My 10-10 favorties

Today is ten ten. It's like 11-11, but not as cool. Anyway, I just decided that this deserves a favorites post. (I wanted to do a September Favorites, but it's too late for that so I made up my own thing. Deal with it.)
So, here goes:

1.) My Graphing Calculator-
 Sorry, I know this is really nerdy. But I just want to be honest. I got a graphing calculator and I LOVE it. It makes math so much easier, and to be honest a little more fun. Furthermore, it's really easy to use. I love it. (It's the model Texas Instruments 83 Plus, and I got it at Staples for $115 but I know you can get it cheaper on Amazon or Target.)

2.) Cambridge and Thames Sour Lemon Drops
I'm a sucker for anything lemony. Anything at all. That's why I was thrilled when I got these lemon drops for my birthday. At only 5.15, the price isn't bad and they are deLICIOUS first, their coated in powdered sugar for a sweet start. Then, though, you get to the lemony bit and it's just sweet enough to be pleasant and just sour enough to be interesting. It's all so nicely balanced, and so lemony. <3

3.) My Vera Bradley Post-It's and Pens
These are just plain old fun. Thet're jazzy, but also utilitarian- the post-its work well and the pens write beautifully. perfect.

4.) Sour Patch Watermelon
I got a box of these for my birthday and MAN are they delicious. They're large and chewy and sweet and sour. They remind me of just sitting back and chilling in the summer. I know that's sort of general and weird-sounding, but that's what they taste like to me. 

5.) Wet n Wild Juicy Lip Balm
All the things in this favorites are fun, and this is no exception. This lip balm is absolutely addicting. It's kind of large and it smells nice (like strawberry flavored stuff), so I always look forward to putting it on. It's also tinted a really pretty shade and has SPF 15. What's not to love?

Alrighty, that's this months 10-10 favorites. They're all fun and I would recommend them all to my friends and strongly discourage them to all my enemies. (kidding c: )

ooooo (hugs)

The Perfect Facial

Skin. It's the body's largest organ and one of the most difficult to maintain, especially for teenagers.One of the best ways, though, to give it the flawless, acne-free finish that you desire is to give yourself a monthly facial. While you may think of a facial as an unobtainable, salon-only treat, it can be broken down into several steps and then customized based on your needs, money, and time constraints. 
However, if you're thinking about putting "the procedure" off, don't. Most dermatologists believe that the fall is the best time for a facial. You've just had two to three months of exposure to harmful UV rays, chlorine, and extra oil from sweat, and you're about to head into two to three months of cold, damaging weather. It's the perfect time for a pick-me-up for your face if you're only going to do it once a year.
So, this is the way I do my facial. However, it's completely customizable. You can skip steps, add steps, make your own treatments, or buy them all. 

My Facial: Top Row Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Cleanser, DIY mask, Kiss My Face Honey Calendula Facial Lotion. Bottom Row: Salt Water toner, lipton tea bags for eye cover up, and St. Ives Apricot exfoliant

Here's how it's done

1.  Planning- Planning is what takes your facial from good to spectacular. You'll have to plan the basics, like what products you want to use and such. However, you can also plan details like a perfect playlist to listen to while you pamper, the activities for any down time in the facial (masks), or what problem areas you specifically want to target in the facial. 

2. Cleansing- This step is pretty simple: was your face with your choice cleanser. Because I gave myself an "anti-acne" facial, I used my Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash. 

I've mentioned this stuff before here. It's pretty nice. Always wash your face with lukewarm water: anything hotter could burn you, or basically undo all the love you're giving to your skin. 

3. Exfoliate- Exfoliating is both my most and least favorite part of a facial. Whenever you try it, you feel like you're hurting your skin by scrubbing the little particles all over, but when it's over  your skin is soooo smoooooooth. It's the part of the facial that gives you results instantly, especially if you haven't been giving yourself facials regularly. I like to use the Saint Ives Apricot Exfoliant. It says you can use it 3 to 4 times a week, but over-exfoliating is tough on skin so I use it once a week at most. A lot of times products will recommend using more of the product than necessary because then they can sell more units. Make sure you research how much of all products you really need, and see how your skin reacts. No one else has your DNA, so it isn't always necessary to do the dame beauty routines as someone else. Experiment!

