Thank you all for reading and participating! Get your own maven box at www.Julep.com for only $5 with your coupon code BEAUTYCAREME at checkout!!

Have you become a Maven yet?!

I was given the opportunity by the lovely Jennifer from Julep Maven to check out the cute items received by Mavens all over. She was so generous she decided to share the love and host a Julep Maven box giveaway for one of you lucky ladies Read on to see what the Maven box has inside and what you can do to win your very own! Or redeem your coupon code BEAUTYCAREME at Julep.com to get your first Maven box for only $5 !!!

What is Julep.com all about?!

Julep is a program which starts off by you taking a quick style quiz to find products that suit your personal style. Whether you’re classic, boho, or a bombshell Julep has the right stuff for you. Julep Maven has nail polishes that range in colors as well as mani/pedi treatments. For $19.99 a month you receive a Maven box with cute surprises that suit your style. If you’d prefer to skip a month or aren’t pleased with a specific month’s Maven box contents, you are more than encouraged to skip that month or as many as you’d like. Nail polish junkies, this program is definitely for you!

What comes inside a Maven box?! 

My Julep Maven box arrived in record time! Literally three to four days. It came in a sexy little red box (perfect for the holiday!) with their logo an name inprinted on the box. The contents were wrapped in matching tissue paper, and individually packaged. My lovely little box included two nail polishes (each valued @ $17.00) in shades “Nicole” and “Whitney”. It also included a silver glitter pot to add some glitz to my polish, a glycolic hand scrub and samples of their age defying hand brightener and hand cream with SPF 30. As well as a very sweet welcoming letter. Pretty nice bundle for the price!

Let’s check out the products!

First let’s talk about “Nicole”. The color is a cheery red with shimmer to it, kind of reminds me of candied apples or candy cane red. Check out the picture below to see the shade. I added the glitter to the red for a nice holiday look. I took the pictures without applying top coat, since the polish itself had a nice glossy finish already. Though i do recommend you using top coat to seal the glitter in place, and prevent chipping.

“Whitney” is a nude shade of polish that i definitely adored. I love the look of natural lips and nails, but never find a polish that looks quite as i imagined. I must say i was deeply impressed by “Whitney”, and definitely see me ordering another tube once mine runs out. Check out the shade below! Those pictures were taken prior to applying top coat again so you can see the glossy finish, and it only took me one coat to get that finished look. This shade is described as a “mushroom greige, the perfect neutral” and i most definitely agree with it being a perfect neutral. “Whitney” was my favorite surprise inside my maven box

The glitter pot was easy to apply and came in a good portion. I simply sprinkled some over my freshly painted nails, but you can get fancy and use a brush to do a glitter-version of a french. Glitter always adds a fun and girly look to nails!

The hand scrub wasn’t too impressive, it came out more liquid-like than i’d expect a scrub to feel like. But it cleansed my hands alright. Followed it with the hand cream which had a soft, thick texture to it. I also tried the hand brightening cream which felt silky, and left my hands feeling ultra soft without a greasy feeling. The soft and silky-feel to my hands lasted quite a while, which is a definite plus.  Both the hand cream and age defying brightener had a nice scent to them.

Overall the Maven box program is a great idea at an affordable price. I especially recommend it if you love having your nails done, and trying out new polishes quite often. The price for a Maven box full of beauty surprises is only $19.99 a month and you can skip a month if you’d like. Check out their website www.julep.com to see their products, or take a style quiz and become a Maven!

Finally, how do i win my own Maven box?!

As mentioned earlier i was given the awesome opportunity to not just play with and review their products, but also give one of my lucky readers a chance to win their own!!!

Guidelines to winning your very own Maven box:

1. Insert your email below (Beautycareme will NEVER spam you or sell your email)

2. For an extra entry and higher chance of winning Like Beautycareme on Facebook, or follow on Twitter. ( if you already like Beautycareme or are following, share this page for your extra entry.) Please comment below to let me know you did this step!

*This contest is open to US and Canada residents only.

