$50 in Sephora Gift Cards, For Only $40! That's $10 FREE!

Hi everyone! I just wanted to share an awesome deal with you that I recently found on one of the makeup Facebook groups that I'm in! With this deal, you can get $50 in Sephora Gift Cards, for $10 off!

If you are a Kroger Plus Member, this deal is for you! If you are not already a Kroger Plus Card member, you can get your own Kroger Plus Card for free at the customer service desk at Kroger! Go sign up for your card, and create an account with Kroger.com and connect your card to your account.

Then, go online to kroger.com or go to the Kroger Mobile App on your phone and go to the "digital coupons" section and search for "Sephora". After that, load the digital coupon to your card. Then head to Kroger to pick up TWO Sephora Gift Cards. You have to purchase two different gift cards at the same time, and they both have to value at $25 or more for this deal to work.

When you get to the register, let them scan your Kroger Plus card, and then load $25 to each of the cards. Let the cashier take the total, and $10 will come off immediately! Then just pay $40 for your $50 in gift cards! Take them to Sephora and spoil yourself, or give one to a friend! :)

This offer expires August 1, 2015, so snag it while you can! Enjoy! And thanks for reading! :) I'll try to post more deals like this soon, for you guys! <3

The beginning of my weight loss journey!

It is officially after midnight, on 7/19/2015, and today I begin my weight loss journey. I'll be taking some supplements as well as portion control to reach my goal weight. I will also be starting back on the birth control shot on Monday (tomorrow), as well. That was the only birth control method in which I was truly happy with how my body reacted to the hormones, so I know that I can trust it to help me balance my hormones and hopefully help to keep me from continuing to inflate like a balloon. I would be exercising as well, but right now my boyfriend has a pinched nerve in his back and is unable to do much, besides laying on the couch and resting his body. But as soon as he can get up and go with me again, we will be walking a mile a day on the nature trail. :)

The supplements that I'll be taking:

- Garcinia Cambogia
- Geritol Women's Multivitamin
- Biotin (5,000mcg)
- Probiotics

My goals:

- Goal Weight: 120lbs
- Current Weight: 184lbs
- Goal Date: January 1, 2016

(I need to lose 64lbs in 5 months. Can I do it?)

Apps I'll be using:

- Pacer
- Instant Heart Rate
- My Fitness Pal

I'll be taking a "before" picture in the morning, and each week I will take a new photo to show my visual results, as well as posting "before and after" measurements. I really need to get back to a healthy weight again. I am only 5'4 and I weight 184lbs, and most of my weight sits around my waistline, which is a horrible precursor for my heart health. I really don't want to have cardiac arrest or stroke before I even turn 50!

So, wish me luck on this journey, you guys! :) If anyone else is currently on a weight loss journey, or getting ready to begin their own, please comment down below and tell me what you're doing to aid yourself in this journey, and let me know if you have any of your own tips or pointers! :) I would love to read your comments and talk to you guys about this! Thanks so much for reading, I'll talk to you all again soon <3

DIY Self Tanner! :)

Hey everyone! I know I haven't posted anything in a few days, and I am super sorry for that. I decided today that I am going to do a a DIY lesson so that we can all add something new to our beauty products collection, for super cheap! :)
Today we will be talking about Self/Gradual Tanner! I know that summer is coming to an end, and natural tans will begin to fade. Self tanner is the best way to keep your summer glow all year around without having the damaging effects of tanning beds! I will show you a few different methods to make your self tanner, and then you can choose which one you like best! :)

Method 1: Cocoa Powder/Instant Coffee

With this method, you will need:

A mixing bowl
A spoon
Cocoa powder or instant coffee
Scented or unscented lotion WHITE lotion

How to make it:

First you will need to pour your lotion into the bowl. Try to start off with about 1/8 of a cup. Now add a teaspoon of cocoa powder or instant coffee to the bowl, and mix with your spoon. Depending on how the color turns out, you may want to add more lotion, or add more powder. Add and mix until desired shade is achieved.

How to apply:

I would recommend using gloves when doing this method because it can stain your hands really easily. It may also help to use a memory foam sponge, like what is used in the high-end self tanner gloves. This will leave a streak-free, natural brown color to your skin. Be sure to apply daily!

