Lotion is something everyone needs. We need it to keep our skin moisturized, to help protect our skin from all sorts of damaging effects from all types of weather, and to help keep us looking young.

However, not all lotions are made equal. Some smell good, others come with SPF, some shimmer,  and some could hydrate even the driest skin, it would have an iguana mistaken for a lingerie model.

It would be ridiculous to have to buy 10 different lotions just to satisfy your everyday needs, right? Not only would it be expensive, but you might not finish them all before the expiration date; that would be money wasted!

So here's some tips on saving some money and making use of your lotion in more ways than one.

If you need extra moisturizing on your feet - there's really no need to buy a special foot cream. All you need to do is apply your moisturizer on your feet before you to bed. Then, wrap it in saran wrap [NOT TIGHT! you don't want to lose circulation!] and then put some socks on. When morning comes, you'll have super soft feet! If you need some more help, do this every other night until your feet are as soft as you'd like.

If you like shimmer lotion but don't want to invest in a whole tube - instead of buying shimmer lotion for $15+ or whatnot, just go to the nearest bargain store or the dollar store and buy a tub/jar of shimmer powder. Then take your moisturizer, put it at the palm of your hand like normal, then add as much shimmer as you want, rub hands together & apply. You can use any type of shimmer as long as its approved to be used on the skin (don't go buying arts & crafts glitter!).

If you want softer skin - just add vitamin E. You can find a bottle of vitamin E oil in almost any store that sells beauty products. Why buy a separate bottle of vitamin E if you can get lotion that already has vitamin E in it? Well, chances are, the vitamin E that's already in the lotion is not a significant amount, but yet they charge you extra for it. If you just used your own bottle and added the oil, you're sure to get plenty of the benefits vitamin E provides and save money. Plus, vitamin E is nice to have around the house anyway because it's got other uses.

If you love your SPF lotion but it just feels dry - again, just add vitamin E to it.

So anyway, I hope these tips helped. I know some of these might sound a little strange, but if you really do the math in terms of price, it really will pay off.

When I was younger, I used to look at some people and think to myself, "My gawd, that's waaaay too much makeup!" Then, as I got older, I started seeing more and more people with plenty of makeup on, but yet somehow, they LOOKED GOOD.

Then I realized, that perhaps the problem isn't having too much makeup on, the problem is having too much of something that isn't right for the person. This realization got me thinking, other people might be confused too! And who knows, maybe it's YOU who doesn't know that you're wearing too much of the wrong thing.

So I've come up with a few very common beauty no-no's. Now, keep in mind, there really are NO RULES when it comes to makeup, whatever looks right on you, whatever makes you feel good,  then by all means, do it. But you can't deny that the rest of society is very judgmental. So without further adieu, here are a few tips:

Colors: Anyone can wear ANY color they please, so long as the SHADE fits you. By this, I mean that nothing is purely black & white, there are some grey areas. And those grey areas are the shades between pure black and pure white, one of them befitting for your skin color and tone [figuratively speaking]. Of course, this means you're gonna have to invest a little bit of time finding the right shades for you. Just because your best friend looks stunning in a "fire engine red" lipstick, doesn't mean that it's gonna work as well for you. It might be that you're gonna look absolutely gorgeous in a "wine red" and ur friend will end up looking ridiculous in it. This also means that you can wear ANY color eyeshadow that you please, provided that the tone of the colors go with your skin tone.

Liners: I've seen young and old people line their eyes so much, to the point that they start looking like raccoons. The "Bandit" look is for bandits and raccoons, and even pandas... but NOT a good look on people. It makes you look tired, wasted, and frankly... sometimes a bit trashy. The key to lining your eyes is to keep it simple. Apply enough eyeliner to make your eyes look very defined, add a wing if you want to show some personality, add some color to make your eye color really pop. But please, whatever you do, don't put so much that it looks like you went Sharpie-Happy.

