9 Secrets To Fight Acne!

There's one problem that everyone (unfortunately) experiences at one time or another- Acne. There really is no definite cause for acne, however there are factors that can contribute to it. These include touching your face, wearing a lot of make-up, sweating a lot, and basically anything involving dirt or substances that can clog up your pores. Unfortunately, there is no cure for acne. If you do have really bad acne, you can go to a dermatologist and they can suggest or prescribe medications or creams that help clear up your skin and unclog your pores. Otherwise, luckily I have a few tips & tricks to help prevent and treat acne!
1) Before washing your face, use warm water. If you wash your face by the sink, take a small cloth and wet it with warm water and gently pat your face with it for 2-3 minutes before washing your face. Otherwise, you can wash your face in the shower. Stand under the warm water for a few minutes and gently splash some of it onto your face and let the steam from the shower soak into your pores. Warmth opens up your pores, making it easier to remove the dirt from inside of them.
2) Avoid over-cleansing your face! It's healthy to wash your face, but not too much. If you wear make up, be sure to wash it off every night before you go to sleep, but don't over-scrub your skin. Try using just a little bit of water and a bar of soap- you don't necessarily need brand-name facial washes every night. If you don't wear a lot of make up, you should be fine with just washing your face 3-4 nights a week. It's good to apply warm water every night and gently dab (not rub) it off with a washcloth, but actual scrubbing with facial cleanser should be kept to a minimal unless you want your skin to dry out.
3) MOISTURIZE after washing your face. Exfoliating will dry out your skin! Try using a non-scented moisturizer with natural ingredients.
4)  Use men's facial wash- even if you're a girl. I know it sounds crazy, but it works! Men's facial wash is stronger because men naturally sweat more so it's designed to fight off bacteria in pores more efficiently, but it's also more sensitive because men shave their faces therefore it is made to not to irritate freshly-shaved skin. It also leaves your skin even softer than you thought possible!
5) Use honey and cinnamon to make your own facial wash/mask! This mixture is a miracle worker- it helps clear your face of any sort of blemish, including pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. Use about 3 times more honey as you do cinnamon, and mix it until it's nice and smooth without any clumps. If it still isn't as thin or smooth as you'd like it to be, you can add a little bit of water to thin it out!
6) Use toothpaste. Need to get rid of a pimple over-night? Try dabbing a small amount of toothpaste on the pimple and leave it on over night. This will dry out the pimple and reduce the swelling and redness and by the time you wash it off in the morning, it will barely even be noticeable!
7) Avoid shaving over a pimple! If you have a pimple in a spot which you'd normally shave (most likely if you're a guy and get a pimple on your face), do NOT shave over it! This will irritate and possibly pop it, and can even leave a scar!
8) Do NOT try to cover up your pimples/blemishes with make up! Applying make up over a pimple will just clog up your pores even more, and make the pimple even bigger. Just let it be and it will go away quicker.
9) My personal favorite method- Use ice! For quick and easy results, take an ice cube and hold it to your pimple for about 10 seconds, lift it off, then repeat a few times until it feels as though your skin is about to freeze off! Sounds crazy, I know, but it works! The ice dries out the pimple and reduces swelling and redness. By the time the ice cube has completely melted, your pimple will be much less noticeable!

8 Essential Hair Tips & Tricks!

Let's face it- We have a love-hate relationship with our hair. Whether your hair is straight, curly, wavy, frizzy, thin, thick, short, long, volumized, flat, dyed, or natural, these tricks are sure to help you avoid future bad hair days!

1) Use leave-in conditioner. You don't necessarily need to pay a fortune for a "name brand", most leave-in conditioners revolve around the same basic ingredients and will work just as well as one another! For instance, I have long, thick, curly hair in which always faces the major issue of uncontrollable frizz! However I recently gave this leave-in conditioner a try and was pleased to find out that it actually works great and only costs a few dollars! Leave-in conditioner and other hair masks leave your hair looking as shiny as ever, and feeling smooth and soft, whereas hairsprays, gel, or mousse can make your hair hard, damaged, or greasy. Most leave-in conditioners contain gentler or more natural ingredients and are overall healthier for you hair than those alternative products, just make sure not to over-use it! You only need to use about a pea-sized amount a day; A little goes a long way!

