Dull 'Do?

To turn your regular shampoo into the ultra-clarifying kind, try this: add up to 1 tsp. baking soda to your usual amount of shampoo and apply like you normally would.  Rinse in cool water to seal your hairs' cuticle and bring out the shine.  After drying, hit the cool button on your blow dryer to "reset" the shine!

Bonus tip: for even more shine, add a drop of lemon juice or lemon oil to your final rinse or if it's available - use a pitcher of snow you've let melt.  The higher acidity of both mixtures makes your hair crazy shiny. 

Just don't do it everyday - it can strip if used too often.

You might also like: 20 Uses for Baking Soda

Another Bitchin Deal from e.l.f.

Score this 27-piece (!) mini-makeup kit from e.l.f. with ANY purchase! Kit includes:

-9 eyeshadow shades

-1 cream eyeshadow shade

-1 blush

-1 bronzer

-10 lip gloss shades
-1 brow powder
-1 eye liner pencil
-1 dual ended eyeshadow applicator and brush
-1 face brush
-1 lip brush

Use promo code LOYAL when you check out and the kit will be automatically added to your order.  eyeslipsface.com

I have bought from this company several times! They have high-quality makeup starting at just $1!  Not a huge fan of their mascaras or basic line lipglosses, but I love the Studio line face products and all the full-sized brushes.  (My two-year-old niece "borrowed" by powder blush for a week when I babysat - it went everywhere with her and totally survived it unscathed!) 

Sign up for their emails to get great coupon codes - I don't post them all here.

BOGO Free Herbal Essence

Teaser...

Buy One Get One Free coupon for Herbal Essence in upcoming Sunday paper. 

(For free styler)

Free hair product sample

Get a free sample of Triple Silk Moisturizing Shampoo/ Triple Silk Deep Penetrating Conditioner from Perfect Results!

- Thanks Freebie Blogger!

Burt's Bees Sample still Available

I got mine last week - the serum.  It's for acne but it's made with tons of natural oils. Crazy, but it was amazing on my skin! I am buying some full-sized!
Go here for yours. 

(Thanks Freebie Blogger!)

But I'm so pastey!!

Try this cheap trick:  add a little sifted cocoa powder (unsweetened) to your body lotion and apply to exfoliated, moisturized skin.  I've found this works well with cocoa butter and the cheaper the better (I think bcs the less expensive brands tend to have a higher oil content).  This technique is tricky to master so don't wear white the first time you try it - but once you get it down it's totally worth it! Best of all it leaves your skin with a very soft exotic fragrance, oposed to that offensive "cheap pancake syrup" smell common to bottled self-tanners.

Getting Pale?

We all know the potential risks of overdoing the tanning booth (skin cancer, wrinkles), but some of us rationalize that when the summer sun tucks away we need to fake it to get our vitamin D.  But tanning beds, even the higher-spectrum ones, don't deliver the same span of vitamin-producing, depression-smashing UVA/B rays you get from the sun.  The verdict? Head outside even when you're freezing your ass off.  There's just no substitute. 
Note: Some dermatologists recomend their patients w/ acne tan for a few minutes per week (that's it though) because the artificial light is broad-spectrum enough to kill blemish-causing bacteria on skin. 

DLS: Dirty Little Secrets

So, I'd been using the same apricot scrub forever, but I'm reading the label and guess what the main exfoliant is?  Cornmeal!! The scrub itself is relatively inexpensive, but it doesn't get any cheaper than buying one cornmeal box that will last you for years! Add a pinch to your regular face wash to get a great scrub!  I haven't bought an exfoliator in over a year.

Bath and Body Works Freebies

Awesome coupons from B&BW -
(1) Free antibacterial hand soap with any purchase (up to $5 value) - any means you can grab one of the $1 travel or clearance items and qualify!
(2)  Free signature collection travel-size item
(up to $5 value) - also with any purchase
(3) W/ $10 purchase - Free signature collection body item (up to $12 value)
(4) W/ $15 purchase - Free armoatherapy or True Blue Spa item (up to $15 value)

These are available until September 27th.  Thanks Hip2Save!

Half off e.l.f. Brushes!

Woohoo! These are the only brushes I use - I love them.  50% Right now on all brushes - check it out here and use code EGBRUA.  For those of you who've never tried e.l.f. - the Studio line is great (wait for a sale though).  As for the original line - I would skip the lip glosses and make sure that if you get one of the customize-able compacts you use a seperate one for powders and for liquids/glosses because they tend to mix.  I have been really satifistfied with everything else.

PS - you can usually score some other great coupon deals on shipping, etc.  by checking out RetailMeNot.  (Check here before you buy anything online!)

DLS: Dirty Little Secrets

Tub Tip:  I have been doing this one for years - while the tub is filling up, add 1/4 cup honey to your water.  Pour honey straight into a 1 cup measure, fill the remaining 3/4 c. with warm water, stir then add to bath.  I also like to add a few cups of whole milk powder.  Sounds crazy I know, but it leaves my skin soft as butter!  (Try Nido brand - available at Walmart in the Kool Aid aisle.)

DLS: Dirty Little Secrets

Know how they say it's damaging to wash your hair every day? Well, it might be true - but who wants to run around with the greasies? Part your hair a little aside from where you normally do and sprinkle a puff of talc on your roots.  Do this on a few places and use a soft-bristle brush to even it out.  I started doing this when I had platinum blonde hair because I knew it wouldn't show, but I do it now that I have light-brown hair and it still doesn't show - just soaks up excess oil so I can avoid overprocessing my hair.  DLS - Bumble and Bumble Hair Powder retails for $35 for a 3 oz. can - Ouch! This method works just as well. 

DLS: Dirty Little Secrets

As I'm in the bathroom stall at Smith's yesterday using a clean seat protector to blot the oil from my face, it occurs to me that this is a little weird.  So glad no one else can see me right now.  I can't tell you how long I've been doing this, but it works as well as those little sheets from Bath and Body works.  If I remember correctly, I was watching Regis and Kelly Live when Kelly Ripa gave that tip to viewers.  Don't know how she came up with it but I love it!

DLS: Dirty Little Secrets

This is the time of year when sunscreens and oils go on sale.  My favorite is Hawaiin Tropic's deep taning oil.  My DLS: I use it allll winter long as soon as I get out of the shower.  The smell reminds me of summer on those chilly days (nix the perfume), plus it's an amazing moisturizer.  Just make sure it's all absorbed before you dress.