What To Pack in Your Makeup Bag

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At one time or another every girl has needed a quick makeup fix. Admit it, you've gone half way through the day and were suddenly mortified by the slight case of raccoon eyes you had no idea existed, right? And It's always in those moments of desperation, that we never seem to be prepared. Well suffer no longer ladies, because I've compiled a list of must have items in your on-the-go makeup bag. 

Essentials

1. Eye Lash Curler

2. Mascara

3. Eye Liner (and sharpener if necessary)

4. Lip balm/Lipstick

5. Face Powder

6. Concealer

7. Tweezers

8. 1 face brush and 1 spare eye shadow brush

9. Makeup remover wipes

10. Floss

Sure toting around every item on the list seems like a bit much- but when it comes to sparing you an embarrassing moment, you'll be thankful you had every item on hand.

You're Welcome, Gorgeous!

10 Interesting Health & Fitness Facts

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Like the saying goes, “If you don’t use it, you lose it.” Luckily for you teens, you still have plenty of years ahead. But why wait until you’re older to worry about your health? Take advantage of your youth while you’ve still got it. Below are 10 interesting facts about health and fitness.

1. Heart Disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women in the United States. According to WebMD.com, "Regular activity strengthens your heart muscle; lowers blood pressure; increases "good" cholesterol and lowers "bad" cholesterol. Regular activity also enhances blood flow; and helps your heart function more efficiently. All of these benefits can reduce the risk of not only heart disease, but also of strokes and high blood pressure."

2. Fitness consists of four components: Your body's ability to use oxygen as a source of energy, which translates into cardiovascular fitness; muscular strength and endurance; flexibility; and body composition (Discovery Health).

3. Reported on MedicineNet.com, only 19 percent of all high school students are physically active for 20 minutes or more, five days a week, in physical education classes.

4. According to About.com, "Adolescents need 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a day to stay healthy." Benefits of those 60 minutes include:
• Reduced anxiety, stress, and depression
• Improved self-esteem
• Boosts academic performance
• Helps establish lifelong healthy habits

5. Did you know that eating colored foods have surprising health benefits? It’s true. Aside from being high in vitamin A, leafy greens (lettuce, spinach, etc.) are also a good source of calcium. If you don’t eat dairy, be sure to load up on deeply colored greens to get enough of the essential mineral (Diabetes Forecast Magazine).

6. Certified trainer David Atkinson has stated that, “Not only does exercise improve your body, it helps your mental function.” Having trouble with homework? Take a short break, try running in place or jumping rope for a few minutes, then try your homework again. Did it do the trick?

7. Daily consumption of water (at least 8 glasses) helps you lose weight by reducing your appetite, increasing your metabolism and washing down fat breakdown byproducts (Livestrong.com).

8. Reported by Overweightteen.com, "The percentage of children and adolescents who are defined as overweight has more than doubled since the early 1970s."

9. Having a support system can greatly enhance your fitness levels. Whether it’s a friend you exercise with daily or someone you check in with weekly regarding your physical activity, having support holds you accountable and makes you more inclined to work consistently and/or harder.

10. Lastly, physical activity along with good eating habits increases your chances of living a longer life. If for no other reason than this, health and fitness should be a vital component of your every day life.

Did you learn something new? Hopefully you did, and hopefully it was this: it is our own responsibility to take care of our health. Don’t wait before it’s too late!

7 Tips To Get Back into School Mode

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Attention Students: It’s almost time to immerse yourselves in the new school year. The familiar sounds of warning bells, lockers shutting, and students chattering in the halls will become your routine within the next couple of weeks. While I’m sure there are plenty of students dreading the return of homework, your return to campus doesn’t have to be as miserable. Just follow these 7 tips for getting back into school mode.

1. Get at least 8 hours of sleep every night the week leading up to the first day of school.

2. Start your days with a routine that you would normally have if it were a school day.

3. If you don’t usually eat breakfast, try eating something small in the mornings. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day after all! It makes for good brain food and also energizes you for the day ahead.

4. Attempt to wind down from your summer. Maybe you have a friend you’ve been hanging out with every day or a group of friends has been going to the beach every week. By slowly cutting back on the daily and/or weekly socializing, it’s more likely that you’ll be able to ease back into the school year, without feeling like your whole summer ended abruptly.

5. If you’ve already registered for school- get a group of your friends together to discuss each other’s class schedules, goals for the year, etc. Talking about school is a good way to prepare you for the actual thing.