2) Wear a headband. If your problem is your hair getting in your face, or your bangs are out of control, just throwing on a headband can make a huge difference! 

3) Use hair clips or bobby pins! Or if you have a lot of hair (or super thick hair), jaw clips can be particularly useful for a good hold to keep it all back! 

4) One word- BRAIDS. If you're having a bad hair day (especially in terms of frizziness), braid your hair for a few hours and when you take out the braids, your hair will have flawless (non-frizzy) waves! 

5) Avoid over-ironing your hair or using too many products or too much or any! If you straighten or curl your hair, you probably realized day by day that it does damage it. Your hair probably looks drier and just not as healthy as it normally would. You may like your hair better straight/curly, and if you really want to continue straightening/curling it every day, try an alternative method. For instance, instead of burning your hair with a curling iron, braid your hair (as I suggested in #5). It may not turn out quite the same, but it still works and at least it doesn't damage your hair! For straightening your hair, try putting it in a bun. It won't be completely straight, but it will definitely make a difference. If you really have your heart set on straighter hair, before bed time, put it in a ponytail and then take your hair and wrap it around your head, and keep it held there with clips or bobby pins. When you wake up and let it loose, your hair should be much straighter!

6) So you're tired of the same boring hair-do and want to switch it up a bit... Been there, done that. If you're willing to spend the money, professional hairstylists can really help change up your look! If you have no idea exactly what type of style you want, no problem! Make an appointment with them and they can suggest styles- it's part of their job! If you really want an idea before you go, try surfing the internet for styles that match your hair type, or flip through some magazines. Print of rip out the picture you like best and you can bring it in and tell the hairstylist "This is what I want". If you don't have the money or don't want to spend it on a professional, do it yourself or have a friend help! It may be risky, especially if neither of you have ever styled hair before, but there are plenty of YouTube tutorials for different looks! You can try something simple like layers or bangs, or go all out and completely change it up! If not, you can always try wearing hair extensions!

7) Sick of the same old color and don't want to completely damage your hair by dying it? You can always try wearing colored extensions, or if you really want, a wig. If you do have your heart set on changing the color of your actual hair, try dip dying it! It's very much in style lately, and this way you won't have to risk damaging all your hair! If you decide you don't like it, you can just get a hair cut since it's only the tips. It will grow back! Also, before you dip dye, test a little piece out. Just dye a few strands of your hair (maybe from

the bottom layer so it won't be very noticeable), that way you will get a feel of what it would look like. Most people suggest bleaching the tips of your hair before you dip dye so the color will show up better. If you don't have light blonde hair and you don't bleach it, the color or tint will still probably show up, but it won't be as bright or noticeable. If you don't want to bleach your hair, go for a color that is a few shades brighter than the one you want! For instance, if you want to dip dye your hair a dark-ish blue color, buy a dye that is a few shades lighter than that- like a light blue almost. That way, when the dye comes in contact with your darker hair, it will look darker than the actual one you bought. Bonus tip: If you are willing to bleach your hair but don't have the peroxide for it, try using lemon juice! The acidic substance will turn your hair lighter just as peroxide would!  

8) If you simply have a bad hair day when you just can't seem to contain your luxurious locks, simply wear some sort of head wear! Whether it's a cap, a fedora, a buckle hat, a beret, or a beanie, when all else fails and you cannot find a quick fix for you hair, simply find a way to fashionably cover it up! And wearing head wear just isn't something you're into, you can never go wrong with a casual ponytail! 

10 Ways To Get Over A Bad Break-Up

Heartbreak. It's something no one wants to have to experience, but also something that at one point or another, everyone will. However, although heartbreak can feel as though a million swords are stabbing into your heart from the inside out, it won't last forever. And even though it may feel like it is at the time, it isn't the end of the world. There's no escaping the fact that it will take time to get over such a break-up, but I have some tips that will hopefully at least make it a little easier.