4. Steam- Perhaps the most neglected aspect of the facial is the steam. Steaming is especially effective for anti-acne treatments as it soften the outer layers of the skin, allowing the dirt, bacteria, and oil that causes acne to escape. One big no-no of the steam though, is "tenting", or putting a towel over your face to prevent steam from escaping. Instead of lifting the impurities out of the skin, tenting traps them in. For an easy steam, simply boil water in a large pot, adding scented essential or oils or basil leaves to give it a fresh scent. When the water has begun to profusely steam, pour it into a bowl and rest your head above it for 8 to 10 minutes. If you need to, take a break for some cool air. 

My steam- fresh basil to give it a scent.

5. Mask- The mask is definitely the most fun part of the facial. It feels so lovely and girly to slap a mask on and sit around painting your toenails or reading magazines. They are also one of the easiest things to DIY: I made one (see photo) comprised of honey and cinnamon (I added a bit of lemon juice too) from a recipe on Michelle Phan's website. 

6. Tone- Okay, I lied before. The most neglected part of the facial is the tone, and this absolutely sucks because it is so helpful. Toning makes any facial completely customizable: just pick something about your face you'd like to fix (for example, anti-acne, anti-aging) and google a toner to help target that specific problem. Because my entire facial was anti-acne, I took a tip from Andreas Choice and mixed salt with water for a super simple and yet effective toner. I just mixed it all up, soaked the mixture in a cotton ball and spread it all over my face. 

7. Moisturize- Do not skip this step. Especially after a facial. You've just subjected your face to a ton of water, products, towels, and many different temperatures really quickly, and your skin is probably reeling! Care for it with a nice moisturizer. 

Alrighty. That is the perfect 7-step facial. Seriously, you've got to try it. It's the perfect time of year, it's easy, it can be fast if you need it to. As Nike says, "Just Do It."


ooooo (hugs) 
Shana

The Little Things

Hey There!
How are you?
I'm good. A little tired. (Basically the life of a high school student.)

Anyway, today we're going to talk about The Little Things. "The Little Things" are not the best high end lipsticks or the best Kim Kardashian makeup techniques. They are the small ideas, products and methods that make your life just a tiny tiny bit easier. And honestly, who wouldn't love that?

So, let's start off:

1. Water~ Alright. This isn't really a little thing. It's a big thing. It's a really big thing. But too often I forget just how important water is,  and how drinking more of it can help in more ways than one. First of all, some myths debunked: you don't need to drink eight glasses a day: That was a suggestion rather than a scientific theory. However, you do need to drink enough that you feel well hydrated and satisfied. Also: drinking more water won't usually make your skin look better, because the first few layers of your skin are all dead, meaning water isn't being actively sent/used to them. However, if you exfoliate regularly, you may notice drinking an abundance of water will make a difference in your skin. Water just makes you feel better though; I was dehydrated for a few days this summer and it was torture. Just saying.

2. Tea- specifically the Green Tea with Mango from Bigelow. Tea has endless benefits: anti-cancer properties, anti-heart disease properties, anti-hypertension properties, and pro-happy properties. Amazing, huh? Normally I don't love tea: the weird watery taste is quite strange, but this stuff is great. Really, really great, and it contains just the right amount of caffeine to wake you up while sparing the jitters. Perfect. 

3. Easy French Manicure Tip- for the perfect round edge, put the curved edge of a band-aid a millimeter or two away from the tip of your nail and paint over it. Voila. The perfect french manicure. 

4. Lipstick as blush- Whoever discovered this works is a genius. Just take any lipstick, draw a little on and blend your heart out. Your lipstick and blush will never clash, you'll save money, and it has great staying power. Who wouldn't love that. (I love Ballet Shoes from L'Oreal (reviewed here)). 

5. Dixon Ticonderoga Pencils- For those of you in school, I  would highly highly recommend these. They have gummy pink erasers that are like magic wands and soft dark lead that makes every word look smarter. Just saying. 

