DIY Beauty Shop

TGI-Summer!
Going to the beauty shop has been a luxury for us gals for decades.  Having someone to primp and pamper you is a treat. 

There are so many services available these days.  You can go to a salon/spa for manicures, pedicures, facials, blow outs, hair cuts & colors, spray tans, facials, massages, waxes etc…

There’s a reason for professionals in the beauty world and their skill deserves the upmost respect. But they do come at a price and require planning and time.

Vivian's Play Vanity

For as long as I can remember I’ve made my home a beauty shop for the following:

Manicures - I paint my nails each and every Saturday so they’re nice for church on Sunday morning and for the week.

Pedicures - if you know me in real life, you know I have horrendous feet (my sister calls them hooves) so I can’t say I do this at home but my toenails are always polished.

Facials - I use this face mask a few times a week. 

Blow Out/Style - I’m a master with a round brush, curling iron and even hot rollers.

Hair color - I shampoo in semipermanent color to brighten my hair about once a month. 

Tanning - I use a bronzing lotion on my legs from April- October 1-2 times a week. 

I leave these in the hands of professionals: 
hair cuts, about 4 a year
Waxing - a necessity come Summer 
I never ever get massages but if I did I’d definitely be at a spa.
Any injectables 

Vivian was able to get her bandage off on Wednesday and we headed straight for the pool!

We always paint our nails outside!

I encourage you to save some time and money by treating yourself to a day of beauty right at home!

Dress Beautifully Primping at Home

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Around Here ....

ok gals, so posting has been slim - because I've been slightly 'unplugged' spending time with Mr, traveling and settling into our new home. But rest assured I've got a beautiful line up for Fall coming your way.

Here's a peek at what's been going on around here ....

5am wake up call comes very early! purrrr 

Priorities

Fuel break

Hiking at the Whitewater Center

Scragley is sad there's no room for him in my suitcase to visit Mr

Mr to a T: Camo, NC & America

Spending a Sunday Afternoon Swinging 

I'm all about soaking up every moment together

September Issues - addressing Fall's must haves

Custom bedding arrived!!!!  Stay tuned for the boudoir reveal 

I spend as much time as possible in our sunroom

While on a Target run I found these bottles of bubbles with my name on them! #cheers

Uh Self checkout?!!! makes my target runs even more fun :)

This is how I roll - higher the hair closer to heaven 

My Grandma & Mamma taught me all about hot rollers 

Bigger is better #redhairdontcare 

My new neighbors had me over for dinner to welcome me to the hood and you should never come empty handed so I made one of my favorite sweet treats. A healthier lemon pound cake.  And like everything else in my world - dress it beautifully in a decorative bundt pan. 

I've made every attempt to kiss his face off!  

It's important to just sit back and enjoy life and the moments that matter.  

Dress Your Days Beautifully with Lots of Love & Happiness

XOXO Sarah Louise

Faux Tan

There are Few Times when Faux is Better than the Real Thing ... In this Case Faux is Actually Better!!

For this Fair, Freckly Red Haired Gal, Faux Tanning Offered the Impossible Summer Glow

I Love my Freckles - I call them 'Sun Kisses'.  I'm Sprinkled Head to Toe in Orange Spots that Multiple and Mush Together Under Sunshine Giving me a Splotchy Hint of Color.  

I'm just not made for Bronzy Brown Skin but I can Fake it :)

I've Tried all Kinds of Sprays Lotions & Wipes over the Past 7 Years, and I'm Pretty sure I've got this Body Painting Down to an Art 

You can also try Spray Tanning Booths or a Personal Air-Brushed Tan at a Salon.  I Opt for Spray Tans when Vacationing for an All-Over Color when I'm Strutting in a Swimsuit.  
Note: Be Careful if you're a Water Baby it may Wash it off!

Faux Tanning is like Make-Up, it's a Personal Preference.  Thankfully over the Years there has been lots of Advancements and Product Lines to choose from that No Longer give you the 'Umpa-Lumpa' Orange Look. 

