Dry and bitter…

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No, that is not my attitude!  Although I realize I have been gone for a minute, I am actually hydrated and sweet!  But the weather outside is frightful, dry, and you guessed it, bitter cold!  Some folks love the winter months and I normally do until we hit single digits, especially for more than one day!  We even got snow-in Georgia-in December.  That just doesn’t happen.

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I grew up in the south where December may still yield short sleeves and flip flops so when we got over a foot of snow before Christmas I was in shock!  And even worse than dealing with our power going out and the endless amount of wet clothes the kids kept throwing off is the extreme dry skin!

I normally have oily skin so if my skin gets dry, you know the air is bone dry.  Weird how cold wetness can make the air feel so dry!  But as you burn fires and run the furnace indoors, that sucks the moisture right out of the air!  So how to you combat it?  I mean, we can’t have dry skin because dry skin leads to premature wrinkles and who needs that?

A non-drying cleanser with no soap and no alcohol is a great start.  This is my favorite here.  Then, this is a great time for a gentle but regular exfoliating to keep any dry flaky skin at bay.  I love this daily scrub and it is very gentle but definitely creates a soft smooth face!  Plus, a good exfoliation only aides in the use of treatments and moisturizers.  These items can get soaked up by dry or dead skin before making it to your face so exfoliation is double important!

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After a soft cleanse, I have switched up my routine to the Power Serum to help not only even tone and minimize pores but to give my treatments and moisturizer a boost!  I am loving the Advanced Wrinkle Corrector right now because while most products don’t do double-duty, this does!  It acts as a clinical treatment AND a moisturizer all in one jar!  And to be so awesome, it’s not harsh and doesn’t have a terrible medicine smell!

Of course the whole routine is complete with the Eye Lift Pro to keep my lids lifted and those crows feet at bay!  I hope you are staying warm and enjoying the weather like I am, from inside by the fireplace with some hot coffee early and chilled wine later!  Maybe if I change it to a margarita I can pretend I’m at the warm beach??

If you loved this, jump over to my closed VIP Customer page on Facebook here!  If you love the products and want to save money on them or start your business with me click here to get started for only $25 or reach out to me!

Smooth like a baby’s bottom!

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My skin is sensitive, combination, and generally just aggravated with me.  I love to try different foundations all the time, spend time outside, rub my face when I am thinking really hard, and my diet is, well, very poor!  Because of this abuse to my face, I do try to care for it by using gentle soap-free cleansers, this one is my favorite.  I also have carefully selected a skincare regimen to keep my skin moisturized while also attacking some of the signs of aging that I brought on with years of tanning and smoking, both of which I no longer do!  I love my AHA cream every few days, my Line Eraser, and my Ultimate.  I also love to exfoliate using my gentle Refining Daily Scrub 2-3 times per week.  It’s perfect for all skin types and the little beads are rounded so they don’t irritate the sensitive skin on the face.  But I was saddened this morning to find I had run out of the RDS even though I thought I surely could squeeze a few more uses out!  You only need a pea size for your face, so I assumed I could push some down but apparently I had used it all.  I had that tube over a month, but still, sadness….

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While I have come to love my RDS because of the gentleness, I was pleased to find I had a tube of the Clearskin Pore Penetrating Invigorating Scrub in the shower!  I had totally forgotten about this little gem when I started using the Anew Clean items.  But the invigorating scrub is just that…INVIGORATING!  It definitely feels more scrubby or almost sand-like than the clean line, but it also leaves this cool sensation on your skin when you rinse it off!  So I put a pea size of this in my hand and gently rubbed it on my clean face.  Amazing!  Super soft feel and that burst of cool after the scrubbies is the perfect combination to refresh you, especially in the morning!

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Now, exfoliating is serious business and you can actually harm your face by doing it too often.  Also, you want to rub longer, not harder, if you feel you are in need of a good sloughing.  Rubbing too hard will only irritate your skin and leave it blotchy and tender.  While exfoliation is good to get dead skin off and leave your skin smooth, you need to follow it with a great moisturizer as it can be drying.  Drying leads to lines.  Lines make you sad!

If you need help choosing a regimen try my online skincare tool here or reach out to me directly!  I love consults!

If you love skincare, makeup, jewelry, or fashion, learn how you can start your own journey with me today by clicking here!

 

Precisely

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I am a lover of makeup.  However, a lover of makeup and an expert of makeup are two TOTALLY different things.  I have used and loved our Glimmersticks for so long that I am pretty confident in my look with them.  However, I have a large customer base that keeps ordering these Superextend Precise Liquid Liner Pens.  What is the fuss, I wondered? For a long time it was only available in black like many other liquids, but a customer had mentioned several times she would just love if they came in color.  While I was browsing my rep-only brochure for items coming soon, I jumped off the sofa when I turned the page and I see FOUR new colors for this pen!  I immediately contacted the customer that had wanted these and she got three of the four new colors.  She was so excited and I was happy for that!  When she received them, she kindly shared on my VIP Facebook page how much she loved them and how she was happy the new colors were being offered!  Several other VIP’s of course now want the full spectrum of colors in this item.

