How to kick the winter lip-split

I cannot wait for the Craftsman Christmas Show at the Richmond Raceway this weekend! You never know what new and interesting jewelry, crafts, and art you will find. Two crafters I'm especially hoping to see is one particular potter from whom I mistakenly bought two beautiful mugs last year when I should have bought a set of 10. I went to all the spring shows hoping to find him again, but failed miserably. Potter man (whose company name I can't remember), don't let me down! I tossed all of my husband's Denny's-style mugs to make room in our small cabinet for your gorgeous creations and I'll never hear the end of it if you're a no-show this weekend.

I digress. The other vendor that I'm almost certain will be here (if not, they'll be here in December for the Christmas Bazaar) is the Mountain Mist company. This company is single-handedly responsible for ending my annual lip-split, which I used to enjoy each winter. I wear it everyday-- EVERYDAY. I also love lip treatments by MAC and FRESH, but Mountain Mist's lip balm is a fraction of the price and works as well or better. Ingredients include "sweet almond oil, lanolin, aloe, and Vitamin E and all-natural lip balm flavors".

They're now offering a pack of all five flavors for $12 at http://www.mtnmist.com/. I especially love the cherry shimmer and honey flavors and am still holding out hope that they'll make almond or orange spice flavors as well. I stock up twice a year when I see Mountain Mist at the spring and winter shows, even though one tube lasts me about a year. Hope you enjoy them!

Everyday Nails

First impressions are important-- especially when interviewing for a new job, which so many people are doing these days. Apparently, first impressions start with how you look, for better or worse.

Sharp haircut? Check. Modest accessories? Check. Polished shoes and a Frebrezed suit? Check, check. Manicured nails?...Oops.

Manicures. They look great, but only last a week or less. And at $25 plus, they can add up fast.

I went to Richmond's Woman Show and ran into a lady selling home manicure kits. Because I've tried these before and have never been impressed, I walked passed her booth. My then boyfriend (now husband) had to use the restroom, which of course was right next to her booth. Ew. So I had no choice but to listen to her product pitch. She polished my nail. Clean, shiny, nice. But before I could be sold, I needed to know I could shine them myself without having to put my back into it. Step 1) File and shape. 2) Clean. 3) Condition. 4) Shine. 5) Erase cuticles with the cuticle coconut oil pen.

EASY! Best of all, NO MORE HANGNAILS! I was pretty excited to find a kit that I could reuse for months (or years) at the price of only two manicures.

Bottom line: If you want polished nails everyday, call Archie (205) 863-8024 (she doesn't have a website) and order the Nail Strong Set for $34.95. Let me know what you think!

It's been a while...visit Celebrity Soap on Etsy!

Hi everyone,

So, I know, I know. It's been about two months since I've posted on this blog. Not good. And thank you for the few of you who have actually noticed! haha. I've been hard at work to finally-- and I do mean FINALLY-- launch my Celebrity Soap shop on Etsy. It is now OPEN!

Visit me at http://www.celebritysoap.etsy.com/.

I'm also very happy to say that my LLC is confirmed. I'm more proud of this certificate than my own diploma (well, almost), mostly because its the first random idea I've actually seen through without being pinned to a deadline. It's a hobby, just like this blog, but hopefully it'll someday turn into more with time. I have 11 items posted now and many more to come!

As for my beauty product/treatment experiments, back to you soon! In fact, I have a few in the works and will post them ASAP.

Happy holidays!

Send in your ideas and photos!

Hi everyone,

Thanks to those of you who have sent me experiment suggestions! Keep them coming! I can always use more ideas. Also, thanks to those of you who have emailed me to let me know you've tried (and hopefully liked) some of these remedies.

Please feel free to send me your own pictures and details on how these experiments worked for you and I'll be happy to post them on the blog.

Talk to you soon!

Leslie

The one I've been avoiding....

I'm overdue for a hair cut. I actually just made an appointment for next week:) But in the meantime, I'd rather not look like I stuck my finger in an electric socket. So, I need a quick fix to moisturize my hair and calm the frizz.

US magazine to the rescue, ahh. Actress Audrina Patridge (The Hills) said she once used a mayo hair mask, but her hair looked greasy for a week. I've heard about this remedy for a long time and, frankly, have avoided it. Mayo is reportedly also a safe remedy for lice since it doesn't subject children's scalps to harsh chemicals. But, unfortunately, it does subject them to mayonnaise. I hate mayo! I don't like it in my sandwiches and I wouldn't want it on my head. But a lot of people LOVE mayo, so I'll take one for the team.