6. Go school supply shopping. Nothing says preparation like stocking up on notebook paper and pencils.

7. And one of the most fun ways to prepare yourself is to plan a final trip/event of the summer with your family or friends. Whatever you plan can be the big send off for the coming school year.

Hopefully by now your summer has been awesome, and with enough planning and preparation, your school year will be even better. Good luck!

D.I.Y. Makeup Brush Cleanser

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Ladies! Spend your money no more…at least not on brush cleanser. Below I’ll give you instructions on how to make your own. Trust me, you’ll never have to shop for this again.

What You’ll Need:

• Empty spray bottle

• Measuring cups and spoons

• 1 cup of water

• ¼ cup rubbing alcohol

• ½ tbsp. dish soap

• ½ tbsp. baby wash or shampoo

• 1 tbsp. hair de-tangler or leave-in conditioner spray

What To Do:

• Pour all ingredients into a regular or measuring cup with a spout

• Stir together

• Pour into spray bottle

For Best Results:

Spray cleanser on to a washcloth or rag rather than the actual brush, and in a sweeping motion wipe clean. I’ve also found that moving the brush in a circular motion works just as well. Once the brushes are clean, lay flat to dry.

This cleanser can be used for spot cleaning, which is a fairly quick cleansing method that should be done on brushes every 2 weeks. For a deeper clean- wash brushes under warm water with a mild soap like baby wash, pat off excess water with a washcloth, and lay flat to dry.

Spot cleaning takes about 1-2 hours for brushes to dry. The deeper cleaning could take anywhere from 4-6 hours to dry. If you clean them before bed, they’ll be ready to use in the morning.

The Benefits:

As some of you know, brush cleansers can get to be quite expensive. Homemade cleanser is just the opposite- it saves you money, as I was able to purchase all of the supplies at a bargain store (think The Dollar Tree). Cleaning your brushes often is a great habit to form, because over time bacteria can build up; bacteria that could potentially be very harmful. This do-it-yourself project not only keeps your brushes clean, leaves them soft and smelling fresh- but it also extends the life of them.

Just like any of your possessions, the more you take care of them, the longer they’ll last. Did it work for you?

Dressing For an Interview

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With school out for break, summer presents the perfect time to pick up a job. But before you start groaning, let me give you a few reasons why you might consider working this summer. a) Working keeps you busy b) The money you make will be YOURS and c) Your parents will be happy not having you ask for EVERY thing you want. Now I know what you might be thinking, “Interviews are scary!” “What if they don’t like me?” “What should I wear?”  And to that, all I can say is…relax. Take a deep breath. You’ll get through this.

Confidence is extremely important when going on an interview. If you have confidence, the person interviewing you will be able to see that, and your chances for getting that job are likely to increase. The key to being confident is in part, looking confident. So how do you do that? How do you dress for an interview? It’s simple. Follow along…

TOPS

Stay away from casual. No t-shirts, tank tops or the like. Try a nice fitting blouse with sleeves (short sleeves at minimum).  You might also try layering a cardigan or blazer over a sleeveless blouse.

This: 

Not this:

BOTTOMS

This one is open for debate. Slacks or skirts with an appropriate length (knee) are always okay in my book- I tend to side with slacks however. Black is always a safe bet, as it goes with just about anything. 

This:

Not this: 

SHOES

Although the job you’re interviewing for might be set in a casual environment, I say to be on the safe side wear a semi-formal closed toe shoe. This means no sneakers or flip-flops. It also means no strappy stilettos. A wedge or heel, of appropriate height will do. We’re trying to get a job ladies, not a date!

This: 

Not this:

ACCESSORIES

Less is more. Of course pair your outfit with key pieces like earrings, a watch, maybe even a necklace or bracelet. Just don’t over do it. The goal is to look professional and stylish at the same time- not like you just stepped out of Forever 21’s accessories department. *If there’s one accessory you MUST wear at an interview, it’s a watch. It shows that you’re cognoscente of time; a quality any employer will appreciate.

This: 

Not this: 

Think you’re ready? Go get ‘em!

Preparing For College Your Freshmen Year

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Now is the time for upcoming freshmen, attending college away from home, to start preparing. Most schools begin their academic years from late August into September, which means… you’ve got a month and a half at minimum to ready yourselves. 