Lipstick/Lipliners: Unless you're trying to achieve the Chola or Porn Star look, do not ever line your lips with a dark color, then fill in with a much lighter color. This look ages you, and it makes your lips a lot tinier than they actually are. Always make sure that your liner and lipstick or gloss are within a couple of shades from eachother, if not matching.

Eyebrows: Personally, I don't care if you have full or thin brows, thick or sparse brows, what matters is the shape that you come up with after tweezing, or after applying/filling them in. The shape has to look like something that came from nature. Even if you have no eyebrows (like if you shaved it off completely), when you draw your brows on, draw them the way mother nature should given them to you. Don't draw them super-arched like the McDonalds "M" nearly touching your hairline, or super long and low to the point that they start to connect with your eyeliner. Make them look believable. The reason for this is because the brows are usually the first things people notice on you because it frames your face. If your brows look a mess, no one is gonna bother paying attention to anything else because they will be too busy trying to figure out what happened to ur brows.

Foundation: Some people might be surprised to know that they DON'T NEED foundation. If you're skin is clear, and you really only have a few uneven tones on your face, you do not need foundation. All you need is a tinted moisturizer to help even up your color. For the rest of us, who needs a little covering up, a good foundation is key. But not only is a good foundation key, but the RIGHT SHADE is also the key. If you're wearing the wrong color, it doesn't matter how many layers you put on, it's still gonna look OFF and people will notice. So invest some time in looking for your specific shade, and when you find it, trust me! You won't even need that much foundation in the end because you'll just look like you have naturally flawless skin.

Blush: Blush is supposed to help brighten/liven up your face, NOT make you look like you got a rash. Many people don't like blush or are afraid of blush because they really don't have a clue as how to use it. Here's the secret: during a hot day, or after a jog/run, take note of where you naturally look flushed. This usually occurs on the apples of your cheeks, up toward the temples, and sometimes on your forehead/chin. THOSE are the places where blush should be applied to. Not too close to the eyes, not by your jawline, not in the very center of your cheeks, etc. And again, choose not only the color that you like, but also in the shade that's right for you.

I hope some of these tips helped. Remember, if you have any questions, feel free to message me =)

So you love that lipgloss, huh? How long have you had it? Don't remember? Chances are, you've had it TOO long, it's probably expired.

That's right, EXPIRED! If you didn't know, then I'm telling you now, makeup does expire. There are some items that are labeled with exact dates in which you should toss them, there are others that say 6mos, 12 mos, etc. life span... but MOST makeup products do not come with such information. Therefore, you gotta be a step ahead of the game, for your protection of course.

Rule of thumb is, the more moisture is holds then the earlier it's got to go. Another rule of thumb is, do NOT share your makeup. Whatever you do, you can share clothes, share secrets, hell... even share your boyfriend! But for your health, DO NOT EVER share your makeup. Now, if you're a makeup artist, then you should already know to use brushes which are cleaned regularly AND/OR disposable applicators, so these tips don't apply to you. You have a different set of 'sanitation' rules to follow for the health of your clients.

For the rest of us, we gotta look out for ourselves. So here's a few of the most common makeup products and their life spans. Now remember, all this is approximate. Nothing is exact, you're gonna have to use ur own judgement. If it looks NOTHING like when you first bought, then it's time to get rid of it. If it starts to smell funny, toss it. If it use to be smooth but now it's clumpy/chunky, toss it.

POWDERS:
Includes foundation, blush, eyeshadows, bronzers, etc.
About 3 years. Bacteria can't really survive in dry environments so these types of products are gonna have the longest life span. But remember, they STILL have bacteria!

LIQUIDS:
Usually foundations, tinted moisturizers, even liquid bronzers, etc.
If it's OIL based, 6 months. If it's water based, 12 months. If you use a brand new applicator (sponge/wedges) with it EVERY time or religiously wash your brushes 2x/3x a week, you MIGHT be able to stretch the life span 6 more months. But if you notice the color is beginning to separate from any other ingredient, its time for a new one.