1) Find a creative outlet. Whether you have a passion for writing, dancing, singing, drawing, painting, or any other creative hobby, expressing your emotions through a creative outlet may not make those feelings go away, but it will help give you a sense of closure. 

2) Have a night out/in with friends. Surrounding yourself with people who make you happy is always sure to lift your spirit! Some people prefer to mope around alone which can be nice and peaceful, but not all the time. It's healthiest in a time of grief to spend some time by yourself, but you also want to have others to lean on. Take a night out with some friends. You don't need to go anywhere crazy, just to one of your regular hang out places. If you just don't feel up to leaving the house, invite some friends to come to you. After all, it doesn't matter where you are. All that matters is who you're with. Being around people who mean a lot to you will comfort you and maybe even temporarily make you forget about that significant other who broke your heart!

3) Stuff your face! It may not be the healthiest solution- but hey, spoiling yourself with your favorite snacks sure does bring you a sense of relief and happiness!

4) Listen to music. Whether you're listening to sad/angry break-up songs or those with more of an uplifting feel, music is always there for you and it reminds you that you are not alone. Plenty of people have gone through similar events that you have, and they have made it through.
5) I know it's easier said than done, but just try not to think about it. Don't go back and re-read the text messages from him/her. I know you will have the urge to here and there, but that's just a way to break your heart over and over again. As much as it may hurt, try to gather up the courage to hit that "delete" button!
6) Remain civil and mature. It's easy to be bitter after a break up. Although it can be difficult to stay friends after the break up, it isn't impossible. Sure, at first it may feel awkward or hurt a lot. With time it will get easier and if you really want to stay in each others lives, you will be able to get over the tension and remain friends. Just let time do it's trick, and don't give up! Even if they aren't sure about it now, they just might come to realize they miss you and come around in the future!
7) Don't move on too quickly. This isn't exactly a tip to help you get over your ex, but it will prevent you from hurting yourself even more as well as others. Don't put yourself out there thinking that being with someone else will help you get over your previous love. In all honesty, this will not work and it will just make things more difficult for everyone. Never use someone as a rebound- it just isn't right. Be with someone simply because you want to be with them, not because you just want someone to help you get over your feelings for someone else. There's no excuse to use or hurt someone like that. If you do want to be with someone new, I would strongly recommend waiting a while first until all your feelings for your ex have vanished and you have completely gotten over your break-up.
8) Don't do something you are going to regret. It's easy to make silly mistakes when you are heartbroken. You have to learn to remind yourself that going out and doing something crazy or something you would normally be uncomfortable with isn't a solution to your pain. In the long run, it will just hurt you rather than help.
9) Don't be afraid to grieve. If you need to talk to someone about it, don't be ashamed. If you cry, that's perfectly understandable. A broken heart is not easy to mend. Reaching out for help when you need it or crying is NOT a bad thing.
10) Don't give up on love. Don't blame yourself. Don't think there is anything wrong with you. Maybe you're the one in the relationship who made the mistake, but that's okay. Don't beat yourself up over it. Mistakes are meant to be made because we learn from them. Some lessons just have to be learned the hard way, and that's a part of life. If the other person is the one who made the mistake, well then they just simply weren't the right one. If they cheated or intentionally hurt you in any way, it's about time for an upgrade anyway. You just have to remind yourself that you deserve better. It's easy to think you two are meant to be when you are love. But what is meant to last will. If it doesn't, then everything happens for a reason. Kelly Clarkson said it best herself when she sang: "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger". I know the phrase "There are plenty of fish in the sea" may seem cliche, but it's true. At the moment you may not believe that there is anyone else out there who will make you as happy as your ex did, but somewhere in this world of 7 billion people, there is someone who will make you even happier. And it's just a matter of time before you meet. Patience is the key. So don't feel so down; it's only a matter of time before you'll be back on your feet and ready to set off on a new journey with a new special someone! :)

7 Ways For Single People To Spend Valentine's Day

Hey! Guess what's coming up?! Valentine's Day AKA the most dreaded day of the year for every single person out there. However there is nothing wrong with being single; In fact, sometimes I think it's way less complicated or stressful. But let's face it- everyone wants someone who can make them feel special, especially on Valentine's Day, or "as long as we are a couple let's shove our love and affection into all the single peoples' faces" day. So if you are one of those single people who dread being bombarded with all these happy couples, roses, and heart-shaped boxes of chocolate everywhere you go, I took it upon myself to come up with some helpful ways to make yourself feel less lonely on V-Day!