So, as always, there's conflicting info online. Someone on Yahoo.Answers.com said it's a known fact that mayo is damaging to hair, but didn't say why. If anyone has more details on that, please let me know. But the overwhelming majority stands by the treatment. Apparently, mayo's ingredients are beneficial: vinegar (clarifies hair and helps with dandruff), olive oil moisturizes and seals hair and split ends (although Stephanie disagrees), and eggs have essential proteins that supposedly strengthen the hair follicle.

Here are the steps that came recommended by several sites:

Step 1: Apply the nasty goo from root to tip and convince yourself it's just conditioner. Yuck.

Step 2: Cover your hair with a plastic cap or grocery bag. I opted for the bag. At least this helps to conceal the smell.

Step 3: Wrap a hot, damp towel around the bag or cap for 10 minutes or so. This helps your hair absorb the moisture.

Step 4: Wash out all the goo and sigh with relief.

Bottom line: Where's the grease? I suppose my hair is softer, but I don't feel any heavy effects from the treatment....I guess that's good, right? I'm not sure if this experiment proves that mayo is a good conditioner or that my hair is made of straw and can't get enough oil. Try it at home and let me know how it works for you!

Update: It's the day after I treated my hair with mayo and now I see the grease. I don't think other people can see it. It made my dry hair normal, but I know it's there because my curls fell down and the frizz is 95% gone. This may be a good treatment afterall, especially for people with dry, frizzy hair!

What the H can we do about zits and wrinkles?

How is it you can be in your late twenties and still have pimples? How is it you can be in your early thirties and already have wrinkles? Fortunately for my wonderful boyfriend, Andrew, his subtle "wrinkles" look more like sophisticated symbols of his sexiness. Whereas my "pink lady bumps" are just....sad, and they must be destroyed immediately.

I read in US magazine (or was it People) that actress Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon (top) used Preparation H to zap away zits. I've always heard that old Hollywood starlets used to use the cream, as unappealing as that is, to shrink wrinkles.

As usual, I've found a lot of conflicting information online. Many people in chat rooms said they use it to shrink wrinkles and it helps. PeoplesPharmacy.com says, "Preparation H has been reformulated. It no longer contains Live Yeast Cell Derivative (LYCD). As a result, any reports about its power against wrinkles and other skin problems are probably no longer relevant."

So Andrew and I put it to the test-- although I hope his experiment doesn't work:)

Andrew spread the cream under his right eye and let it set for 10 minutes. He wants me to add that he was watching football while we waited. I smeared the cream across my forehead. We waited.......I felt nothing. Andrew felt his eye slightly tighten. We waited...I really don't like watching football. But then again, my boyfriend did put Preparation H under his eye:)

Ok time's up. And nada. His eye doesn't feel tighter and it doesn't look tighter. I didn't expect my "lady bumps" to go away in 10 minutes, so maybe they'll look better tomorrow. I'll let you know if they do. They do look slightly less red though!

Bottom line: Sorry starlets. No lines are filled here. But if you'd like to avoid numbing your expressions with Botox, I hear the original Preparation H formula is still available in Canada. If any Canadians want to send me a tube, feel free!!!

Not so risky hair dye

I had a request recently to write about hair dye. Thank you for caring enough to actually write in!.....Here it goes....

A friend of a friend who does hair and make up for CBS' Craig Ferguson Show and who used to tour with Kiss, once recommended that I use Natural Instincts semi-permanent hair dye to brighten up my do. Nice way of saying my hair was fried from the sun and needed help:) Although enhancing natural beauty isn't her usual goal at work (unless you find Gene Simmons to be naturally beautiful), she knows a lot more about this stuff than I do!

I tried it a while back and loved it. My friend, Hollis, tried it and loved it. So my cousin, Natalie, was in town and volunteered her head for the latest experiment. Great news especially since we all have different hair types!

Step 1: Comb and slightly dampen hair
Step 2: Separate hair into small sections and apply dye to roots
Step 3: Add more dye throughout hair and comb it through evenly
Step 4: Realize you should have applied Vaseline to her forehead and ears. Oops. Sorry Natalie.

Step 5: Wait 10 minutes then wash it out.

Voila! Beauteous maximus!

Bottom line: This formula in particular adds shine, brilliance, and makes the coarsest hair soft. The best part is it naturally fades away over a month or two rather than growing out from the roots like permanent dye. Its a great way to try a new color without having to pay an arm and a leg or commit to monthly root fills.