CREAMS:
Foundations, gel type liners, lipstick, blush, etc.
12 months. These types of products hold in a lot of moisture and tends to be very dense in consistency. So regardless of weather u wash brushes regularly or use a new sponge with each application, you still need to throw it out after a year.

LIPGLOSSES:
12-24 months. The more you use it the more bacteria will tend to live in it, meaning you gotta toss it out sooner. The less you use it, bacteria is still present, but you can keep it around a little longer. But no matter what, after 2 years, get rid of it.

PENCILS:
Eyeliners, lipliners, etc.
3 months to 1 year. These are kind of cream based so you really shouldn't keep them around more than one year. But if you use it for your eyes a lot, you might want to toss it as soon as 3 months.

MASCARA:
3-6 months. When applying mascara, we tend to put the wand in and out of the tube, to get more product with each coat per eye. Doing this causes more air to go inside the tube. More air plus moisture causes a happy breeding ground for bacteria. This is why mascara needs to be thrown out as early as 3 months (regardless of how often you use it) and most definitely no longer than 6 months.

I hope this post has been helpful, and I hope you take the time to check out your makeup bag and make the necessary changes. After all, why beautify yourself if it's gonna end up hurting you?

"Hi, my name is Imee and I am obssessed with lashes."

Now that we've got that out of the way, I'm gonna share with you how, and I discovered this through trial & error, to keep your lashes curled, throughout the day or night, no matter.

First, make sure you start off with CLEAN lashes. And by clean, I mean absolutely no residue from last nights party makeup or whatever. Keep in mind, dirty lashes means heavy lashes, and when they're heavy, they're not gonna stay up well.

Next, take a lash curler and start at the base. Pump a few times, then release. Then slide to about midway (between the base & the tip) and pump a few times. Then, NEAR the tip, pump a few more times. So essentially, you're pumping at 3 different places of your lashes.

Lastly, apply mascara how you normally would, beginning at the base and slowly sweep up. As you slowly sweep up, release a bit of pressure toward the tip. This is KEY! My reason for this is, again, the you do NOT want heavy lashes, ESPECIALLY at the tip (the product will weigh it down, ruining the curl).

I have a few mascara suggestions that I personally use & LOVE. These have helped me achieve the look of long, lush lashes and never weighs them down.

1) CoverGirl Lash Blast (doesn't matter if it's W/P or not)
2) NYX Doll Eye Long Lash Mascara
3) Maybelline Great Lash (again, doesn't matter if it's W/P or not)

If you notice, these are not high end mascaras. Just everyday, budget brands. I'm a true believe that more money doesn't necessarily equal better quality.

I hope this helps!

The following may not seem practical for everyday use, but when you NEED your liner to really, really last, you need that sh!t to cooperate! And this is my tried and true method. Others may agree, and some may have different ways of making their liners last. But again, this is what I do when I cannot afford to get raccooon eyes.

First things first... I apply my PENCIL eyeliner like normal. But this time, don't worry about it being perfect, this only serves as a guide to where you really want to define your eyes.

Next, I apply a similar colored POWDER EYESHADOW onto the line. Pat it on with a liner brush or a q-tip, preferably the pointy q-tips made for cosmetic application. This sets in the color and helps prevent oilies from smearing your work. Be careful not to cake it on, as that will totally ruin the next procedure.

Lastly, apply the same color LIQUID eyeliner on top. You can wing it out if you want, or just line as usual. This not only defines your eyes, but it creates a lasting look.

I know some people are thinking that waterproof liquid liner will do that job by itself. But trust me, if you try this method, your eyes will look as freshly applied at the end of the day or night, as it did when you first put it on.

Again, this is not an everyday method of application (unless you have the time), just when it counts. Hope this helps!

