DIY~ Peppermint Body Scrub!

With two days away from the Christmas holiday, people are scrambling for any idea that will keep them out of the long store lines. This DIY is simple, quick, and easily under $5. This peppermint scrub is perfect for anyone and the ingredients are items typically found in your pantry. Let’s begin!

The ingredients include a jar, I used a mason jar, 1 cup of sugar (Epsom salt or sea salt can be substituted), 1/2 cup of coconut oil, 1/2 tsp peppermint extract, optional 6-7 drops of red food coloring, candy canes, and a bag to crush the candy canes in. Sugar can be substituted for salt for a more coarse texture. I simply used whole coconut and melted it down into an oil. You can buy the coconut oil separate as an oil, though.

Mix sugar, coconut oil, and peppermint oil. For a more moisturizing scrub, add about 1/2 cup of olive oil to the mixture. Olive oil isn’t necessary, but will make a more liquefied substance.

Place atleast 5-7 candy canes depending on how much scrub mix you want to make into a bag and begin smashing. I used a rolling pin to crunch the candy canes into a near powder formula. You can either drop 6-7 drops of red food coloring into the candy cane mix for brighter canes or drop the food coloring into the sugar mix.

Spoon even amounts of the mixtures into your jars and decorate them with ribbons and stick-on letters. Pick out your  favorite bow and place it under the tree. Be sure that whomever you are gifting this body scrub to does not have any allergies to the ingredients. Wrap it up or simply enjoy it for yourself!

Who Wore It Best: Keke Palmer Vs. Erika Christensen!

Naven’s Siren Gown in ‘Vegas blue’ was both worn by Keke Palmer and Erika Christensen. The question is, which wore the dress to its full potential? Keke alters the dress by shortening, adding a leg slit, and modifying the fit. She pairs it with black platform strap sandals and a light grey clutch. Keke keeps the makeup very neutral paired with a light smokey eye. Both celebs have their hair in similar up-dos consisting of low buns. Erika keeps the dress in its formal fit from the runway. She adds a pop of color with a bright red lip and larger earrings than Keke’s. The larger earrings adds more glamour to the blue gown. Erika has a black clutch and a more dramatic smokey eye. The winner of the Naven Siren Gown is…. Keke Palmer! Long, effervescent gowns absolutely need to be altered unless you have a model-like frame of 6’1 and a size 0. Keke shortens the dress and the leg slit adds a sexy touch, but isn’t so high that it is in the danger zone. Erika would have received higher marks, but the dress looks like it is too large and overpowering her small frame. Keke did a swell job pairing basic items to emphasize the gown.

How to Stay Healthy During the Holidays

‘Tis the season to be jolly–and to gain weight. You spend all year working out and eating right, just for the holiday sauce to come and smother your plan with fat. Don’t let those Santa cookies and powerful punch turn your hard work into the ghost of Christmas past! Use these tips to maintain your healthy diet and stay active through this time of temptation. Let’s begin!

Most holidays are associated with certain foods. Christmas at your house might not be the same without your aunt’s green been casserole, but that doesn’t mean food has to be the main focus. Instead, throw yourself into the other rituals a holiday brings, whether it’s caroling or tree trimming. Focus on the fun and family, not the food. Drink lots of water so you won’t feel as hungry and will be more energized each day. 

Skip the store-bought cookies at Christmas, but do save some calories in your ‘budget’ to sample treats that are homemade and special to your family, such as your  special Yule log cake. Training yourself what to indulge in and what to skip is much like budgeting your mad money: Do you want to blow it on garbage that you can buy anywhere or on a very special, one-of-a-kind souvenir? Just don’t completely deprive yourself on festive days – your willpower will eventually snap, and you’ll end up overeating. Making your own meals also allows you to remove useless sugars and healthify your treats.

The habit: Staying physically active during the holidays. The result: Gaining less weight over the years. The proof: A study conducted by the U.S. government found adults gained, on average, more than a pound of body weight during the winter holidays – and that they were not at all likely to shed that weight the following year. (That may not sound like a lot now, but it means having to buy roomier pants after a few Christmases pass.) The good news is that the people who reported the most physical activity through the holiday season showed the least weight gain. Some even managed to lose weight. This doesn’t mean drop talking to your relatives for the gym each day. Simply add in small exercises throughout the day. Crunches, squats, and back exercises can all be done in bed or near a bed.

You may be celebrating, but that doesn’t mean that that you should send your meal plan (and your judgment) on holiday. Alcohol can interfere with your blood sugar by slowing the release of glucose into the bloodstream; it also contain a lot of calories – 89 calories per glass of white wine or champagne, 55 calories in a shot of vodka, and 170 calories in a pint of stout beer. What’s more, alcohol breaks down your inhibitions and judgment, which makes you that much less likely to resist the junk foods that you would otherwise be able to pass up. Plus make the office Christmas party one that you won’t, regrettably, be able to forget. 

 

Stocking Stuffers for the Makeup Lover Under $5!

The holidays are right around the corner which means buying gifts for all your loved ones. Using Naked palettes, Nars lipsticks, and Benefit blushes as stocking stuffers can really add up. Below are 5 products that equal to be $20.27 all together and can be used to create full faces of makeup. Let’s begin!

e.l.f. Essential Holiday Get The Look Set – Limited Edition $5.00

This holiday set is perfect for the makeup newbie! It comes with one eye shadow brush, black pencil eyeliner, black mascara, an eyelash curler, and one shadow available in two colors.

Essence Beauty Secrets Fancy Lashes (Ulta, $1.79)

These lashes are sure to stand out and come in a thin packaging for easy stocking storing. They are perfect for holiday parties!

Makeup Sponge Blender $3.48

Beauty Blenders are all the rage in the world of makeup, but who want to spend $20 for a little sponge? These are knock-off beauty blenders that are the same formula and under $5!

NYX Butter Gloss  $5.00

NYX Butter Glosses are highly pigmented lip glosses that are so moisturizing it is like butta! These can be ordered online or at your nearest drugstore. NYX glosses have received several awards for being high quality at a low price.

e.l.f. Essential Beauty Book Eye Sets $5.00

The final product a full eyeshadow palette under $5! This e.l.f. palette comes in 3 colors: Natural, Bronzed, and Smokey, along with a primer, eye shadow brush, and eyeliner. This Beauty Book also comes with step-by-step instructions how to apply for day and night looks.