1) Kiss your pet. Pets are always there for you when humans aren't- plus they don't come with all the drama!

2) If you don't have a pet, kiss a stuffed animal. It may seem a little crazy/embarrassing, but hey it really does make you feel less lonely!

3) Don't have a pet or a stuffed animal? No problem, at least you always have yourself. If you really want to get weird (and less lonely), stand in front of a mirror and blow kisses to yourself! After all, there is no one who understands you better than... you! For some motivation, perhaps whisper inspiring phrases to yourself as you look in the mirror.  For instance,"I am a beautiful strong woman who doesn't need a man to be happy", or "I am an independent man who is just fine on my own.", or "Those who don't want to be with me are missing out and they are just very understandably jealous of and intimidated by my amazing self."... Right?

4) If finding a substitute instead of a partner to kiss does not work, have a night out with your single friends! There's nothing like a good old girls' or guys' night to pick you up and make you realize that you aren't alone!

5) Buy romantic gifts for yourself. Go ahead on splurge on jewelry, chocolate, flowers... Anything you would want your significant other (who IS out there somewhere, probably going through the same experience as you are) to buy you on this holiday.

6) Hershey kisses. That's correct, you read that right! If you decide you still want some sort of kiss on Valentine's Day, stuff your face with the deliciousness that is... *drumroll please*... chocolate! After all, what could be better than that?! (Well, you know... besides having a special someone to actually spend Valentine's Day with...)

But anyway...

7) If you're just really not feeling great about not having someone to spend the day with, turn up the speakers, sit back, relax, and listen to the miracle worker that is... music. There's nothing more satisfying than a depressing/angry break up song to remind you how complicated and cruel the world of love can be, and why sometimes being single isn't so bad after all!

2014 Fashion/Beauty Trends!

There are people who think "trends are so over-rated, and they just aren't "me"! Well I have to say, I'm guilty of believing that at times, too. But there comes a point in time where you see certain fashion trends that ARE you and you wonder if it's possible to fall in love with a fashion product... No? Is it just me? Okay, well anyway, back on track! I've managed to find some new, cute fashion trends that seem to have already made 2014 one of the most fashionable years ever. What's your take on these? Will you be rocking any of these trends any time soon?

1) Have you ever heard of friendship bracelets? They've been around for as long as I can remember, in every different style you could ever imagine. But what about a new twist on the classic "friendship bracelets"? I came across these the other day and thought they were so cute and worth sharing! They're friendship bracelet nail stickers! You don't need to spend money on a manicure or spend lots of time painting your nails, and they stay on well but are also easy to peel off. What do you think of this new trend?
2) Another new trend slowly slithering its way into the fashion world- tribal print. I fell in love with this Tribal Heart Tunic Sweatshirt from Kohl's! It's even meets the 3 "C" expectations- comfy, casual, and cute!
3) Yoga pants- girls love them, guys love them, who DOESN'T love them?! But how about a new twist on them? For instance, say you're going for a workout (not that I would know much about that, as my idea of a "workout" is walking to the fridge and back...) but anyway, working out (actual working out that non-lazy people do), burns a lot of calories, and obviously can make you very warm/sweaty. So why on earth would you want to wear long yoga pants? Check out these yoga SHORTS!! They are not only super-comfy, but they're fashionable and absolutely adorable!
4) I never really understood what the point of pajama trends are... After all, it's not like a bunch of people are going to watch you sleep. Unless, of course, you have creepers for neighbors. But I came across these adorable plaid PJ pants and just thought I'd share! :)
5) Also trending in the world of fashion- neon animal shirts! They're simple, fashionable, casual, and cool to look at! What's better than that combination? I especially love this one from JCPenney, and it's only $10!
6) Tie-front shirts are another chart topper when it comes to new trends! Not only do they come in tons of different styles, but they're fashionable all-year-round! Whether your style best relates to this woven/dip dye one, this one with eye-popping Aztec-Print, or perhaps a more subtle half-sleeved option, you are sure to find one you can't help but love! They even have a variety of patterns such as patched, polka dotted, lace/denim, a plaid crop-top one!
7) Not only are leggings super comfortable, stretchy, and flexible, but they are also cute, pretty, and fashionable! There are hundreds of different types of prints on leggings! For instance, check out these awesome-effect unicorn leggings! I love these comic book hero leggings, or if you're more into the antagonist side of comic books, try these comic book monster leggings! Also, get the holiday feel with these amazing rare reindeer leggings, or if your style is something a little more feminine, they even have floral print ones!
8) Combat boots are making a HUGE comeback this year! They're comfy, water-resistant, and can be both cute AND sexy! Not to mention you can find even the most upscale ones at bargain prices! Check out this pair  from Wet Seal!
9) Infinity scarves- They can be worn as casual or classy, go with any outfit, and are both attractive and cozy all at once! What could be better than that?! They come in a variety of colors, patterns, and styles. Just take a look at this one!
10) Last but not least, printed hard-case wallets! They can hold more than your average wallets, come in an abundance of varieties, and can be excellent substitutes when you don't want to drag around a big, heavy purse with you! They're compact and very "in" this year! There are those with cool tech patterns, colorful stripes, animated prints, and some even come with a removable strap so you can wear it as a wristlet!