Hey everyone! I wanted to share with you a few of my essential brushes. I have plenty, but I wanted to share with beginners (or those who have a tight a budget) the must-have brushes (in my opinion). These might differ from other people's choice 'must-haves', but again, this is just my opinion. I believe you really don't need that much, as some brushes (even when they are made for something specifically) can be used for other things. Just remember, the rule of thumb is that if you think a brush can multi-task, then by all means, use it to multi-task. Nothing is carved in stone here. Also, always wash your brushes (at least 1x a week, 2x if you have the time)! This will help prolong the life of your brushes, and help promote a bacteria free environment for you face. But you DO need brushes, I don't ever suggest using your fingers for any type of makeup application. The reason for this is that no matter how clean you think your hands are, bacteria will always be present. And when you dip your fingers in a product, some of that bacteria will stick around inside the product, and perhaps cause an infection in the future. Which is also why I don't recommend sharing products, ESPECIALLY mascara, lipgloss, eye and lip pencils. With the above said, these are the brushes that I deem essential for any beginners or beauties on a budget.

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1) Powder Face Brush or Flat Top Buffer Brush - Depending on what kind of foundation you use or coverage you like, you're gonna need one, if not both, of these brushes. The powder face brush is great for powder foundation (for example: I use this with my MAC Studio Fix), when you want light or medium coverage. For more fuller coverage, you may want the flat top buffer. The buffer picks up and holds the product better, therefore giving you a fuller coverage. Because of this, the buffer is also better when using mineral foundation (I use Everyday Minerals Intensive Foundation). The powder brush can also be used for mineral makeup, but from my experience the coverage it gives off is too light, which I'm not too fond of. However, if you normally wear liquid foundation and just want to dust on powder to make it stick, the powder foundation would be your best choice (as that is what it's made for).

*My personal picks: Face Secrets Deluxe Powder Brush (available at Sally's Beauty Supply in store & online) and Everyday Minerals Flat Top Buffer Brush (available online at everydayminerals.com)

2) Concealer Brush - I firmly believe that a concealer brush is an absolute must have! Concealer is sometimes used to hide blemishes, right? So if you apply concealer with your fingers, the oils on your fingers might make that blemish act up even more. Using this brush for other imperfections, such as dark circles around the eye area, can prove to be very beneficial too. These brushes (usually made of synthetic hairs) do an awesome job at blending the product so there are no tell-tale signs of a crazy night on the town the following morning. These can also double as loose-eye shadow applicators. They hold on to the powder very well, even when doing a wet application.

*My personal picks: Essence of Beauty Concealer Brush (available at CVS in store and online)

3) Small & Medium Head Eyeshadow Brush - Usually during eye shadow application, you're going to want to wear more than one color. Sometimes, you can just tap off the excess but it's best to have two brushes to alternate. The reason they should be 2 different sizes is due to the fact that our eyes have itty bitty corners that we have to get to. A big ole brush that is made for highlighting the brow bone isn't going to perform very well on the inner corners. But the reason I recommend the small and medium sizes is simple. The small brush can get to the inner corners, smudge your eye liner a bit, and apply shadow under your lashes on your bottom lash line. The medium head can apply colors to the rest of your lid, unlike the large one, which is really only good for highlighting. The medium head one also doubles as a crease brush.

*My personal picks: Sonia Kashuk Fluffy Medium Eye Shadow Brush (available at Target in stores and online) and MAC 213 SE Fluff Brush (available in MAC stores, counters and online)

4) Angled Blush Brush - This type of brush is essential for 3 reasons; it can be used for blush, contour, and bronzing. The angle helps with control over how much powder you want picked up and how much is actually applied on to the skin. Just make sure the hairs are soft and not scratchy as this will greatly affect the overall look.

*My personal picks: Sonia Kashuk Angled Blush Brush (available at Target in stores and online)

This concludes what I believe to be the most important, very basic items in any cosmetic brush collection.

**Options**

Kabuki Brush - This brush comes in very handy when you're into mineral makeup. This brush really helps with application of mineral foundation and setting. But even if you don't wear mineral foundation, it's usually a great buffer brush for bronzers. Also, it does an excellent job at smoothing out harsh lines that could occur from applying blush.