So those are the little things for now. :) I hope you liked them. 
ooooo (hugs)
Shana

P.S. exciting moment of the day- I asked Louise Sprinkle of Glitter a question and she answered it in a blog post. How cool is that?

P.P.S. dumb moment of the day- I was making a ton of pasta for my friends and I was so busy and rushed that I poured the pasta and water in at the same time and then spent 25 minutes draining the pot with a bowl and a small strainer because the pot was too heavy to pick up. yup.

Apologies and Birthdays

Remember how a few weeks ago we had a little chat? 

Guess what. It's that time again. Go grab yourself a little something to eat or drink, something healthy, and then read on. We have some things to cover

School has begun, which threw my life not through a loop, but through a gigantic roller coaster-sized spiral. The first two week of school I had literally no free time. I woke up, went to school, did after school things, came home, ate dinner, did homework and went to sleep. And what was I thinking while I did this? Wow. I have no time for blogging, do I. I'm going to have to give it up. But then this week everything seemed a little bit easier. I had a little more time. I read a sprinkle of glitter post that encouraged me to blog my little heart out.  And I realized that I could do this. I could make it work. So I will.

Anyway, until I get my time management down, nothing on this blog will be regular. At all. But I promise you. There will be some things. I really, really want to make this work. 

Anyway, this past weekend was my birthday, so we can talk about that a little bit!

I got a new phone! The T-Mobile Concord, which I'm quite enjoying. I think I may review it (comment on this post if you are interested) but for right now I'll just say it does nice texting, I have a nice plan, and the Internet is nice.

my boo

 I also received (drum roll please) BEN RECTOR TICKETS. If you don't know Ben Rector, I don't know what you are doing with yourself. Go hop over to iTunes or YouTube and listen to some songs. I like "I Like You" and "Making Money" and "Thank God for the Summertime" and "Forever Like That". I am extremely excited about it and it will probably pop up in blog posts between now and the time that I go. Just a warning. 

As part of the birthday shebang, I also went to see the One Direction Movie. Even though I'm not really a "Directioner" I was entertained by the movie and by the looks of the five boys. Let's be honest. They're all gorgeous. Especially Harry. Just saying.

Alright. I think that'll be all for today. I so badly want to make this work, and I am going to try really really hard to swing it. Hold on.

oooooo (hugs). 
-Shana

We Need To Talk. ♥

Hi there. 
Today you and I need to have a little talk. 

 So. How have you been? I've been pretty good too. I watched a few episodes of Bones today. It's a cool show. You should watch it.
I'd like to give y'all a small update about blogging, because I messed up a little today, and I want to explain some things. 
I'm trying to blog as much as possible because when school starts, I am going to get caught up in absolutely everything and we won't be able to have as many chats like these. So, I just wanted to say hey. I meant to put out a really nice blog post tonight, but then I realized I didn't have the proper amount of time to give you the truly excellent post I know it can be. 
I know I'm trying to squeeze in lots of posts, but I'd rather give you a few really awesome blog posts rather than a lot of crummy ones. So sit tight. The post that's in the works took a little more effort than I expected, so I can't give you a real concrete date, but I'd say expect it up by Wednesday. I'm really sorry. 

Anyway, I feel sort of bad getting you all excited and then not delivering, so I'm going to give you a very small Happy Kit.
What is a Happy Kit? 
I am not sure. I just made it up. But here goes. 
*Open when you are feeling down*

A song:
This is basically summer in a song. It just came out, but I can already tell it will be my little breath of summer in the cold months. I love it.
Thank God for the Summertime.

A person:
Do you ever meet/find someone that are just so happy all the time it actually makes you feel happier? Well Nikki Phillippi is one of those people. Her husband and her make videos that just make me smile, while at the same time educate. Strange and wonderful!
Nikki Phillippi.

A food:
For an at home treat, make cinnamon sugar toast! Simply grab some bread, toast, it, butter it, and sprinkle some cinnamon. Delicious and even satisfying to that hard to scratch cinnabun craving!

A movie:
I'm sure you can get this illegally, but I don't know where. The Parent Trap. Oh my goodness. What an AMAZING movie. It always cheers me up.