A winner will be randomly selected and announced on January  13th, 2012. This new years give your nails a new look with your very own Maven box!

And if you just can’t wait for this giveaway to end, get your very own Maven box for only $5 by redeeming your discount code BEAUTYCAREME at the checkout!!! That is an insane deal don’t miss out

Check out my guest post over @ Haircolorcode.com and  read up on a few helpful ways of changing your hair style or adding some color for a new look! Ring in the new year by spoiling yourself with a new look!

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Read the full article Here!

Dermablend leg and body concealer is said to provide better coverage than other concealers, and provides all day protection and hydration. There are various shades to choose from, but for a blended and natural look it’s a good tip to combine two or more shades to get a better match for your skin tone. They also have a tattoo primer which is the base when applying concealer. It’s outcome is said to provide natural coverage for up to 12 hours, and it’s smudge-proof.

So how good is this product exactly?!

The video below will show you how a group of makeup artists completely concealed Zombie boy’s full body tats. I’d say, pretty impressive!
 

Ever used dermablend to cover up your tattoos or scars? How did that work out? In your opinion is Dermablend the best, or have you tried a much better product for heavy concealing???

I’m sure you would’ve never guessed that girl had such a problem with acne in the first few seconds of the tutorial. I like the fact that though much concealer is applied, the final result has a slightly airbrushed and natural look to it.

Pretty brave girl to expose her biggest insecurity on the web wouldn’t you say.. But a great tutorial to share with those who have the same problem. Share your thoughts below

1. Long and sleek with straight across bangs-  this look frames most face shapes well.  It’s a good harmony for high cheekbones or a squared jaw, and perfect cure for large foreheads.

2. Long and wavy with a middle part-  works good on round and oval faces, and balances off a long face.

3. Long layers with side swept bangs-  this style works well with almost all face shapes. Side bangs are a great option, since they can be worn on either side or swept back with a clip. This hairstyle works perfect on round faces.

4. Lots of body and lots of curls-  adding lots of layers to curly hair is a good way to manage over-frizzies and a puffy look. Keeping long bangs that frame your face is a nice way to call attention to high cheekbones.

5. Long bob-  this style isn’t too lengthy, but it is a longer version of a bob cut. Nice choice for round, oval and heart shaped faces. Very easy to manage on straight hair.

6. Long and curly with bangs-  softens square and rectangle-shaped faces, and looks gorgeous on round and heart-shaped frames.

7. Long and feathered-  The ” Farrah” a never-fading classic. Works well with long oval shapes by adding lots of texture and volume. Beware if you have very curly or lots of volume already in your hair, as this look is a bit high-maintenance.

8. An updated mullet-look-  can’t decide if you want it long or short? Try this look which can easily be transformed into a short bob with bobby pins, or keep the length in the back layers.

9. Long and parted to the side-  sometimes switching parts can give you a new look. Straight on top with long layered waves adorn an oval and round face very nicely.

10. Long and wavy with lots of layers- this hairstyle works well on balancing all frames, keeping short layers by your face allows you to add more body to your do and can easily be pinned back.

Which is your favorite style for long hair?!

There is also something called an extended bikini waxing which takes off a little bit more, but you still have a little bit of hair there, like a landing strip. Now, a Brazilian wax is taking off everything, and it also involves taking off everything from the back. And by the back I mean the bum, so all the hair that grows on your bum will be waxed as well.

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So, what happens during a Brazilian wax?

I noticed there are a lot of people on the internet, most of them who never got a Brazilian wax before, asking questions about the procedure. What happens in there? Does it hurt? How much does it costs..  and so on and so forth.

I have been to a lot of different places and I think I know the drill pretty well. It varies a little bit from location to location but basically here is how it goes.

If you never got a Brazilian wax before, the aesthetician that you will meet at the salon will probably briefly explain the process before she starts. After that you will be asked to remove you clothes from the waist down. Yeah, you will have to get naked for this. The aesthetician usually doesn’t leave the room while you are supposed to undress, so you don’t have to be surprised if she stays in the room preparing the wax or something.