*My personal picks: Pink Kabuki Brush (available at Coastal Scents online at coastalscents.com)

Fan Brush - Most people don't find this brush useful, but I find it a nice little addition to any brush collection. I use mine for several things. It can sweep off all the eyeshadow that falls off onto your cheeks during application without budging your foundation. It also makes a great applicator for dusting on highlighting powder onto your cheekbones, brow bones, and temples. And when you want just a touch of blush, remember just a touch, you can use this to do just that.

*My personal picks: Badger Hair Soft Fan Brush (available at Coastal Scents at coastalscents.com)

Blending Brush - The key to great makeup application is to blend. Sometimes, when you're using 3, 4 or even more colors on your eyes, you're gonna need to blend it all really well (unless you're going for the blocked or paint-by-number look). A blending brush is going to do just that, gently and effectively, without removing any of the color you've already got on.

*My personal picks: Brandon Blending Brush (available at BuBa store)

Hair Style: What can I say? I just love experiementing with my hair!

You might like these if you:

1. Have a natural but non-defined wave to your hair
2. Have a BIT of a frizz problem
3. Color your hair regularly
4. Like to style your hair, esp. in curls w/LOTS of volume!

•Pantene ProV Style Curl Lock Hairspray - This is my finishing spray after I curl my hair, either by curlers, braiding it, or by way of a curling iron. It adds shine and leaves my hair manageable. Plus, it gets it all bouncy.

•VS So Sexy Volumizing Mousse - This was the first product I've ever bought from the VS So Sexy Hair Care Collection, and at first I really didn't think it would be any good. But boy was I wrong! This product totally gave my hair serious lift! Plus, it left a nice little scent.

•VS So Sexy Styling Spray Gel - I'm not in love with this product, but I do prefer it over regular gel. I love that its a spray, but it took some getting use to. Anyway, it leaves my hair smelling good so I keep it around.

•VS So Sexy High Gloss Style Crème - I usually use this after straightening my hair. It leaves a nice scent, and gets my hair all sleek, shiney and soft. Plus, if I use this after I've added TOO much volume to my hair (hello Dolly!), it weights it down just enough.

•Avon Advance Techniques Dry Ends Serum - I use this to tame the frizzies. I really haven't tried any other frizz control product so I couldn't compare it to anything else. All I know is, this product does its job and it does it right.

•TRESemme Thermal Creations Curl Activator Spray - This product is only for heat styling type of curls, meaning not for those who want defined NATURAL curls. Anyway, I love this, it leaves lasting curls, keeps them bouncy, and never tangles.

•TRESemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray - I use this everytime I use any type of heat styling (curling irons, hairdryers, etc.). It doesn't really do anything else, it just helps to keep my hair from frying.

•TRESemme Big Boost Root Lift Spray - Whenever I need volume, and my mousse just aint cuttin', this is the product I use. The bottle is kind of hard to grip when you're trying to spray it from the suggested 10 inches away, but it performs right so I just deal with it.

•TRESemme Freeze & Control Hairspray - This has amazing holding power! Whenever I need hair that stays put, whether it be partying all nite, or windy weather, this is my go-to product.

Hair Care: nuff' said.

You might like these if:

1. You color your hair regularly
2. You've got dry/damaged hair
3. You use styling products and tools a lot

•Garnier Fructis Color Care Shampoo & Conditioner - This has taken very good care of my hair color. I totally recommend it. At first, I wasn't crazy about how it smelled, but it grew on me.

•VS So Sexy Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner - This smells so good! I use this whenever I go out to parties, or just places where I know I'm going to be hugging a lot of people. I want them to get a good whiff of my sexy smelling hair.

•Neutrogena Triple Moisture Silk Touch Leave-In Cream - I like to use this, usually on my wash-and-go days. Its got UV shields, which protect the hair from sun damage and color from fading.