While I am excited my peeps are getting things they want, I was intrigued but scared to try them.  I have tried liquid liners in the past and looked more like Alice Cooper than Audrey Hepburn.  I had long made up my mind that look just wasn’t for me.  Hence the love of my ever-so-soft and long-lasting Glimmersticks!  But, in the name of research and stepping out of my comfort zone, I placed an order for one of the Precise Liquid Pens in black (this is hard enough without adding colors into the mix).

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So, then pen arrived.  I decided to try this on a Sunday when i had a little extra makeup time.  It’s definitely in a thicker pen than my beloved Glimmersticks.

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I opened it to find what appears to be a felt tip with a sharp end (not like cut your eye sharp, just very pointy).  So, ok, this is not what I expected as past liquid liners appeared much more liquidy and wet, this almost was like a marker and I use those all the time, just not on my face!  I got this, right??

Well, I was not right at all…But thankfully I have plenty of cotton balls and the best eye makeup remover ever!  Two cotton balls, three failed attempts.  I definitely put the remover to the test today and it did great!  Silver lining…but I am no quitter.

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After a few frustrating moments, some eye makeup remover, and a few deep breaths, I finally got a look I could at least leave the house with.  Is it what I envisioned?  No.  I need some serious wing-work.  But, to get these look after only three attempts, I was satisfied.  I will continue to practice this and play with the looks and the wings.  I will say, the hubby told me I looked sexy today, so I may start wearing this every day (ok let’s be real, maybe twice a week because I will never fully replace Glimmersticks).  If you want to check out the Precise Liquid Pens in the various colors for only $5.99 each, click here!

Do you love makeup and need a little extra for the holidays???  Click here to find out more about starting your own business with me for as little as $25!

Free lipsticks!

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I am definitely a lover of eye makeup, but dabble with lip color because it really does change your attitude for the better.  Because tomorrow, 7/29/17, is National Lipstick Day, we have a sweepstakes for a full set of our 40 Avon True Color Lipsticks!  It’s free, so why not?  Imagine all the possibilities!  Click here to enter!  When you’re done with that, go checkout all we have to offer for lips here!

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Color by numbers

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I am not a “color” expert.  I cannot highlight, strobe, or otherwise enhance my cheekbones.  I can barely manage a small wing on my eyeliner.  But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to try.  And it certainly doesn’t mean I want to look like a hot mess until I master these things.  I was at a show last weekend and I did the ole look-behind-me cliche when a lady said my makeup looked beautiful.  I literally thought someone must be standing behind me because she couldn’t be talking to me.  She laughed and said, “you, honey, I am talking to you.  Your eyes are just perfect.”  I could feel blood rushing to my face and I had a total awkward moment because I have a hard time accepting compliments.

I went on to finally say thank you, and its the work of my quad.  She then looked at me crazy so I had to explain the sorcery known to many as True Color Quad.

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The beauty of the Quad is it is like painting by numbers for kids!  Anyone can pretend to understand how to match shades and apply eye shadow with these magical little squares of color!

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You simply turn the quad over and follow the instructions!!!  OMG!!  How simple?  This is glorious, just glorious.  I recently did branch out a smidge and started using actual brushes for my application instead of the wand that comes with the quad.  But, I only use the crease brush and eye shadow brush.  That took some getting used to, but I definitely can tell the difference of the brushes versus the wand.  I still use the wand for the brow bone, baby steps…

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So, with some simple instructions and just a few minutes I have a decent look that appears like I at least put in an effort!  Be sure to check out all the different shades we have here!  At $5.99 you can get all of your favs and not feel guilty!

Sunny days

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Well, we had a pretty wet and cloudy start to the summer!  But, even though we have had a good bit of rain showers and thunderstorms we have had a decent amount of sunny days!  I know I send the kids outside anytime I see a break in the clouds because it’s hard to say how long it will last!  I try to get some vitamin D as well and like most moms I am all about the Bug Guard and SPF!  I also use a day cream with SPF and during the summer months I switch to a day lotion with SPF 50, the Skinvincible, for my face to stay moisturized, keep my foundation looking good, and keep the bad rays away!

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I also must use shades outside because my eyes are super sensitive to light, the curse of the light blue eyes!  But even with my sunglasses, I tend to squint when I am outside.  I also have been laughing a lot this summer!  It’s been so much fun with the kids and friends and my biz that I have been gut-laughing a lot!  But with all this sun-squinting and laughter, I have to be mindful of that delicate skin around my eyes and the dreaded crows feet!