Method 2: Brewed Tea/Coffee

With this method, you will need:

A spray bottle
Brewed tea or coffee

How to make it:

Simply brew about 2 teabags per cup or water, or 3 tablespoons of coffee per cup of water. Let it sit out until it is room temperature, and then pour it into the spray bottle.

How to apply:

I would recommend grabbing a basic sponge for this method. Just spray onto the skin, and blend in with a regular sponge. Allow the first coat to dry. Repeat if necessary to achieve the desired shade. Be sure to apply daily!

Method 3: Coconut Oil and Tea

With this method, you will need:

Coconut oil
White scented or unscented lotion
Tea bags
Mixing bowl

How to make it:

Heat the coconut oil in mixing bowl until liquid, and hot to the touch. Steep about 4 teabags per tablespoon of coconut oil. Once the coconut oil is nice and dark, remove the teabags, and drain excess coconut oil back into the bowl. Throw away the teabags, and allow the coconut oil to cool until almost completely solid. Pour about 4 tablespoons of lotion into the bowl with the coconut oil, and mix well. If color is too dark, add more lotion. If the color is too light, add more coconut oil.

The amount of teabags used per tablespoon of coconut oil may vary to achieve different results. You may also substitute the tea for instant coffee, or even cocoa powder :)

How to apply:

I would recommend using gloves when doing this method because it can stain your hands really easily. It may also help to use a memory foam sponge, like what is used in the high-end self tanner gloves. This will leave a streak-free, natural brown color to your skin. Also, the coconut oil will help the pigment seep deeper into your skin, as well as moisturize your skin, resulting in better staying power. Be sure to apply daily!

Well, that's all for today! I hope you enjoyed learning how to make your own self-tanners. Go try one or all of these methods out, and comment below to let me know how it worked for you! 

Thanks for reading! :) I love you all <3

First Impressions, Demo, & Review: Lamora Flat Top Kabuki Brush

So, I posted the video to YouTube last night, and totally forgot to post it here! I'm so sorry everyone! Here it is, I hope it is helpful to you :) Love you! <3

Don't forget to follow me on my social media! :)

Coming Soon: First Impression and Review Vlog! (Flat Kabuki)

I'm so excited! I got my new Flat Kabuki brush today in the mail! :D I have never used a flat kabuki brush before, so I plan on doing a First Impressions Vlog on my YouTube channel sometime tomorrow evening.

I actually got five of these brushes today, and I obviously don't need ALL of them, so I will be including one of these in my next giveaway! :) Keep an eye out for more details on that. And check back tomorrow for my first impression vlog! :)

Thanks for checking in! I love y'all! <3

Makeup Talk: Lip Primer

Let's have a discussion today! :) I was just scrolling through my newsfeed on Facebook, and I saw this post about "Lip Primer: is it worth it to buy it?" So, I commented on it. And then I decided to start a discussion on here with my viewers. 

The topic will be about lip primers (obviously), and I am asking all of you to answer these three questions:

1. "Do you use lip primer?"
2. "Why do you (or why don't you) use it?"
3. "Is it worth it to buy it? (Would you recommend it?)"

My answers are:

1. Yes I do! :)
2. I honestly love lip primer. I have two different brands of lip primers: Femme Couture, and e.l.f. Cosmetics. Frankly, the Femme Couture ($8) does not work nearly as well as my e.l.f. Cosmetics ($3) primer. Plus, the e.l.f. Lip Primer is a nude-ish color, so when you put your lipstick over it, the color is definitely TRUE color.
   Even if I eat or drink or anything, the color stays. Don't get me wrong, some of the lipstick or gloss will come off, but it keeps the color intact. It really helps if you blot your lipstick after applying primer and color. That's the best way to keep it on all day. 
3. I would say, yes. It's worth it. For me, it keeps my lip color on all day.

I want to hear from you! Comment with your answers, and feel free to discuss it with each other, too!

Thanks for stopping by! Keep checking in for more posts like these :) I love you all! Peace, love, and namaste! <3

Instagram Giveaway Winner! 8.15.14

Unfortunately, I only had 6 entries in my giveaway from this week :( But I still picked a winner anyways. I used a random number generator online, so that it would be totally fair. I got the number 352, so I chose the person who picked the number closest to this.

Our winner was @xo.yasminn with a winning number of 450! Congratulations! :) I will mail your makeup on Monday! Thank you for participating, and keep an eye out for my next giveaway! :)