•Fekkai Color Protection Glaze - I am absolutely in love with this product! I use it religiously the first 3 weeks after coloring my hair. It contains UV shields as well to keep color true and prevent sun damage. Plus, it leaves a nice light scent and keeps my hair very soft and manageable. After the 3 weeks, color naturally begins to fade anyway, so I only use this product on the days I shampoo. I feel it wastes the product if I use it too much on fading color. But it does extend the color for at least another 6 weeks. Anything after that, my roots will already be showing so I'm gonna have to touch up anyway.

•Phyto Plage Protective Sun Veil - When I had platinum (yes I said PLATINUM!) blonde hair, this was what I used to keep the color as bright as possible. It was during vacation and I must have hit the pool everyday for 3 weeks straight! And if you didn't know, chlorine is a blonde's enemy, as it turns beautiful yellow gold into an icky moss green! Now imagine what it could do to platinum, bleached hair... yupp! But thank goodness for this product, I didn't have to worry about that. So now, this is my go-to product whenever I hit the pool or even the beach.

•Fekkai Summer Hair Sun Bandana - I use this whenever I know I'm gonna be outdoors for a long period of time (like goin to an amusement park, or hiking, or something). It keeps my hair from frying to a crisp.

SPF Lotion: NO EXCUSES! SPF is a must!

You might like these if:

1. You care about reducing your risk for skin cancer

•Coppertone Sport Ultra Sweatproof Spf 30 - I've used this for years now and I've never gotten burned. I totally recommend this product! I've also tried the one with the higher sun protection, Spf 55, but I found that to be not as creamy as the Spf 30. That means, it absorbed too well and kinda left me dry, so I ended up using the entire bottle in less than a month. At $11 a bottle, it gets pretty expensive after awhile.

•VS Bare Bronze Shimmering Sunscreen Spf 15 - I really only use this on my thighs, decolletage & shoulders. Just where I want my skin to glisten in the sun. The Spf is too low for me, so I use my Coppertone lotion before I apply this.

Yummy Body Care: the title says it all!

You might like these if:

1. You ain't shy
2. You like to smell and FEEL good!

•Super Model by VS Kissably Warming Massage Oil - Great massaging oil, the one I got smells like almonds. I don't know how real almonds are suppose to smell, but bottled up they smell purrrty damn good.

•VS Beauty Rush Body Whip Moisturizing Cream in Strawberry Fizz - Surprisingly, this does actually moisturize. Plus, I hear it's edible...

•VS Sexy Little Things Butter Me Up Whipped Body Cream - This smells so good, but too much can be too overbearing, so use with caution.

Body Skincare: Sometimes, I can't keep me off me!

You're probably going to like these if:

1. You just CAN'T be ashy!
2. You want to retain youthful skin (not just on your face!)

•Johnson's Baby Oil w/Aloe Vera & Vitamin E - I use this at night, after shower or bath, usually and most often during the winter. It locks in moisture really well into my skin, so I'm never left cracked or ashy.

•Johnson's Softlotion Nourishing Renewal Lotion - This is my everyday lotion. Its lightly scented, smells fresh and leaves my skin silky smoothe.

•VS Ultra Softening Body Butter in My Desire or Strawberries & Champagne - I use either one of these every time I go out for a night on the town. More like, partying downtown, LoL. But still, it makes skin shine (strategically applied to thighs for maximun leggy-ness). Touchably soft, and smells real good.

Shower/Bath Body Care: It's all about total beauty! Your skin doesn't stop at your neck, you know!

These may work for you if:

1. You love pampering your body
2. Soap & water just don't cut it!

•VS Stimulating Body Scrub in My Desire - Originally I got this because I just needed a body scrub, and plus I enjoy this particular scent in the VS Secret Garden Collection. This leaves my skin feeling super smoothe. I recommend using this only 2x a week though, it contains a lot of exfoliants (very grainy) and so using it everyday may cause skin to become sensitive.