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But Anew to the rescue!  One of the staples in my regimen is the Clinical Eye Lift Pro Dual Eye System!  This is part of our clinical line but specially formulated for the skin around your eyes.  But better than just an eye cream, this one packs a one-two punch!

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There is a cream for under the eye, around the top of the cheek bone, and next to the eye area to keep the lines at bay and fight any existing ones.  But there is also a super special gel that you apply to the top of the lid and brow bone.  This gel keeps that area lifted and tight giving super definition to the upper eye and brow!  I also learned a trick from a very successful and ageless rep that if you keep this product in the fridge, it is very refreshing after a long, hot day! It will have all the normal benefits, but also has a fabulous cooling effect on those tired eyes when it’s cold!  So do yourself a favor and check into adding this little gem to your skincare routine to tackle those stubborn areas around the eye instead of trying not to smile or go outside!  Click here to grab it or click here to take the skincare quiz to find the best products for you!  Happy summer!

I don’t know anyone…

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I always hear from people I discuss my business with that it is so great for me but they don’t have time, which I hit on before, but also that they don’t anyone who would buy from them.  I felt the same way when I started, but I also was prepared to find new people who needed awesome products so I didn’t let it stop me.

But what I quickly realized is the people I knew already did, in fact, want to buy from me!  Most were crazy excited when I mentioned my new venture and jumped all over it!  So, I was pleasantly surprised to have a built-in customer base!  I was so afraid they would think I was being salesy or pushy that I didn’t immediately mention it to those I saw regularly but thanks to my sister, everyone found out!  So while I intended to find strangers to sell to, my friends and coworkers ended up buying a good bit so I was doing much better than expected because I completely didn’t count on those extra sales!

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Everyone has friends that want to help them.  Case in point-a good friend of mine that has bought from me since my very first order, as well as brought me tons of referrals over the years, always told me she just liked helping me out when I would mention starting her own business.  And I certainly enjoyed those orders and all her help!  But recently, she made a comment that opened a door to discuss the opportunity again.  Long story short, she joined the next day!  I was so excited for her and knew she would do so great, but she was concerned she wouldn’t hit her first incentive goal because there was only one week until her order day.  I told her she will at least double what she brought to me normally and she looked at me like I was crazy, which is totally fair!  But I explained that the folks she brings me orders for don’t personally know me, they just like the product and know she can get to me.  But the moment she goes to the same group of people and announces she is now the rep, her friends and family will be so excited for her and want to help her that they will end up placing more orders than normal.  She still thought I was crazy but said she would let her friends know.  The week passed and she didn’t double the normal orders she brought to me…SHE TRIPLED THEM!!  The sheer joy on her face and the pride she had in herself was amazing to witness.  Moments like that make me proud to do what I do.  So, moral of the story, everyone knows someone and if you have friends, you will have customers!  When the fee is $25, what exactly do you have to lose??  Go start now here!

beautyboss

No Time for That

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I think it’s fair to say we are all guilty of spewing the ole, “I don’t have time for that,” line, especially when being asked to do something we don’t want to do.  But from time to time, I have to evaluate what I am doing that leaves me with such little time.  For instance,  I told hubby I didn’t have time to put the laundry away, I was just swamped.  However, as I replay the day in my head I recall scrolling FB for quite some time after making my necessary calls and texts in the morning….

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I hear people constantly saying they need extra money, but when I approach them with my fabulous opportunity the most used rejection is, “I don’t have time for that.”  Those same people continue to complain about their financial situation while also posting on FB how they binge watched three seasons of their new favorite show in two days and send me requests for extra lives on games I didn’t even know existed.  I get it, those games are addictive and that is exactly why I don’t play them!  I have folks say they don’t have time for a skincare regimen.  Well, it takes all of a minute to wipe your makeup off with our wipes and another minute to throw on some moisturizer but hey, if you want to deal with the deep wrinkles later because you didn’t want to head to bed a few minutes early, that’s ok, we have a cream for that, too!

I began my business while I was working a FT job and my kids were one and five.  Yes, I had to fit it into an already hectic schedule, but at the time we needed a little extra for bills so I made it work.  Over time, the business turned into something so much more for me.  It became an opportunity to not only be home with my children, but continue to contribute to my household financially.  Eventually, with some planning, scheduling, and lots of great people along the way I left that job.  Now, do not mistake the term “work from home” as “chilling at the crib”.  I still have to work, I just get to do it when I want.  And when I say work I mean talk on the phone with friends while collecting their orders or chatting with a new team member about how they can earn some extra or make a plan to be home with their children.  So, next time you are about to complain about your situation, stop and think about how many hours you spend on TV, FB, or the worst…Pintrest…If you have 5-10 hours a week, you have time to build a business.  And for $25, what do you really have to lose?  Curious, click here and complete the form!

