DIY: Easy-Peasy Valentine's Day Nails

When at one time we would have jumped at the opportunity to dress our nails with outlandish designs of hearts, xo's and maybe even a cupid's bow, nail art has taken a backseat to basic, simple designs you can wear anywhere. Here's my favorite design this season, just follow these steps below to get the look. Soo pretty but oh so easy to do!

Step One: File and shape your nails in a natural square or roundish shape.

Step Two: Apply your favorite base coat.

Step Three: Apply a pink shade on the entire nail bed.

Step Four: Apply a coral shade on one side of the nail, covering about 3/4's of the nail bed and ending in a subtle curve to create half of the heart shape. Then repeat on the other side, taking special care to intersect the two sides at the center of the nail.

Step Five: Apply a lovely red shade on one side of the nail covering about half of the nail bed and ending in the same subtle curve as you did when applying the Coral Peony. Repeat on the other side, again taking special care to intersect the two sides at the center of the nail.

Step Six: Finish with a high-shine top coat. Viola! Didn't I tell you it was easy? *wink*

DIY: Matte Nail Polish!

What You Need:

Cornstarch

Wax paper

Your nail polish of choice

A toothpick or plastic spoon

Step 1: Pour a bit of nail polish onto the wax paper. (I usually do about a hand's-worth at a time.)

Step 2: Using a toothpick or plastic spoon, mix in the cornstarch until well blended. You don’t need a lot of cornstarch – a pinch or two should do the trick!

Step 3: Quickly paint the nail polish/cornstarch mixture onto your nails before it dries. Simply apply it the same way you would regular nail polish and let dry. Remember not to use a top coat or you’ll lose the matte effect.

DIY Home Remedies: Winter Beauty Tips!

Harsh winds, steamy showers, dipping temps & drying indoor heat--can suck the life right out of your skin and hair. Here are a few tips to ward off the winter blues!

[Lackluster Hair]

Is your winter head dull, depressed & apathetic? Try this quick and easy home remedy for an instant hydration boost! [1-2x/week]

4 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons honey

1. Heat oil for 20 seconds
2. Mix with honey
3. Apply to hair, starting at ends and working up
4. Cover with a shower cap & wait 20 minutes
5. Wash & style as usual.

[Dry, Flaky Scalp]

This Scalp Treatment does away with the dry flakes of winter AND removes product build up & stimulates scalp to help speed up hair growth!

If you have a scalp treatment or color applicator brush - that's recommended! If not, use any soft bristle brush you have.

Mix 4 tablespoons coconut oil with 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 1 tablespoon grapefruit juice.

You’ll start on dry hair. Starting on top, place the brush (no mixture) on the scalp, rotate it across the scalp while pressing down and pull off in the end. Repeat across the scalp, parting hair where necessary. This will stimulate the blood circulation and loosen any dry skin scales. This should feel good, don’t press so hard that it hurts.

Next part the hair down the center and apply the oil mixture to the scalp with the application brush or cotton ball. Work in one inch sections down the sides of the head, then the back making sure the mixture covers the entire scalp.

Now give your scalp a good massage. Rub with your fingertips in a circular motion all over the scalp. Leave the treatment on for about 20 minutes.

Finish it off with a good shampoo and conditioner.

[Dry Skin]

[Face] Rose water! A simple spritz instantly and lightly nourishes. The idea behind this is that sugars found in rose petals add to rose water's soothing effect, and its natural oils trap moisture in the skin, helping it feel and look smoother. [Recommended: Younique's Rose Water -- vegan & revitalizing!]

[Body] Shorter showers are a must. Hot showers lasting more than 15 minutes compromise your lipid layer, which retains moisture. Another must is exfoliating 2x/week! Try this delicious DIY scrub:

2 tbsp honey
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup sweet almond oil
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to two weeks. 

[Chapped Lips]

1. Using a disposable mascara wand or toothbrush, apply a generous amount of lip balm directly on your lips.
2. Scrub back and forth, up and down and in small circular motions in the same fashion you would brush your teeth. Really work on the flaky areas until the loose skin gently breaks off.
3. Wrap a tissue around your finger and remove any flaky residue.
4. SMILE!

[Prevent Peeling, Dry Cuticles]

Simply: Take a very small amount of extra virgin olive oil and rub into your nails and cuticles. Do this each night!