Banishing Blemish Marks

Banishing those blemish marks for good has never been so easy. Guess what? It gets better...you can do it ALL in the comfort of your own home! Here are 3 home remedies from Beauty Tips:

1. Vitamin E Oil ~ This is one of the simplest solutions on how to get ride of acne marks. Just apply a little vitamin E oil at the beginning of each day, overtime, these signs are minimized. The only thing you should note that these solutions will take time.

2. Lavender Oil ~ One of the best home remedies for acne scar removal is lavender oil. It is rich in fatty acids and is extremely effective in reducing the signs of scarring. Simply apply the essential oil on your scar and surrounding area.

3. Apple & Honey Mix ~ This combination is extremely useful. What you need to do is mix and stir apples and honey together to form a paste. Apply it on your face and wash after 20 minutes. This is one of the most popular ways to get rid of acne marks.

Beach Bunnies on Facebook

Good afternoon bloggers! I've started a Facebook account for anyone who wants to follow my blog, but doesn't have a Blogspot account. I made the address LBCBeachBunny so it's easy to find, but I titled it Beach Bunnies so that people from all cities feel welcome. We may come in different shapes, sizes, and colors, but in the end we're all beautiful beach bunnies! XOXO


https://www.facebook.com/LBCBeachBunny

Anne's Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

I know we're supposed to be getting bikini ready, but this just looked too good. I found this on cookingwithanne.blogspot.com (she also has a recipe for Lime Cupcakes), and honestly, it was love at first sight. First, they're PINK! Second, they taste like lemonade. That's all it takes for me to love this recipe. If there is a heaven, these are most definitely being served there...!


Pink Lemonade Cupcakes
 - makes 18-24

1 boxed white cake mix (most are 18.52 ounces)
2 whole eggs
1/3 cup oil
1 1/4 cups water
zest of half a lemon
juice of half a lemon
red food dye

Icing
3/4 cup butter - softened (1 1/2 sticks)
zest of half a lemon
juice of half a lemon
red food dye
powdered sugar (3-4 cups depending on how much juice your lemon holds)

Mix up the cake mix with the eggs, oil, water, zest and juice. Add dye a few drops at a time and mix well until the correct color is reached. Pour into muffin tins, lightly greased or set with cupcake wrappers. Bake at 350 degrees F for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown and springy when touched in the center. Let cool.

Beat the butter until fluffy and add zest. Pour in juice and powdered sugar a cup at a time, and keep beating until icing forms and is of a nicely spreadable consistency. Add dye and blend until color is right. Frost cooled cupcakes and decorate as desired.

Anne's Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

8 Simple Steps for Sandal Ready Feet

8 Wonderful Tips for Beautiful Sandal Ready Feet


1. Alpha Hydroxy Acid Cream ~ Smother your feet in a little alpha hydroxy acid cream. The AHA helsp exfoliate the dead dry skin that accumulated on your feet over the winter. Rub the cream on every night to help get those heels looking smooth.


2. Soak with Tea Tree Oil ~ Tea tree oil is one amazing essential oil. It does so many different things. In this case it works as an antiseptic and kills fungus. Before you bare the, make your feet sandal ready by adding a couple drops into a warm foot bath.


3. Scrub Away Rough Patches ~ If you have any remaining rough patches of dry skin on your feet you are going to want to scrub that away. Get a good foot exfoliating cream and rub it into your heels. Before long you will have beautiful sandal ready feet!


4. Treat Cuticles ~ When you get out of the shower or after soaking your feet, add a little cuticle oil and gently push the skin down. Follow up by clipping the skin with a cuticle clipper.


5. Moisturize ~ Just like you moisturize the rest of your skin, you also need to moisturize your feet. Rub a little lotion on your feet in the morning as you start your day. They will love you for it and pay you back by giving you sandal ready feet.


6. Trim Toenails ~ GIRL, you know when those things are too long and need to be cut. There just isn't anything cute about toe nail claws unless you're a wild feline in the jungle. Keep your toenails trimmed regularly and don't forget to file them if they appear jagged or misshaped.