Which trend is YOUR favorite? But remember, trends are just trends, and trends are not meant to pressure anyone; They're just meant to make people aware in case the trend just happens to be something they really end up liking! I guess what I'm trying to say is... dress to EXPRESS, not to IMPRESS. If it's just not "you", don't wear it! You shouldn't force yourself to wear anything that you're not comfortable in or that you just don't really like just because most other people are wearing it. I know it sounds cliche, but stay true to yourself because when it comes down to it there really is only 1 YOU in this world. If you don't see a trend that is to your liking, make your own. Just add your own personal preference to any outfit and you can be your own trend-setter, or maybe even trendy inspiration for someone else!

10 Facts You Didn't Know About "The Hunger Games"!

1) Jennifer Lawrence was paid $500,000 to play Katniss in the first movie. For the second movie, she was paid 20 times more ($10 million)!

2) "The Hunger Games" fans (who call themselves "Tributes"), have come up with a "ship name" (a name used to describe a couple or 2 people someone would like to be together, often created by combining their names together) for Katniss and Peeta's undeniable love connection- Katniss + Peeta = Peeniss... Interesting.

3) Josh Hutcherson, (who plays Peeta), read the complete "Hunger Games" series in less than a week to prepare for his role!

4) Long before "The Hunger Games", Jennifer modeled for "Abercrombie and Fitch". 

Jennifer Lawrence as an "Abercrombie & Fitch"
model back in 2006.

5) One day, she was coming home from archery training which she attended to prepare for her role as Katniss, and she heard voices of men coming from inside her house. Thinking someone had broken in, she quickly snatched her bow and arrow for self-defense. It turns out they were just workers fixing up her patio. She put the arrow down, understandably a little embarrassed, and tried to redeem herself by saying "Hey, how ya doing?"

6) In the first film, when Katniss was running through the burning forest during the games, Jennifer Lawrence "thought she was going to die" because they used real fire and explosives and she could not remember which trees were going to explode when.

7) In between takes, Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson spent their time shadow boxing. One day, Jennifer accidentally kicked Josh right in the temple, resulting in a minor concussion.

8) The second movie "Catching Fire" was the first film starring a female lead to top the annual box office since 1973.

9) 3 of the main actors; Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss), Josh Hutcherson (Peeta), and Liam Hemsworth (Gale), all had to dye their hair for their roles. Jennifer and Liam went from blonde to brown, which Josh died his natural brown hair blonde.

10) Author Suzzane Collins got the idea for "The Hunger Games" whilst flipping through TV channels. (This is also a perfect excuse to use when your parents complain that "sitting on your a** and watching TV won't get you anywhere. HA! Take that, mom!)