Here are Some Factors to Consider when Choosing a Faux Tan:
- Tint - Allows you to See Application Placement
- Smell - Dont' Torture yourself with an Offensive Scent 
- Application - It should be Easy to Cover and Absorb Quickly 
- Transfer Resistance -  You Want it on Your Skin not Your Clothes & Furniture 
- Color - A Shade Darker than Your Natural - Orange is Not Natural nor is Dark Brown if Your Fair

These are Faux Tan Products in my Beauty Shop

1. Sally Hansen - Leg Make-Up 
    This is not Faux Tan, It's a Body Spray-paint
    I spray it on my legs in Pieces - Rapidly Rubbing it in
    I like this Product more for Winter when I want to Skip Panty Hose 
    It's Great for a Special Occasion when you Need 1 Time Color

2. Bare Minerals - Body Tanner 
    This Tinted Lotion Absorbs into the Skin and Lasts for Days
    Multiple Applications will Intensify Color
    It's Paraben Free, Doesn't Smell Bad (to me), & Tinted for Application
    If transfer to Clothing happens it washes out Completely! 
**FAVORITE** It's been a must in my Beauty Regime for over 5 years!
    
3. Bare Minerals - Face Tanner
    This Product is Very Similar to the Body Tanner
    It's a Lighter Intensity - Eliminates the Need for as much Make-Up
    Use Sparingly - Try Mixing it with your Moisturizer 
    
4. Loreal - Bronzing Towelettes 
    Great for Travel - Less Messy over Lotions 
    Wipes are not Tinted so Apply Carefully 
    Absorbs into Skin and Lasts for Day 

 St Tropez - Body Moisturizer  is next on my list to try - Heard Great things!


Tips for Fool Proof Faux Tanning:
1.  Exfoliate Skin 
2. Shave Skin Where Appropriate
3. Skin should be Clean, Dry & Free of Other Products
4. Apply in Sections Thoroughly
5. Concentrate on Main Areas - Lightly Apply Residuals to Feet, Knees, Elbows for Blending
6. Wash Hands Frequently During Application to Avoid Stained Hands
7. Allow Product to Absorb before Dressing
8. Avoid Sweating & Water Exposure
9. Wear Sunscreen when Exposed to Sun (Remember You're not Really Tan)
10. Re-Apply for a more Intense Bronze

Ladies Choose Faux Over Real when it Comes to Tanning.  

It Doesn't Include Wrinkles, Painful Burns or Harmful Cancer Causing Side Effects!! 

Faux is Fabulous!

XOXO Sarah Louise

Orange is the New Pink

Orange You Glad it's Friday??!!! ehhhh Super Cheesy but Seriously I Loooove TGIF!

Fridays are Relief!  Relief from Hard Sweat Sessions at the Gym, Brain Exhaustion from Days at the Office, and Balancing Everyday Obstacles & Stresses.

The Honeymoon/Vacation/Celebratory Approach I've taken with Weekends is as Enthusiastic as Ever.

I'm Almost Equally as Excited about Primping - I'm a Prissy Gal Always Have Been

Orange Beauties!

Pinks and Reds are the Go-To for Lipsticks, Nail Lacquers and Blushes.

I Favor the Oranges.  It's an Overlooked Shade that I feel Brings Brightness to Your Face. Corals also add a Glow to Bronzed Skin (Ladies Avoid the Damaging Rays & Opt for Sunscreen & Bronzer to Achieve a Sun Kissed Look)

Having Red Locks and Lots of Orange Tinted Freckles, the Corals have Complimented me Well.  But Blondes & Brunettes look just as Beautiful in Orange as the Gingers

This Summer Try an Orange Shade on Your Nails, Cheeks & Kisses! 

Orange Found in my Beauty Shop 

Nail Lacquers - Butter & Essie

 Blush - Bare Minerals

Balms Stain - Revlon    Moxie Glosses - Here & Here

Who's There? - Orange Cosmetics

XOXO Sarah Louise