7. Add Polish ~ All sandal ready feet have perfectly polished toes. Pick out your favorite color or try a new trendy color. Think bright and bold! Try greens, blues, and orange for something trendy and different.


8. Find Some Great Sandals ~ My favorite part of getting sandal ready feet is finding the perfect sandals to pair them with. Get your girlfriends, grab your wallet, and head to your favorite shoe store. Sandals are already out on display so NOW is the time to start looking for your perfect summer pair (or pairs).


The sooner you start getting sandal ready feet, the sooner you can show them off!


Stay sunny beach bunnies! XoXo


Beauty Tips

Dirty Makeup -> Dirty Face

Don't forget to clean your make-up and brushes before getting dolled up this weekend! Xoxo beach bunnies! ♥ 

Ever wondered why your skin is breaking out or why you have a cold sore? It could be your makeup! Dirty products (not just brushes) can cause a whole heap of skin problems and disease such as blemishes, conjunctivitis, and even cold sores! "When you think about it, you wouldn't use the same fork all week without washing it, would you? The same thing goes with your makeup," says founder of Beauty So Clean, Nancy Crossley. Nancy began Beauty So Clean after years of working as a makeup artist and noticing that there were no quick, easy ways to sanitize beauty products and brushes while on the job.

"Cleaning all of your products after every use is essential, especially those that are near your mouth and eyes, and those that you use regularly,” says Nancy. "Mascara, eye liner, and eye shadow can all transfer disease such as conjunctivitis, and lipstick and gloss can carry around old food remnants—and who wants a bout of E. coli on their lips?" It's also important to keep everyday beauty must-haves such as foundation clean, too. "If you're applying foundation—or any product—with your fingers, wash your hands before and after use" explains Nancy. "These products spread bacteria like crazy, and are often the biggest cause of acne!" Regularly cleaning your products also increases their lifespan. "By ensuring that no nasty bacteria is eating away at your favorite lipstick, it will definitely last longer," explains Nancy.
Our tip? Invest in an easy-to-use cleaning product, like the Beauty So Clean Cosmetic Sanitizer Mist. The spray means you can clean any product in 10 seconds, and the formula is chemical-free, so you won't irritate your skin!

The Truth About Cleaning Your Makeup

Weekend Challenge

Women's Health Magazine has a weekend challenge that suits just about everybody. Do this sequence 10x when you first wake up in the morning and you'll be good to go! Women's Health Mag is challenging you to do it this weekend, but I'm challenging you to do it every day. Good luck beach bunnies!!!

20 Minute Masque-Over

Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque is perfect for a last minute make-over, boost to start your day or for when you simply want to relax. It only takes 15 minutes to dry, absorbing excess oil and helping to rinse away blackheads. This masque leaves your skin feeling cool and refreshed, so it's especially helpful during warmer weather. It reduces redness and shrinks enlarged pores, giving you that facial fresh look at a wallet friendly price. This product is great for someone on a tight budget because it lasts forever and it truly works after just one use. For a quick 20 minute masque-over, stop by your local drug or grocery store and pick up a tube of Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque. You will not regret it!

Feet Care Tips

FEET CARE TIPS
Simple home remedies:
Soak feet for 10 minutes in warm water to which salt has been added. Remove and scrub dry, especially between the toes. This is the easiest way to relax tired feet. In the case of a sprain add Epsom salt to the water for best results.
You can also use the hot ‘n’ cold treatment, which improves the blood circulation of your feet. First dip you feet in hot water and then dip it in cold water. Do this for 20 minutes.
Alternatively add a shampoo to warm water and soak your feet for 10 minutes. This will also improve the texture of the toenails.
For cracked heels mix a few drops of lemon juice in Vaseline and apply gently on cracked heels.
Scrub heels with pumice stone while bathing and then apply a rich moisturising cream.
Use a good hand and body lotion on your feet too.
Mix a few drops of lemon juice in vaseline and apply gently on cracked heels.
After bath, apply almond oil to the feet and massage until all the oil has been soaked up. Do it for a month for best results.