A book/magazine:
Real Simple, the magazine. My grandma gives me her issues and I absolutely love them. They're fun, easy to read, and educational. I just can't get enough.

Alrighty! That was a nice little chat, and a nice little happy kit. Thank you so much for being patient with me. I have a "life" post coming out probably Monday, and the big post will be out by Wednesday. I love all of you so much. Have an amazing week.
shana
oooooo (hugs)
 
 

Technical Difficulties!

Hey everyone!
I hope your day is going totally fabulous. Mine is! I just gave myself a facial and will probably move onto a manicure real soon. It's a pre-school pamper day.
Anyway, because my blog is just starting out, I need to do some very small technical adjustments and had to make this post. There will be a real post coming out late in the afternoon or the night though, so sit tight for that. I've been planning for it all week and I can't wait to publish it <3.
Thanks so much for being patient, Shana
ooooo (hugs)
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My First Day of School Outfit!

Howdy. :) 

Today we are going to talk about something very near and dear to my heart: my back to school outfit. I usually think about what to wear on the first day for the majority of August, and then figure out the precise hair, makeup, and accessories to go along with it. I know, I know, it's a little excessive, but the first day of school is a blank slate. Besides your friends (and let's be honest, you aren't really dressing to impress them) you haven't seen anyone in two months, so why not make your first impression (in two months) a good one? Mostly, though, I always feel a little more excited and ready for school when I know I'll be wearing something nice. And that's what looking pretty is all about.

So, I went out and bought a new shirt and played with my hair annnnd Voila! My outfit. Let's begin.

So, let's start with the outfit:

I decided I wanted to look "Classy Casual" on my first day. So I got this top from Forever 21 for $17.80. Pretty classy? I think so. I like it because it's really versatile. I can wear it with jeans, like I am here, or tuck it into a pencil skirt and add a blazer and it's perfect for Model UN. 

Makeup:
Especially for school, I like to wear makeup sparingly, so this look represents that. It's a little nicer than a naked face, but it's inconspicuous enough most people won't realize you're wearing makeup at all.

Here is how it's done:
1. Wash your face. I used Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash reviewed here.
2. Prep with lotion such as the Kiss My Face honey calendula lotion.
3. Conceal. (Unfortunately this concealer is old and no longer has a tag on it, so I have no idea what brand it is, but any concealer will do.)
4. Powdered to prevent shininess, especially around the concealer. I used Covergirl Clean Pressed Powder in 115 Natural Ivory. For this and the blush, I used the brush shown front and center which is from Ecotools.
5. Proceeded to blush, using Covergirl's Cheekers. This is old and discontinued, I believe, but the color is still out there.
6. I did this in a weird order just to change things up, so proceeded to lips, which I like to prep with lip balm. I used my EOS lipbalm in strawberry sorbet which I reviewed here.
7.  Add lip color, like the 135 Ballet Shoes from L'Oreal. It's sort of light and pink and frosty. I reviewed it here.
8/9. Finish up with eyes. for my inner corners, my brow bone, and the inner corners of my bottom lash line, I used a 24 Hour Color Tattoo in "Too Cool". For eyeliner, I used "Tough as Taupe" to make a light brown line on the outer edge of my bottom lash. I reviewed both of these
here.
10. Finish off with a light coat of mascara. Covergirl's Lash Blast Volume in Brown works for me. 
 

 Voila! completed look.

I occasionally use a bit of bronzer, but for this look I would not recommend any. It can look a tiny bit (excuse me) whore-ish with the very pale lip color. 


Accessories! 

Staying with the classy casual vibe, I purchased these earrings for $1.80 from Forever 21. What a steal!

As for hair accessories, I decided to stay with the sheer fabric theme and go with a set of three hair bands from Wet Seal for 6.50 here.  I chose the peachish colored one. 

Hair!

As for hair, I kept it simple with the tutorial shown here.

So, that is my outfit of the day. I think I'll have another one coming out next week sometime. i've also been preparing all week for a really cool post that comes out tomorrow! It's another beauty one. Expect more high school ones next week. Lots of Love, shana <3

ooooo (hugs)