•Co Bigelow Mentha Body Vitamin Body Wash - This is basically a peppermint infused body wash. If you've ever tried any pepperpint flavored or scented product, you know that it gives off that cooling, menthol-ish effect. That said, I use this product, usually on the hottest days of summer. It cools me inside the shower, and the feeling pretty much stays with me the rest of the day. Plus, it leaves skin smelling so fresh & so clean.

•Olay Moisture-Rinse In-Shower Body Lotion in Silkening Radiance for Extra Dry Skin - I use this when I'm in a rush, but cannot afford NOT to take a shower. This leaves my skin moisturized even after I've rinsed it off and dried my skin, no lotion or creams necessary. (warning: you're still going to need spf if you use this during the daytime!)

Cream/Moisturizer/Oils: Products I love!

These might be beneficial for you if:

1. You've got irritated or sensitive skin
2. You've got oily skin
3. You're acne prone
4. You've got some marks/scars that you want faded (applies to Ly-Na & ScarZone only)

•GoW Calendula/Pineapple HA Serum - I originally got this as a sample and I actually ended up really liking this product. This really helps to soothe and smoothen my skin. I like using this at night, before bed.

•GoW Honey HA Serum - Honey is known for its many benefits. Personally, I love how this soothes my skin, even at its peak during breakouts. It also works wonders when paired with my Ly-Na cream.

•CVS Vitamin E Moisturizing Skin Oil - I like to pair this with either one of my serums, but only at night before bed. Surprisingly, it doesn't make my skin look or feel oilier, but I don't want to take that chance of lookin' greasy. That's why this is only part of my P.M. Routine.

•Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer - When I thought nothing could help soothe the rashes I got from a horrible encounter with a product I was allergic to, I came across this. And I tell ya, I love it! Its a moisturizer and then some! It helps reduce redness AND help smooth out uneven skin.

•Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Daily Regenerating Moisture Lotion - I only use this at night if my skin feels tight. I've tried using this in the daytime, as makeup base, and it just left my face looking oily. I already have oily skin so this may work well for those with dry skin. Anyway, its a really great moisturzer, but not something I'd wear daily.

•Ly-Na Pearl Face Cream - This stuff smells funny, could possibly make you break out, and sensitizes your skin to the sun. But when used properly AND with caution, it does wonders for helping fade old acne scars.

•Scarzone w/Green Tea - I haven't been using this product long enough, at least not on my face. So I can't really say if its improved my acne scars or not. However, it has diminished the appearance of the scar on my arm, I'd say about 2 shades lighter. May not seem much now, but perhaps if I use is longer it may lighten so much that it looks as though it was never there.

Love it or hate it, skinny jeans are here to stay for at least another year or two. Whether or not you're actually skinny is not my place to judge if you choose to wear them. I've seen my share of booty-do's and muffin tops, and quite frankly, I'm over it.

However, what grinds my gears about this trend is the misuse of the pockets. It's simple really, if you think about the purpose of a skinny jean. It's suppose to create a slim silhouette, I mean it IS fitted very close to the body, after all.

So why, oh fuckin' why, do some people (and I say 'people' because dudes wear them too) stick their wallets and mirror compacts in the butt pocket?!? Really though, the only silhouette that's creating is an oddly shaped derrier, where one cheek is square and the other a perfect circle. And don't even get me started on the front pockets! Ladies, do you know how wrong it looks to have a big bulge in the front, NEXT to your nana? It's hot mess, let me say that.

This also goes the same for phones, car keys, VPL (visible panty lines for those that don't know), and basically everything that's gonna dig into or reshape your cheeks and disgrace an otherwise sexy booty. Skinny jean pockets are really only for items like ID's and Credit/Debit Cards (for example if you don't want to carry a purse into the clubs).

I understand the temptation to use these pockets, I mean, why else would they be there, right? But please wear with caution. There's nothing scarier than having a crazy-lookin' growth near your nether regions.

Zit Zapper: Products I found helpful to blast those little suckers!

Your may find these helpful if:

1. You've got acne problem
2. You're NOT allergic to sulfur, benzoyl peroxide, etc.
3. You've got pesky black and white heads (not for cystic acne!)