Depending on the location and the person that is doing the procedure you may get a disposable panty that you can use to cover yourself and also to assist the aesthetician doing the waxing. Again this isn’t always happening, some places do it some don’t.

Once you are naked you will be asked to lay on the bed on your stomach and the aesthetician will start waxing off your bum area. This is done using a special type of wax, called hard wax. When using hard wax there is no need to use strips anymore, the aesthetician can just pull of the wax itself. Then, you will be asked to lie on your back so that your front area will be exposed. Usually the waxing begins with the side area and then in goes into the more sensitive areas, like the labia. Around the bikini line and the sides, the aesthetician can use regular wax and a strip to remove the hair instead of hard wax, which is used only for the sensitive areas.

After the waxing is done, any remaining hair will be removed using a tweezers. Be careful though, not all salons do this.

But, will it hurt???

Now, about the pain I can tell you that it didn’t hurt that much for me. You feel a discomfort obviously, but it is not very painful. The pain level might vary from person to person and it pretty much depends on the type of  hair. For people with thicker, darker hair it is going to be a little bit more painful, while for people with thinner hair it’s usually not that bad. Anyways, in time the discomfort level will decrease as your body gets used to it.

What price should I pay and where to get a Brazilian wax?

Try out different places. I have been to places that charge 40, I’ve been to places that charge 60, and I’ve been to places that charge 20. Going to a place that charges more doesn’t necessarily mean that you will get a better service. The cheapest I have found was actually my favorite one, so the price is not directly related to the quality.

Have you gone Brazilian yet?! Share your comments below!

Author Bio:
Cristi is a part time blogger experienced in many hair related topics from various hair removal techniques like Brazilian wax to hair growth supplements like biotin vitamin.

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This trend is pretty vintage, yet won’t ever grow old. Since the color makes a bold statement when dealing with makeup, it’s a good idea to go light on the rest of your face. Meaning opting for more natural-looking eyes and cheeks. A few ladies prefer not to mess with red lipstick due to the fact it can be pretty tricky to pull off wearing it. A nice way to wear it is with just a bit of eyeliner and mascara and peachy/ bronzed cheeks. Just enough makeup to draw attention to the main focus, your lips.

A few brands of makeup promise all-day lasting red lips, personally one of my favorite red lipsticks is Revlon’s Fire & Ice. It applies very smooth, and the color is true to the swatch at the store. I don’t like using the store testers, so I’m pretty happy with my purchase when a product looks as good on my lips as it did on the actual swatch. Here are a few red lipsticks to look through.

red lipstick

Whether you’re dressed down or getting all fancy, red lips are a nice option either way. As i mentioned, red lipstick makes lips look more full and another great thing, they make teeth look whiter. It is possible to pull off smokey eyes and red lips at once, but it’s recommended for a night look. Personally, when wearing red lips not much makeup is required as the color is bold enough on its own.

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When applying red lipstick, be sure to use a lip liner to seal your pucker and avoid any bleeding of the color from occuring. Also, first apply chapstick for a smooth application. Since there are many shades of red, it’s a smart idea to to try a shade you feel more comfortable with. Whether it’s darker red, like a burgundy or a classic firetruck red. Winged eyeliner, with lots of mascara is a nice choice for a vintage feel when paired with red lips. Be sure to fill in your brows for a dramatic, yet natural feel. Use a bronze blush for a high-cheekbone look, and a peachy blush on the apples of your cheeks for a dewy complexion. Red lipstick is a fun way to play with makeup, but the most important feauture when wearing this daring shade is confidence

Do you like wearing red lipstick?! What is your favorite brand and shade?!

