cosmetics Stainiac in Beauty Queen- I super dooper puffy heart with glitter theBalm Cosmetics. Stainiac is a two in one product so its perfect to keep in your purse/desk/car etc! It is a lip stain and cheek stain in one! And it works great as either one!!! I totally recommend you try it, and I also HIGHLY recommend you look into any and all of their products!!

Last But Not least,

Chapstick Hydration Lock - I love me some chapstick (WHEREEEES THE CHAAAPSTICK?!?) Haha. This stuff is great and the Vanilla Creme flavor/scent is amazing! I've been carrying this around since the day I got it!!!

Now along with the theme of beauty today, I thought I'd do my job as beauty professional to inform you about some great cold weather tips and tricks...here we gooo....

The cold weather sucks a lot of moisture out of your body, from head to toe, so the important thing is to keep it moisturized all over! We'll start with the hair. If your hair seems a lil lack luster and dry- try an at home reconditioning treatment(salons -$20+)

1. Shampoo as normal, then ring the majority of the water out and then out of shower, apply conditioner generously.

2. Wrap Hair in Cellophane, what ever kinds in your kitchen works great!

3. Take a towel fresh from the dryer so its warm and wrap over the cellophane.

4. Wait 10-15 minutes, then rinse with cool water and Viola! Your hair will thank you!

5. Repeat as necessary.

The heat from the towel will open up the hair cuticle and let the conditioner penetrate each strand and the cool water will close the hair cuticle to seal in the moisture!

*Give the blow dryer a break and let your hair dry natural, save a little of the heat damage!

Chapped lips? Not a problem Sugar!

Mix equal portions of sugar and honey to make a sugar scrub. Then 'buff' your lips with the mixture. Then rinse with warm water and apply a good chap-stick, (no lip glosses or lip sticks) The sugar will help knock off the dead skin that we all are tempted to chew on and the honey provides a natural nutrient moisture.

Dry Hands or Feet? 

Take a small microwavable bowl and fill half way with your favorite lotion, add in a few tablespoons of baby oil or cuticle oil and microwave for 30 seconds. Take out of microwave, carefully, it will be hot, and stir together. Let it cool to a temperature that is comfortable ( Few minutes tops) and dip your hands or feet in or both! and then rub excess mixture in up arms and legs. You can store the extra for next time, you'll just have to reheat!

*Your body will absorb lotions better if they are warm vs cool lotion. So before applying your nighttime lotions run the bottle under hot water!

All over Dry skin? 

Cranberries. 

Yeah It really is that simple!!! 

Bring 2 cups water to boil, add 12oz. of cranberries, reduce heat. Simmer 10 minutes and allow to cool. Strain out berries and add as much liquid to a bath as desired and soak!

Cranberries are good for skin because:

Vitamin C- helps to build collagen, the good stuff to keep or skin looking tight and healthy! As well as a good antioxidant.

Vitamin B3- has been shown to effectively treat acne

Vitamin B5- increase moisture content in skin.

*Save those cranberries and make a great lip balm out of them!

Combine, 1 tablespoon almond oil,10 cranberries, 1 teaspoon honey and 1 teaspoon Vaseline (opt out for less shine) in a microwavable bowl. Heat in microwave till it begins to boil (1-2 minutes). Stir well and mash the berries, let sit for 5 minutes. Strain mixture through a fine strainer to remove all cranberry pieces. Stir and allow to cool. Spread Small amount on lips when necessary!

Give some of these a try and let me know how they workout for you!!

What are some of your favorite cold weather beauty tips?

-J