•Proactiv Refining Mask - Since most Proativ products are benzoyl peroxide based, it tends to cause my skin to break out in a nasty rash. But since this one is sulfur based, I decided to give it a chance. It does a really great job of drying out pimples, causing it to heal much faster.

•AcneFree Terminator 10 - Even though benzoyl peroxide isn't very friendly with my skin, I still like to use this stuff. It does an awesome job of zapping pimples over night. I ONLY use this when I have to.

•Olay Deep Cleansing Clay Mask - I use this every other day, after any of my cleansers. I have ridiculously oily skin, so this product helps keep the oil levels down. Plus, if I happen to have pimples, this products also does an amazing job of zapping them.

•Queen Helene Mud Pack Masque - Honestly, I don't know what real benefits I can obtain from this product, as far as acneic and oily skin are concerned. All I know is, whenever I use it, it calms me down and once I've rinsed it off, my face feels incredibly clean and I feel reguvenated.

Toner/Hydrators: Toners I currently use and have proved very beneficial.

You might also like these if:

1. You've got oily skin, esp. your cheeks, nose & chin
2. You're acne prone

•Dickinson's Witch Hazel Daily Facial Toner - I love to use this when my skin needs to be checked. Its a bit astringent so I usually use it when I feel my skin is about to break out, or has already broken out.

•GoW Lavender Hydrosol - This is good for balancing so this is my everyday toner.

•GoW Pineapple Fruit Hydrating Mist - I use this whenever my skin needs extra cleaning. Pineapple has natural enzymes that eat up excess stuff that shouldn't be in your pores.

•GoW Cucumber Fruit Hydrating Mist - Cucumber helps soothe acneic skin, so I use this when my skin has already broken out.

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Exfoliation: These are the products I use to exfoliate my skin.

You might also find these beneficial if you:

1. Have oily skin
2. Regular breakouts
3. Clogged pores

•GoW Takrai Lemongrass Cleanser - I used this maybe twice a week. To me, it actually smells good even though it looks quite disgusting. It does a very good job at exfoliating, too. After each use, my skin always feels so clean and refreshed. Plus it feels super soft.

•Garnier Nutritioniste Nutri-Pure Microbead Cream Scrub - I use this probably only once a week. The reason for that is because even though it's pretty good for my skin, its got a lot of chemicals in it, which is what I'm trying to stay away from. Most of the other products I use are natural. Anyway, the main reason I can't give this up is because of how soft and smooth my skin feels after every use.

Cleansers: These are the cleansers that I cannot be without! Trust me, I've tried MANY! But these really delievered results results for me.

These might also work for you if:

1. You're in your 20s
2. You've got very oily skin, esp. on your cheeks, nose and chin
3. You're acne-prone
4. You've got sensitive skin

•Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser - I use this EVERYtime I wash my face. It does a very good job of removing makeup, creams, etc. I've used other makeup removers before and for me, nothing works as well as this.

•GoW Castor/Castille Cleanser - I use this interchangeably with my other cleansers, after Cetaphil. This kept my breakouts at bay, resulting in much less bumpy skin. Some said that it would make my skin purge but for me, it just cleared it up.

•GoW Jen's Green Tea/Shea Cleanser - I use this (also after Cetaphil) on the days my skin is on the verge, or have already broken out. Green tea is good for soothing irritated skin and also for helping treat acneic skin.

•Pure Luxe Calamine Soap - I usually use this soap in the morning, when my face is puffy-ish. This helps to calm it, while balancing sebum.

•Castor Oil/Extra Virgin Olive Oil Cleanser - I only use this (usually at night, before bed) when I've been out sweating with a whole lot of make up on. When I use this, I use Cetaphil AFTER to take off any excess oils. This does an amazing job at removing all traces of makeup, dirt AND oil. To learn more about this oil cleansing method, check out http://www.oilcleansingmethod.com/