1. Mascara

If you can apply some mascara the right way, then there is nothing better to make those eyelashes look gorgeous. The trick is to get all the strands separated from the others without globs of mascara sticking to them. To avoid the globs, apply the mascara first to the base of the lashes with the mascara wand and then wiggle it. Then, using the lash comb, gently brush the lashes settling in the mascara. If you choose not to use the comb, make sure you wipe the excess mascara from the wand with a tissue or cloth before touching the lashes.
Another thing to avoid while applying mascara are smudges. You can do so by applying some powder first onto the lower eyelids and then can apply the coat. Also try not to blink while applying as this can only cause it to stick to your eyelids and not the lashes. If you want your lashes thicker, then apply a second coat of mascara but do so before the first coat dries, or else the lashes will clump together.
Clean your mascara wand at all times, for the best results you can get out of applying your mascara. Use a makeup remover or some soap and water to remove any of the dried mascara.

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2. False eyelashes

There is nothing wrong in using fake or false eyelashes to enhance those strands. These are now gaining popularity all around with most celebrities making use of it to bring the glamorous look to their eyes. If you get the right pair of fake eyelashes, you can make your ordinary eyes look exceptionally good, maybe even making it impossible to tell them apart. But before you invest in a pair, there are two things you need to take into consideration:

• You need to determine the color first. Ideally you need to select a color that closely resembles your own lashes. But otherwise, select dark brown lashes if you have a light brown, while blonde or red hair and black eyelashes if you are a brunette with dark hair.
• The length and fullness is where most women have difficulty. Pick a pair that appears shorter as once you wear it, they would look longer. It is also better to use individual lashes which look more natural than a single strip.

3. Natural remedies

If you don’t want to do any of the commercial remedies, then there are the home remedies which would not fetch you immediate results, but if practiced regularly would bring the glamorous look you want for your eyelashes. The natural methods are hassle free, have no side effects and are highly effective:

• Before hitting the bed at night, apply a coat of castor oil or olive oil to your eyelashes.
• Sometimes trimming your eyelashes a bit can also provide fast and effective results.
• Apply some Vaseline on to your eyelashes using a mascara brush before going to bed.
• Glycerin and castor oil mixed together in equal quantities applied to your eyelashes is known to enhance growth.

All the above mentioned methods may work for some, but not for others. Since it’s your eyes you are working with, you need to be careful with the application methods and other factors. If you find that a particular brand of mascara is causing eye irritation, stop using it, no matter how expensive or effective it is. Similarly, while applying the glue for the false eyelashes, be very careful as to not apply them on your eyelids. Adding a touch of glamour to your eyelashes is important to look and feel good, but above all, it’s how you carry yourself that matters. So whichever method you choose, make sure you are comfortable with it and everything will fall in place.

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About the author: Amanda Kidd is a blogger who enjoys writing for beauty and fashion sites most. She trusts only organic makeup and beauty products and loves experimenting with different nail art designs.

Don’t forget to follow Beautycareme on Twitter for more beauty, fashion and fitness tips! Stay updated by following her Bloglovin as well!

Here are some easy to follow steps on getting beautiful skin all year round!
• Start your week off by using a gentle exfoliator that will remove dead skin cells and leave you with beautiful skin.
• Follow this up by applying a face mask. Be sure to use one that is made for your skin type and follow the instructions closely. This will leave your skin smooth as a baby’s bottom.
• Every morning use a cleanser that is made for your skin type to wash away and dirt and residue from your skin.

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• Be sure to apply SPF or moisturizer with SPF in it every day. Although you may think that you don’t need protection on cloudy days, studies show that you are still exposed to a lot of rays that can cause long term damage to your skin.
• Change your moisturizer when the weather goes from cold to hot. Your skin will need a thicker moisturizer during the winter, but using a thick cream during the summer will make you glow with perspiration.
• Got pimples? Leave them alone. Popping pimples can cause damage to your skin and is a bad practice.
• Before you go to bed remove all of your makeup so that you have less of a chance of breaking out and so that your skin can breathe. Follow this up by wiping your skin with toner to get rid of anything that may be left over.

This post wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t suggest that you maintain a healthy diet filled with low fat dairy and fresh fruits and veggies. Part of a healthy diet also includes the consumption of eight glasses of water every day. Drinking water is as important if not more than any of the other tips on this post and will benefit you in many ways.

This post was written by Aleya who’s the owner of Spontaneous Chick where you can find beauty tips for women , health tips for women and other women’s issues.

