How to get pearly whites!

 Having white teeth is defiantly something I've always obsessed about, I started whiting my teeth sometime in late Jr. High-early High School.

I used the first version of Crest white-strips. I wasn't a huge fan of those, but they did the job. I started using them again about a week ago and I've very pleased with the improvements!! The old version would always slip around on my teeth, and I would taste that gross stuff.

With this updated version it sticks to your teeth so its not sliding all over the place, which I feel much more comfortable with! I know that my teeth aren't going to be bleached unevenly this way! The only complaint I have with these (besides price ;)) is these seem to hurt my teeth more. I don't know if that's just because I have sensitive teeth (I do..) or if that's a common complaint with everyone. BUT besides that, I'm extremely pleased with how they've been whitening my teeth! I even saw results after the first use, and I still have two weeks to go with this system!!

 I started using the toothpaste and mouthwash from the Crest 3D collection about a year ago, and I was so excited to be seeing improvements after just a couple brushes!! I've been using them since, and I wont use anything else! I'm totally a fan of the crest 3D whitening system!

   I bought another whitening system a little over a year ago and only used it once, but I think once I run out of the white-strips I'll give it another shot. It worked well, but I didn't like that it took a whole hour to do. With the white-strips I can run around and do whatever I want and they'll work just fine. (I'm using them now!!) but within that first hour of use I defiantly went up at least one shade. So if you're patient that is a good whitening system!!

One other thing that I just started using is the OraBrush, It's a little tongue cleaning brush that does a much better job than a toothbrush or anything. It helps eliminate bad breath since 80% of bad breath is from your tongue. I must say, I'm a fan!!

Thanks for listening to me ramble! Let me know what you think or would like me to talk about next!

-Laura Lye:)

The Beauty Benifits of Vitamin E

Lips

When you apply Vitamin E on your lips it acts as a natural lip plumper. It stimulates the growth of new cells and replaces old cells with healthy new ones. It increases the elasticity and firmness of the skin, and that makes the lips look plumper. I bought myself a Vitamin E moisturizing stick last spring and I won't use anything else! Its so moisturizing and I love how it makes my lips look! It makes them look much more plump, and even like I have a gloss on! (without the icky gloss feeling!) Its def my new favorite!! 

Wrinkles and Brown Spots

  While I'm a little on the young side to have problems with brown spots and wrinkles, this is a good way to prevent and to lessen the look of them. The Vitamin E boosts the production of collagen, which supports new skin cells and helps cells regenerate more quickly. 

Sun Protection

The Vitamin E lotions protect the epidermis layer of the skin from early stages of ultra violet light damage. Applying the lotion before you put on your regular sunscreen can also improve the effectiveness of it as well. Just be sure you give yourself about 20min for the vitamin e to get absorbed deep into your skin for maximum protection! It also helps prevent skin cancer not only because it acts as a sunscreen but because it has such powerful antioxidant properties.

Scars

I bought a Vitamin E cream that I put on my stretch marks and some facial scars that I have, and I've been amazed at the results!! I am watching this scars fade! I've been applying it after I shower for the past few weeks to a month, and I can't tell you how amazed I am with it! (the reason I'm writing this post!) The cream or oil goes under the scar tissue and promotes the production of collagen; which increases elasticity in the skin. 

Nails

You can buy vitamin oil cuticle oil which deeply moisturizes and help your nails flexibility to help prevent breakage. It conditions the the cuticles to prevent ridges from growing in the nails. It helps prevent the skin around your nails from peeling.

Hair 

If you look at your shampoo or conditioner I'm sure you'll see that Vitamin E mentioned on that bottle somewhere!  I know with my shampoo/conditioner (TRESemme') says it right on the front. Vitamin E is awesome for your hair and scalp! It provides great moisture that helps stop breakage and relieve dandruff.

Where to get it!

You can get Vitamin E in many different forms! Vitamin supplements*, creams, oils, and of course the most natural way, food. Some foods that are rich in Vitamin E are; vegetable oils, nuts, green leafy vegetables, fortified cereals, wheat germ, sweet potatoes, avocados, spinach, and broccoli, eggs, canned tuna, and salmon. 

*Warning

Mixing this vitamin with other medications, or taking to much can be deadly. So please, be safe! Ask your doctor!  

Thanks for reading! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to write them below! Let me know what you'd like to hear about next! 

-Laura Lye <3 

Beauty Subscriptions!

  If you're like me, you loove to try out new beauty products. I love it all! From hair, to makeup, to nails. But what I hate the most is buying a bad product! I hate feeling like I've just wasted $10 on a foundation I'm never going to use again! But, I still go out and end up wasting money on products I end up hating in the end. 
            But I have found a solution!! There are subscription services that send you beauty product samples to let you try things out! how exciting!! No more wasting my money on products I'm going to hate! I've done a little research, and I've found a few different subscription services that I think sound awesome! I'm definitely going to be subscribing to at least one!! (I will be posting my own personal reviews of how I liked the services, and products after I start! So stay tuned for that!)

 Birch Box

With birchbox you get a monthly shipment of a variety (usually 4-5) of sample-sized high-end beauty products. They have yearly ($110.00 that's one month free!) and monthly ($10.00 a month) subscription plans. When you sign up you fill out a beauty profile to get products picked specifically for you! How cool is that?! And if you like what you try you can go onto their online store and buy the full sized product! When you buy from their online store you rack up 'Birchbox Points' that can be used to buy more full sized products!

Test Tube

Testtube is similar to birchbox. But you get a shipment every three months (four times a year), instead of every month. When they ship out that charge your credit card for 29.95 + 8.95 for shipping. The products look to be sample-sized to normal-sized. (15 products + magazine and gift card) You also get a New Beauty Magazine, and a $20 gift card to spalook.com which is like $20 back in your pocket so the approximately $38 your spending every three months goes down to $18..that's how I like to look at it anyway..;)

 Beauty Fix

You pay $49.99 four times a year, and you get a package once every season, with up to $400 worth of products inside! The unique thing about this subscription is you get to pick exactly what you get in each shipment! From nails, to hair, skin, and makeup! You get everything in a good-sized complimentary makeup bag. One bad thing I've heard is that it can be difficult to cancel your subscription. You have to call in to cancel instead of being able to cancel online.

Eco-Emi

Eco-emi is an organic monthly subscription. For $15 dollars a month you get 5-10 products, you'll get a variety of hair, makeup, food and more. The unique thing about this subscription is all of their products are either Eco-friendly, green, or fair-trade. The product sizes vary from sample sizes to full sized products.




Something in common with all of these subscriptions that I forgot to mention is that you do fill out a beauty profile. So they don't send the wrong foundation color or something for curly hair when you have straight. Things like that. :)

If you have any question or comments feel free to leave them below or send me an email! If you have anything else you'd like me to talk about please, let me know!

-Laura Lye :)