Beauty Fix-Its You Will Thank Me For

Hey girls. So guess what? Yours truly has been doing some research lately. Not the kind that goes in newpapers and parliament but the kind that has real instant gratification (the best kind).
This is Jamaica. Meaning two things: 1. That if you are in your early 20s your pay isn't anywhere where it should be to buy those essential things like a cute cotton tube dress (without the trek downtown) and 2. Makeup essentials don't have those nice prices like those in the land of the "free" (pun intended). So what to do?
Here are my Top 7 beauty cheapies:

1. No eye-makeup remover? Tired of the pencil making your face look raccoon-esque in the morning after some fun? Well baby shampoo with no-more tears formula is where it's at. Works like a charm.

2. Is your pedi going? No time for a new coat of polish? A little oil around the cuticle and on the nail will do the trick for fresh looks for a couple more days.

3. Now you love that moisturizer right? But your hair is a little gunky at the end of the week. What to do? Soak your dry hair in apple cider vinegar (much cheaper than exfoliant at the salon) leave in for 15 minutes, rinse and shampoo as usual. This is where shine will happen.

4. Love that scent and the bottle's almost done? Knock the top off and pour the last bit of your favourite perfume in your lotion. And the scent will last even longer.

5. No shaving cream? Do NOT use soap. Use conditioner. Cheapest bottle of conditioner runs for about $100 JA, smells nice enough for the job it does and your legs will be OH SO AMAZING soft!!

6. Body scrub is tooooooo expensive. Make your own. Honey and brown sugar mixed together and rubbed on with a sponge. Take a bath, dry off, look and smell yummy.

7. This isnt completely related but wear more vanilla. Another pick of mine, coconut *wink* Why? Men like that scent most on women. Figures it would be something related to food. Lol. Best thing both are super reasonable compared to a bottle of Curve or Baby Phat Golden Goddess.

Now you are more educated. So go forth and be HOTTTTT!!!!

Four Friend Inspired Feel-goods

The first month of the year is almost done. What's the situation with the New Year resolutions and all those plans? Keeping on track or falling a little behind? Well here's the thing...........you still have plenty of time and I decided to give my two cents to my faithful few who have been craving that feel good about you no matter what state of mind you're in.

These are things I have learnt from some of my fave girls (see if you can figure out who these people are ;))

1. Feeling bored? I learnt this from a "steely" girl. Put on some popping lipstick and take some banging pictures of yourself (self-timer is a girl's favourite button) Not even for Facebook either. Just do it for you. Print the best one, frame it and put it in your room or send it right to your phone.

2. A certain articulate songstress, has the scoop on the RIGHT way to wear a t-shirt (that is not too big of course). Now some freshly pampered feet in some cute gladiators will do the trick. Cute without trying too hard. And as for the feet pampering, just soak your feet in some warm water with shampoo (yes I said shampoo) and buff with a pumice stone. Shampoo and a pumice stone will last longer than all the time, effort and $$$ it will take for a few pedicures and right now low maintenance is where it's at.

3. Now this one I was reminded of just the other day, when you miss a friend who is a big part of your days and they're not around at the time. What's the best way to cheer yourself up? Do the favourite thing you did together and leave a note, msg online, or comment on their profile to let them know they are being missed. Pancakes anyone?

4. Last one, (for now anyway) (pretty personal I might add) what to do when you think you need a REALLY good pick-me-up after one of those looooooonnnnnggggggg weeks and there is no date or plan? Listen here time to LOVE YOU. When last have you really spent the evening with your favourite person i.e. YOU? Put on your fave movie, or watch some good sitcom marathons on Comedy Central , TBS, make yourself some chicken breast with a little pasta, paint your toes that favourite colour and just RELAX. I guarantee you'll be glad you did.

The Value of a "Second Opinion"

So I was on Facebook the other day and I read something very interesting in someone's status message. In a nutshell it was saying that as humans we don't really know ourselves and, when we want to know or find out more about ourselves as persons we ask others.

I immediately thought about it and looked back at instances in the past when I have asked someone (whose opinion I valued of course ) what they thought of me. Whether a particular characteristic or me in general. I also thought about if I have been a fair judge of myself enough to adequately assess whatever response I may receive to the "What do you think of me?" question. And then there are so many other questions tied in to that.

How well do we really understand ourselves as persons and are we able to see ourselves in the "right" light when it matters most? Do we hold firm to the core of who we are in spite of adapting to changes. Or is it that the core itself needs to be changed?

If you really know yourself, do you need to ask someone else what they think?

Is self-comprehension really like a trip to the doctor? How valuable is that "second opinion"?

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