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Business+Family=Happiness

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So the first week of the kids on summer break has come to a close.  Shockingly, I am still alive!  In fact, it went better than expected!  I set a few chores, or tasks if you will, to have them work on daily to earn their screen time and to keep them entertained while momma got business done.  For the last nine months, I worked on a schedule which consisted of them being at school for six hours every weekday and then would pick up team trainings and calls after the hubby came home from work.  So, I admittedly was concerned that them being here all day everyday was going to slow down progress on the business.  That was quite opposite of how the week went!

Our first day, they both popped from bed and did their first set of tasks then came to the kitchen for breakfast.  They then both picked up their rooms, helping each other at that, read, colored, drew, went outside, and helped momma prepare dinner.  They did this again the second day.  All the while, momma scheduled deliveries, helped a few online customers, completed some YouTube videos (subscribe to my channel here so you don’t miss anything), and helped some new team members get their new orders entered.  The kids did catch a break when I made deliveries by heading to a friends house and to see their Nanny, my momma.  I even squeezed in a celebration dinner with our team on the south side of town, but the long day and drive were so worth it!  We wrapped up our week by enjoying some bowling with friends and a few more customer visits.  All just in time to grab some carry out pizza and enjoy my favorite show.  So, I survived the first week of summer break and I believe the kids had a great time.  I can’t wait to do it all over again next week!

If you need a change, I’d love to help.  Be sure to visit the Contact Me tab and send me your info so we can chat!  Or, if you know what you want to do, click here to get started now!

DDD

The skinny, well sticky, on blackheads…

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If you are on social media you surely have seen several new wild tools or masks to pull out those pesky blackheads and clear pores.  If you wear makeup, you know the struggle.  Those icky little holes just full of yucky dirt, oil, makeup and typical grossness are a thorn in our sides, or actually our noses!  So it’s completely natural to be drawn to the magical devices and products promising to pull them right out!  It’s like a train wreck, you don’t want to see it, but you can’t look away!  You need to know if your eyes deceive you and you want to get the skinny on the situation.  And like so many of us, you may be quick to pull out that credit card and grab yourself the newest trend in hopes it works like they say.  While some products are fabulous and worth the money, not all are.  And unfortunately in this day and age, it’s easy to buy counterfeit products that may end up doing more harm than good.  Some even won’t have any ingredients listed upon arrival.  Little word of advice, if you don’t know what’s in it, maybe don’t put it somewhere like your most exposed area of skin and that which makes you familiar to others.  There is also the horror stories of paying for something on a site that shows up on your FB news feed only later to realize your card was overcharged and you never get anything!

I tend to lean more toward wrinkle eradication for my skincare needs.  But since we have a product that claims to pull out blackheads, I felt like I needed to take it for a test drive and see if it was worth recommending since you can get it from a reputable company and even connect with a real representative about it before making a purchase.  The Clearskin Professional Liquid Extraction Strip arrived in my last order for this research.

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I knew from the reading I did this was not a black mask for the full face, but a sticky looking substance you rub mostly on the T zone and chin.  The consistency was much like glue and definitely sticky.

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The instructions indicated to rub some down either side of your nose onto your cheek to create a tab to pull when it was completely dry.  I will say an even application of the sticky goo is important for the drying!  I rubbed it on and then got on FB to pass the time, a little over 20 minutes as I got trapped in the FB rabbit hole!  I also got interrogated by a five year old and a ten year old as to what in the world was shining on my face.  I tried to explain, but the dead stares of the little berries lead me to believe they either didn’t get it, or didn’t really care.

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When I realized the 20 minutes was up, I headed back to the bathroom and lifted the tab on one side of my nose and slowly pulled the strip off.  It wasn’t painful, but obviously was clinging to the skin.  I didn’t have any tears or flinching, but I wouldn’t recommended ripping it off like a band-aide.  When I looked I closely at the strip I was excited, and a little grossed out, to see little sticky-icky blackheads standing up at me!  Eureka!  IT WORKED!

So, for the $9, minus my discount, plus about 25 minutes of my life, I cleaned out the icky little holes just full of yucky dirt, oil, makeup and typical grossness!  When you’re a grown woman, it’s the little things that excite you!  Now, I don’t have much of an acne issue and love the Anew line, but if you want to check this product out or any of the Clearskin line if acne or extreme oil is a personal woe, click here to browse!  Don’t forget, online shoppers can use the one-time code WELCOME10 for a 10% discount!  For an even better discount, click here to pay the one-time membership fee of only $25 and enjoy even more savings!