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8 Amazing Homemade Exfoliators

8 AMAZING HOMEMADE EXFOLIATORS …
Homemade exfoliators are some of the best in the world! Not only are they all natural, but homemade exfoliators also ensure that your skin stays soft all of the time! Whether you are just trying to get rid of some breakouts you might be having or you’re trying to prevent the breakouts, homemade exfoliators can help! So ladies, I’ve got the top 8 homemade exfoliators that will absolutely make a difference in how your skin feels!


1. COFFEE, LAVENDER & SUGAR SCRUB
This is actually one of the homemade exfoliators that I use all of the time. The calming effects of lavender, the scrub of the coffee grounds and the sugar make this exfoliator one of the best out there! Seriously ladies, if you are looking for something to calm your blemish-filled skin, this is the homemade exfoliator for you!
2. SUGAR & OLIVE OIL
Sugar and olive oil has been one of the most popular homemade exfoliators out there! All you do is take some sugar, add in some olive oil and you got yourself an incredible, skin-softening scrub! The combination of the oil and sugar makes a fantastic softening agent that also will scrub away all of those dead cells.
3. SALT & LEMON
If you’ve been having a lot of problems with oily skin, don’t worry ladies! This is one of the homemade exfoliators that is made for oily skin! The lemon juice will wipe away all of that oil while the salt will scrub away everything else! Try it ladies, it really works!
4. STRAWBERRIES & HONEY
I actually am a huge, huge fan of strawberries as well as honey and this super sweet exfoliator is incredible! Not only does it soften up any rough skin that you have, but the strawberry seeds work wonders for clearing away any and all dead skin you have!
6. EPSOM SALTS & WATER
Epsom salts are some of the purest salts in the world! They also feel great when you slip into a bath of them right? Well ladies, if you’re really looking to brush away those dead skin cells and truly reveal the softness of your skin, you’ve got to try just a little Epsom salts and water! It’ll make all of the difference!
7. HONEY & SUGAR
Honey has so many different uses in the skin care world and I gotta say, mixing it with a little sugar makes a fantastic scrub! This scrub will not only soften up your skin, but it will make it glow and look radiant!
8. BROWN SUGAR
Brown sugar is another homemade exfoliator that is sure to soften up your skin quickly, brown sugar is it! Now, you can either use a brown sugar paste (brown sugar and water) or just straight brown sugar. Whether form will work wonders!
I actually think that making homemade exfoliators is so much fun and actually can be great for a spa night at home by yourself or with your girlfriends! Seriously ladies, try all of these homemade exfoliators out and let me know how it goes! Ladies, what exfoliators do you use now?


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Dr Oz Approved Artichoke Spinach Dip

I thought my eyes were deceiving me when I saw artichoke spinach dip on Dr Oz's webpage. Not only is it Dr Oz approved, but it's reduced calorie AND reduced fat. I think I'm in heaven! Bikini season is around the corner so if you feel like snacking try this and I promise, you will not be disappointed!

"Chef Todd Wilbur madeover Olive Garden’s® hot artichoke and spinach dip so that you can enjoy your favorite appetizer guilt-free! Using reduced-fat cream cheese and Greek yogurt, this recipe cuts the fat and calories of the original dish nearly in half!"

Ingredients

Makes 1 1/2 cups (3 total servings)

1 cup chopped frozen artichoke hearts, thawed and diced

1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed

2 tbsp water

4 oz reduced-fat cream cheese

4 oz 2% Greek yogurt

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tbsp low-fat milk

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1 pinch ground black pepper

1/2 tomato, diced

For Dipping

Crackers

Toasted bread

Pita chips

Raw sliced vegetables

Directions

Combine diced artichoke hearts and chopped spinach in a microwave-safe bowl with 2 tablespoons of water, cover bowl with plastic and poke a few holes in it to vent. Microwave vegetables on high for 6 minutes.

