I've been MIA and also I hit 5000 SUBS!

Hey everyone! So yes I know I've been totally MIA the past month or two and I apologize! I'm not gonna lie, lately it has been hard for me to get my inspiration going and to get motivated to make videos. But it's not because I don't want to. 
Over the two and a half something years now I've been on Youtube I've steadily seen my subscribers and views go up. However something I have mentioned before multiple times in videos is I have almost ZERO interaction with anyone. I'm not sure why, I mean I do get comments on my videos. But my Facebook is completely dead as well as my Twitter and Instagram. I was down in the dumps for a bit about it all but then I realized why I started making videos in the first place. Because I love to be creative and I truly enjoy just the whole process! So I'm just going to stay focused on that while secretly hoping that I will get more interaction from people. It's not because I want the attention or views etc, I just would love to have more feedback and input. I mean that's part of why Youtubers put themselves out there for literally the world to see. Because we wanna hear from you!

Anyway guys I thought it was time that I be straight up and tell you why my videos have been lacking. 
On a side note I have been finding difficulty getting inspiration for DIY's because I want to give something original and fun. Once again I just need to concentrate on who I am and bring that to the table. I'm not gonna care if my idea has been done a million times before etc etc.
In the interim I will continue to do product reviews and such because I am trying out new things! 

Last but not least I want to say a HUGE HUGE thank you to all of my subscribers. I hit 5000 about a week and a half ago and I'm through the moon. Thank you so so so so much!!!
If you are reading this please head over to my Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and follow me! 
Write me something I wanna hear from you :)

Much love,

DIY-Grapefruit Face Toner

As always I'm looking for natural remedies for my skin. I came across a really easy way to tighten your pores (especially if you have oily skin or an oily t-zone) so I thought I would share it with you.
Grapefruit can have several different uses for the skin. One is to help with oily prone skin as I mentioned, due to it's toning and astringent like effects. Two is the scent itself can improve your day! 
The scent of grapefruit is known to have an uplifting, energizing effect as well as stimulating the lymphatic system. It can help with headaches, depression, exhaustion and is a great stress reliever and can ease muscle fatigue and stiffness. 
It's a win win with this easy to make toner.
Here is all you will need:

 Distilled water

Grapefruit Essential Oil & Glass Spray bottle (1 oz)

Fill the bottle with the water and add 8 drops of the oil and you are set! 

Watch my Youtube Tutorial here

After cleansing, spray all over your face and let dry. Enjoy the tightening and refreshing effects!

DIY- Eye Makeup Remover

I've never been one to pay money for eye makeup remover. Mainly because I think it's stupidly overpriced and I always was able to remove my eye makeup fine with my face cleanser.
That hasn't been the case over the past few months, I felt like I was never getting my mascara fully off of my eyelids. So I started my hunt on Pinterest for remover I could make myself and even better with natural products. You only need three ingredients.

Avocado Oil (or Olive Oil), Witch Hazel, and water

Add 2 tablespoons of each into a plastic container, shake and there you go!

 

Check out my Youtube tutorial here

 

Toni & Guy Spring Beauty Forecast Event Party

Check out my vlog here on my Youtube channel

I was so excited to be invited to this Media event at the Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy in Santa Monica.  For those of you who might not know, Toni & Guy Salons have been around for over 50 years this year!  Started by brother team Toni and Guy Mascolo, and then later joined by their other two brothers Bruno and Anthony, the company is now in over 20 countries worldwide.

The Academy location in Santa Monica, CA

They have 20 different Academy locations throughout the US and Canada, and let me tell you it is a picturesque place to learn!

Here is Bruno Masolo (owner) giving a little speech at the event with his nephew Zak Mascolo by his side.

They were offering a ton of complimentary services and so I opted for eyelash extensions! Yumi Youn did an outstanding job. She has the Eyelash Lab in Beverly Hills and another location in Valencia.

Check out her website here: http://www.eyelashlabBH.com

My beautiful friend Becky came with me and got her makeup did :) She has a Youtube channel and is going to be expanding and branching out so stay tuned! http://www.youtube.com/beckyjensen

Lauren Fernald did an amazing job on her makeup. 

She works at the Newport Beach location so make sure you go see her if you are down that way! 

The night was filled with champagne and chocolate covered strawberries, hand massages and of course making great connections! The AMAZING goodie bag that we left with was FILLED with amazing products from Bed Head, Pet Head, Dermalogica, TIGI, and ColorSmash.

This Paint By Numbers book from Toni & Guy is so informative. It's a step by step guide on the methodology for applying makeup.

This mascara is the bomb! Max2 Special Mascara Gold. It's made from natural products like Royal Jelly and Herb extracts. You can remove it with just soap and water, no cleansers needed.
 Also safe for eyelash extensions :)
 It came straight from Yumi Youn's Eyelash Lab.

Cannot wait to try these two TIGI products! 

Bed head is literally one of the best hair products lines out there. I'm looking forward to trying out the "Straighten Out", "Elasticate" Strengthening Shampoo, and 

"Recharge" the High Octane Shine Shampoo

I have heard nothing but amazing things about Dermalogica products. What's ironic is the night before I got these, I was watching Karissa (Saturdaynightsalrite) on Youtube and she was talking ab out the primer. I was thinking to myself how I needed to get some and there it was the next day! Talk about fate :)

I want to say a HUGE thank you to: Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy, Natalie Filetti ( Advanced Education Coordinator) Ameilia Swagger (PR Specialist) Jazmine Graza (Social Media Manager) Joshua Marzioli (Academy Director) Brian Aguliar (Designer 1) Brittany Maher, Yumi Youn, Nathalie Banker (Dermalogica) , Eric for the amazing hand massage, and to anyone else I met and I didn't mention your name! 

This Week's Beauty Finds

Typically every week I will hit up my favorite stores T.J. Maxx and Marshalls on my way home from work. They tend to get new stuff in every week and so I like to check in and see if they have anything new and interesting. I've found quite the many beauty products at both stores that proved to be extremely good. One of the brands I've been seeing a lot of at T.J's is Cynthia Rowley. About two months ago I picked up an eyelash curler and to my dismay it was horrible. The little pad fell out within the first few times I used it (thankfully it came with two spares) however they continued to fall out and really made it hard to curl my lashes correctly. So while at T.J's the other day I decided to give another brand a try. 

Bella Beauty Eyelash Curler $4.99

                                                                                                                                                                              

I really love how this works and the little pad actually stays put! 

Next were these towelettes used to remove your makeup. I've never tried any towelettes before so when I spotted these I thought I would give them a go. They are Grape Seed and Calendula Extract and smell amazing! They work really well especially for removing my eye makeup. 

Nature's Beauty (works) Age Defying Makeup remover towelettes

$3.99 at T.j. Maxx

Finally, I found a product on clearance at Target that I had been wanting to try forever. It's Burts Bees Gud Natural hand cream in "Floral Cherrynova" This first of all smells AMAZING! Second it actually works. It's been super dry and my hands have been cracking and peeling and this cream moisturizes so well without being greasy. I can't wait to get the body lotion!

Target $3.48

Leave a comment if you have tried any of these products! I want to hear :)