Keep it clean people...

I found it appropriate to discuss the importance of proper hygiene for your cosmetics and makeup applicators after I received a phone call from a friend of mine the other day questioning why her eyes were getting so irritated and could it possibly be due to the fact that she hasn't changed or cleaned the rubber on her eyelash curler in 7 years?!?!?

YESSSS!!! That tiny little eyelash curler is a bacteria breeding ground! It is recommended that you clean or replace all your makeup applicators every 3 months. It is so simple and could save you the hassle of a terrible eye infection.

All you have to do to keep that eyelash curler clean is:

*take a clean wash cloth and wet it with warm water

*dispense some of your daily face cleanser on to the wet wash cloth and lather it up

*scrub your eyelash curler (use your own judgement to decide how clean it is)

*once all the debris is scrubbed off, rinse the tool in warm water and lay it on a paper towel to air dry (preferably somewhere it won't collect other dirt and bacteria).

Other helpful tips to keep all your eye products bacteria free:

Eyeliner- spray or wipe your eyeliner pencil after each use with alcohol. It will dry quickly and stay sterile... and no worries, it will not ruin or dull the color of your pencil.

Mascara- You should replace your mascara every 3-4 months. #1 Rule for mascara- do not jam your mascara wand back and forth into the tube to get more mascara on it. This causes the mascara to pick up bacteria from the air along with making it dry out quicker and clump up.

Eyeshadow- Like all of your beauty products, you should replace your eyeshadow every year. Keep your sticky fingers out of them! Use a brush to apply or a spatula to scoop it out.

Follow these little tips and you will be sure to keep those little germs at bay : )

xoxo,

Meredith

Breathe in, now breathe out...

Now that I am officially back in action with my first post in many months, I feel "ahhhh" relieved. Blogging about all things beauty is something I am truly passionate about and due to being very busy with trying to organize my life, I now have some time to focus!

While enduring the stresses of the past couple months, I have been scraping to find and try new things to de-stress. Life gets so hectic and in the way at times and it is so important for your health (and sanity) to stay on track and take care of yourself which means...a little "me" time.

Weather it's a candle lit bubble bath with a glass of wine or a Yoga/Pilate's work out at your favorite yoga center, it is so important for you to make time for yourself and to do something each and every single day that makes you happy : ) You will be amazed at how it makes you feel.

Things that I do to de-stress

-Yoga/Pilates in the morning-

I have a few dvd's that I do in the comfort of my own home. GAIAM A.M. Yoga (DVD) gets me going and starts off my day on the right foot. There are 5 -20 minute workouts...one for each morning of your work week! Once you've got some yoga moves under your belt- you absolutely have to (especially now that the weather is getting warmer) put on your cutest little yoga outfit, go to a nearby park (preferably a section with no screaming kiddies), kick off your shoes, and break out your yoga mat. Just close your eyes and soak it all in. The entire experience is beautiful.

-Bubble baths with my fizzies-

I can not rant and rave more about LUSH!! They have so many incredible scents to choose from. And I am addicted.

One look at this little fella....

My Murphy

-Singing out loud for NO ONE to hear-We have all been there...you're driving along all by yourself, singing your favorite song at the top of your lungs, really into it...you look to your right and oh, hello sir!! You're embarrassed, humiliated, turn your head real quick...you do everything imaginable to make it look like you were not just THAT person. Well, if you are anything like me- you keep singing and while you're at it you might even give them a funny face and get even more into. I have proven it to myself time and time again that a.) it allows me to just let go...b.) it makes me laugh hysterically because I act like I'm the winner of American Idol or something and c.) it's totally fun!

Some things out there that can help you de-stress

-Satori Space Prescription Audio-

In Southern New Jersey this service is offered at Virtu. How it works is you are escorted into a private room, you are seated in a vibrational lounge chair, a blanket is placed over you, you put on your headphones and close your eyes. A blend of music, dimentional sounds and tones guide your brainwave lengths into a level of deep meditation while the vibrational chair sycronizes with the sounds and your body leaving you physically and mentally refreshed, rejuvenated and relaxed. The service is 25 minutes long and cost about $50. Anyone and everyone should give this a try!

-Go for a 10-minute walk-

Nature is extremely relaxing. Put on your walking shoes and enjoy the scenery. Keep your chin up as you walk and remember to breathe deep and take in the scenery around you. By the time you return home, you should feel much better.

-Keep a daily journal-

Journaling has long been a way for people to "dump" their problems. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. Just grab a notebook and start writing. Taking ten or fifteen minutes at the end of the day to write out your thoughts can be helpful in releasing stress you'd ordinarily keep pent up inside.

Here are some ways that some of your favorite celebrities de-stress!

How do you handle your stress?

UPDATE

Hey guys!

So sorry I havent posted anything in the past couple weeks. Life has been pretty busy and hectic. I promise to put more time and effort into my blog once I complete school in a couple weeks. Please stay tuned!!

Love,
Meredith

Get Inspired...

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
~Dr. Seuss


Make it a GREAT DAY everyone!!!

And Happy Birthday to my friend Kate!!

Meredith xo

Get the look!

Ahhh, Charlize Theron has done it once again. Let's admit it...shes flawless and a beautiful women who sure as hell knows how to work it. In this picture, featured in the new Septemeber issue of Vogue magazine, she is totally rockin the natural sexy!

To see how you can get this look check out VOGUE.com

LOVE IT!

Meredith xo

Sample Sale Heaven!

Hey All!

So sorry about the infrequent blog updates...I promise to get on here a few times a week! Just hang in there with me...I promise to not let ya down!

So summer has offically (well, almost) come to an end...and if you're like me, you are enjoying this fall like weather we have been having! I don't know about you, but I am ready for a change in seasons...in more way then one!

Hopefully, by now many of you have heard of or at least joined some of the greatest online sample sale websites, right?? If you haven't you MUST! One that just launched yesterday, and I seriously have not stopped jumping up and down with excitement since I found this out, is THE FAIREST. It is completely devoted to Beauty sample sales! YESSSS!!! This site saves you up to 75% off of your favorite products. Today, in it's second day, they are already offering Stila and COOLA Suncare. They are two awesome lines! Coming up sales in the next few weeks include Jurlique, MOR, Butter London, Tarte, and Cosmedicine!! AHHH!!! I am so excited : )

Get to shoppin' ladies and enjoy!!

Meredith xo

BEST IDEA EVER!!!

Sooo, I know I have not posted anything since last Friday and I am very sorry about that. Between school, the new job and totally killing it on my chemistry test...I finally have some "free time".

This afternoon I was browsing through LUSH's website and stumbled upon one of the cutest little ideas ever! If you are unfamiliar with LUSH, they are a fresh handmade cosmetic store. If you have never shopped there before, I STRONGLY urge you to check it out. And, if you are anything like me (someone who takes a bath practically every night), you will become completely obsessed with their bath bombs! Super moisturizing and the scents are so relaxing. I am always stocked up!

Anyway, for all you ladies out there who are getting married, LUSH has come up with the cutest favor idea! They have created 2 limited edition bath bombs "White Wedding" and "Butterfly". Not only do they take care of all the little things for you, they wrap them in a biodegradable cello wrap with raffia ribbon and a custom tag, but they are SO affordable- the more you order the bigger the discount!

A great idea for any occassion!

Meredith xo