Combine remaining ingredients in a small saucepan. Add the steamed artichokes and spinach and place pan over medium/low heat, stirring often for 10 minutes or until simmering. Just before serving, you may wish to broil the dip in an oven-safe dish for 1 to 2 minutes (under high broil) or just until slightly brown on top. Arrange the diced tomato in a pile in the center of the dip and serve with crackers, toasted bread, pita chips or raw vegetables for dipping.

Nutritional Facts

For 1 (1/2 cup) serving

230 calories
14 g fat

Dr Oz Approved Artichoke Spinach Dip

Burt's Bees Peppermint Foot Lotion

Don't you love how soft and smooth your feet feel after a relaxing pedicure? Wish you could feel like that every day? Now you can! It's a heck of a lot cheaper too. With Burt's Bees Peppermint Foot Lotion you can bring that trip to the spa home with you. After a long day of errands, activities, and to top it off - doing it in heels - there is nothing better than sitting back, kicking off my shoes, and soaking my tired feet. I've tried everything from pumice stones to the PedEgg, and while they all seemed to work, this lotion is by far my favorite product for dry aching feet. The pumice stone and PedEgg is great if you want to remove excess/dead skin, but what about restoring moisture? Burt's Bees Peppermint Foot Lotion is a great way to keep your feet soft and refreshed at a reasonable price. I've actually saved money because I don't have to get pedicures as often. Overall, I highly recommend this product!

Mascara is a girl's best friend!

I don't wear much make-up, but when I do, mascara is a must. I recently bought Maybelline Volum' Express Falsies Mascara. It gave my eyelashes more volume and length. It's a little thick, so if you have an eyelash brush/comb it works perfectly! This mascara really made my eyes pop and helped my tired eyes. It's wonderful for someone who wants to brighten their eyes, while maintaining a natural look. Inexpensive and easy to apply, Maybelline Volum' Express Falsies Mascara is a great pick for anyone who doesn't want to mess with false eyelashes, but still wants beautiful thick eyelashes. 

Hi, my name's AnnaMaria and I'm an Olay-aholic

Hi everyone! I'm excited to share my first blog with you, thanks for taking the time to read. 

Well, I had a great weekend with my family in Long Beach, CA.  I went shopping, cooked up some delicious meals, and tried some new beauty products. If you're like me, you've probably tried a plethora of beauty products.  It can be fun trying new products, but it can also be frustrating and expensive! I received the Olay Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System as a gift a couple of months ago and it has worked wonders on my skin. If you're not familiar with this product, it's basically a handheld device with a spinning brush so you can cleanse your skin without using your fingertips.  It came with a sample of Olay Pro-X Exfoliating Renewal Cleanser, which I now use daily. It has left my skin clear, smooth, and baby soft. I've never had extreme skin problems, but I've also never had perfect skin. Now I get compliments all the time and I don't wear even a speck of make-up.

Last week, I bought Olay Complete All Day UV Moisturizer, SPF 15, Combination/Oily Skin. I'm constantly out in the sun, whether I'm in my garden or at the beach. This product keeps my skin moisturized without looking greasy or clogging my pores. I think I might try another moisturizer by Olay just because I want to fight wrinkles too, so if you can recommend another one please do!

Olay Ultra Moisture Body Wash is my new favorite product! I bought it Saturday the 21st, and already I've seen improvements. I have very sensitive skin, but this product doesn't bother my skin at all. The back of the bottle says you'll notice a difference after one use and for once this actually came true for me! I forgot to put lotion on today and my skin is still silky smooth. I recommend this product for anyone with dry, sensitive skin. AND it smells absolutely amazing! When I read that I could use it as a shave gel, I was skeptical to say the least. I gave it a try and vuala! Worked like a charm. It's official - I love OLAY!

Next stop on my trip through Olay-ville....Body lotion/moisturizer. Although the Olay Ultra Moisture Body Wash works wonderfully alone, I'd love to pair it with a lotion. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'll be keeping you posted as I try different ones.

Thanks for your recommendations and taking the time to read my blog. Keep on smiling!
~AnnaMaria