Going to college, living away from home, and essentially closing the chapter on the life you’ve known for the past 18 years is a BIG adjustment for anyone. While it may seem scary to venture into the unknown, let me assure you from my own experience, that embarking on this journey will be nothing short of rewarding.

While I cannot coach another person through their own transition (albeit mounted with anticipation), I can however, offer a few pointers on how to make that transition a little easier.

If you’re a freshmen planning to room at the dorms, a list of suggested items should be included in your school’s housing information packet. For things you still might be unsure of, I’ve created a list below.

Things to bring:

• Bed linens: Preferably twin size, although the actual size should be given beforehand.

• Desk or bed lamp: These come in handy for late night study sessions- while at the same time, a precautionary measure to not keeping your roommate awake.

• Electronics: A laptop, iPad, or anything else that allows fast and easy access for studying, writing, and research purposes. *Having a printer would be useful as well. 

• Key or combination lock: Most dormitories provide a nightstand/drawer that you can lock belongings/valuables away in. *Make sure to keep the key safe with you at all times or by not sharing the combination with others.

• Shower caddy: Since you’ll be sharing a bathroom with at least another person, if not multiple people- you’ll need something to tote your bath essentials in. On that same token- shower shoes are also a good investment.

• Alarm clock: For no other reason than to get you out of bed and to class on time.

• Landline telephone: Some dorms provide telephones in each room, while some only come with phone jacks- in which case you’d have to provide a phone yourself (which is optional). If you do find it necessary to have a phone, bringing a cordless one would be ideal. Think, privacy.

• Personal items: Aside from your necessities, things from/that remind you of home are also nice to bring. (Ex: pictures, photo albums, your favorite blanket, etc.) Having those reminders can help to ease a homesick heart.

Remember that college is a whole new chapter that awaits you. Embrace it. Enjoy it. Love it. And most of all, Good Luck!

First Date Do's & Don'ts

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First dates are always nerve racking!!! Whether or not you know the person you’re seeing, it doesn’t make a difference. Initial meetings have the ability to make anyone feel a bit anxious when it comes to matters such as dating and relationships. The 3 things we secretly hope for on a first date are:  to be liked, to not embarrass ourselves, and lastly- to get the coveted second date. By following these Do’s & Don’ts on a first date, you can bet that you’ll be seeing them again!

DO'S

1. Be yourself.

2. Be on time. 

3. If you’re going on a blind date, meaning you haven’t met the person yet, agree to meet them someplace public. Do not give them your address…just yet. Safety first!

4. Be courteous and polite.

5. Hold back from giving your honest opinion on everything. You never know how your date will react to your candidness.

6. Offer to pay for your portion of the date. Do not expect that your date will pay unless they’ve specifically said they would…always 

be prepared to offer.

7. In case you have to contact someone during the date, make sure your cell phone is with you and charged. Carry change for a payphone if need be.

8. Have an exit plan if the date is making you feel uncomfortable or unsafe. For example, “I need to get home” or “I have an early day tomorrow”. In short, a polite way to excuse yourself.

9. Carry gum or mints with you. There’s nothing worse than bad breath on a date, especially your first.

10. If you enjoyed yourself and hope to see the person again, let them know your interest in a second date. You could try saying, “I had a great time”, or “I hope we do this again”.

DON'TS

1. Never be late- unless you have a legitimate reason to be. Inform your date if you know you will be running behind schedule.

2. Do not be impolite to your date or anyone you come across while out. Keep in mind that you don’t have a second chance to 

make a first impression.

3. Honesty is an admirable quality, but being blatantly honest could backfire on you- as well as ensure that there’ll never be a second date.

4. Don’t forget your wallet; never assume that your date will foot the bill. Today, the common and polite gesture is known as, “going Dutch”. Which means both persons pay for themselves.

5. Don’t forget your cell phone. If the two of you are meeting someplace, you have to be able to reach each other.

6. If you’re of legal age to drink- do NOT get drunk. Having a drink at dinner is acceptable, but getting drunk to the point where you cannot drive is shameful.

7. Don’t kiss on the first date (at least not on the lips). I like to think I’m traditional, so a hug or even a kiss on the cheek is appropriate.

8. If you didn’t have as great of a time as you hoped, and you don’t foresee a second date- don’t say, “I’ll call you”- if you have no intention of doing so. A simple “thank you for tonight” will suffice.

Hopefully you made it out of the date unscathed and have already made plans to see them again. If you followed the suggestions, then all the better. Congrats!