Don’t forget to follow Beautycareme on Twitter for more beauty, fashion and fitness tips!

I love coffee. I should say… I love good coffee. Real freshly brewed coffee, with a splash of steamed (non-dairy because I’m allergic) milk, is my favourite. Coffee is one of my favourite vices. Some days it seems like the singular most important part of my morning, after having a shower. Unfortunately, drinking coffee in the excess of which I enjoy it the most is not entirely beneficial to my health or my skin. I know this; I’ve known it for years.

The last time I tried to give up coffee I succeeded only until one friend invited me out to chat at a coffee shop and ordered the sexiest latte I had ever seen. The smell alone sent me over the edge. It was 3 months, 2 days after my coffee fast had begun. I had switched to green tea. But the tea was only effective if combined with steamed milk and a little bit of Splenda (I was steering clear of refined sugars too). Coffee addiction isn’t just about caffeine after all; it’s the psychological attachment that is the hardest to shake. But when you’re trying to be healthy, and seek after that natural healthy glow, coffee addiction is something that really must be dealt with. Despite my love of the flavour of good coffee and the warmth, taste, and perfect texture of a good “cup o’ joe”, I have noticed that when I drink too much coffee on a regular basis my energy actually depletes at a rapid pace, I get sick more often and my skin appears duller. Seeing as I have a condition which affects my energy levels and immunity anyway I decided that limiting anything that could cause me to feel and look tired was a definite necessity. I used to go to the spa to help deal with this – and it was there they reminded me that too much coffee could cause problems with energy levels.

But is coffee really all bad? Well, no. It turns out coffee is good in moderation (hooray!). One cup a day is actually beneficial which means you don’t have to give it up altogether (nor do I!). It has antioxidants that can be good for your skin and allegedly can help reduce cancer. One great alternative use for coffee is in skincare. It has been known to reduce redness, even-out your skin tone, and increase skin firmness, helping you look younger and certainly not tired. But that’s if the coffee is used as part of skincare regime, not drunk in large quantities. For a coffee lover, knowing that I can cut down on my unadulterated addiction to coffee but still benefit from its sweet smell and better-for-me qualities is a happy revelation.

I’ve decided to cut down on my intake of coffee, and as I did four years ago, switch it up with green teas and fruit smoothies instead to get my hydration up and give my immune system a better chance – not to mention hydration helps my skin from looking dull. A quick recipe I discovered for a great, exfoliating coffee mask is below. If you aren’t in the mood to try a somewhat messy face mask on your own, a facial as part of a spa break can be a great way to try one out, and let someone else deal with the mess!
For those who’d like to try it at home, here’s how it works:

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INGREDIENTS

• 3 tablespoons of used finely ground coffee (grab the leftover from your daily cup)
• 1 small glass of milk (if you have an allergy soy, goat, or hemp milk work just as well as cow’s)

DIRECTIONS

1. Put the used coffee into a bowl. Slowly pour in the milk of your choice while stirring regularly, keep stirring until it achieves a think pasty texture. Avoid stirring too much, or the paste will be too diluted. If mixture becomes too runny, simply add more coffee.
2. When ready, apply the paste onto your face and neck and smooth it all over your face. Avoid eyes and lips.
3. Slowly massage the mixture to your skin, and then allow yourself to relax for around 20 minutes. You’ll feel your skin tighten as the mask dries.
4. Wash off the mask with warm water. While washing, massage the paste to your skin. This will provide further exfoliation, and it feels good! Be gentle with this if you have sensitive skin.
5. Pat your face dry with a towel and apply a good moisturizer while your skin is still damp. This will help seal in moisture.

This is a guest post by K Newey. Her favourite type of coffee comes from Canada and a coffee shop in Los Angeles. She recommends spa vouchers for friends and coffee lovers alike who need a little extra caffeine-free time spent taking care of their bodies and souls.

Don’t forget to follow Beautycareme on Twitter for more beauty, fashion and fitness tips! Stay updated by following her Bloglovin as well!