Back to Fitness...

Hey My Beauties!!!  I do hope that fall has been going well for most of you. I have been in the Midwest now for 3 months and it has been a transition. My job has been running me ragged so no real time to get myself into a workout routine.

I have not been in a gym in about 9 years. Though I have worked out off and on, i need to get back to being healthy.

I joined Planet Fitness a week ago and I went there today for the first time today. I decided for my own personal reasons to start slow. Being what is considered "looking healthy" doesn't necessarily mean you are.

I did the treadmill for 30 mins and then 15 mins of triceps.

I know I have to tackle getting in shape slowly but it was totally worth it. I got my burst of post workout energy and did my household chores afterwards.

What I do love about Planet Fitness is that there is no judging. Everyone is there to get themselves in shape and whatever that means to them.

I look forward to doing different workout everyday and getting myself up to an hour a day. I am realistic and since this will be new for me again, I am not going to drive myself crazy.


Be Gorgeous. Be Wonderful, Be You.

Water Water Everywhere and Lush is taking a stand to keep it that way

Hey My Beauties.

Today  I am going to focus on something a bit more environmental.  As you know, we are always trying to find better ways to protect our planet. We recycle, use surge protectors, turn off lights when we leave the room, bike ride and more.  We are also becoming more conscious of what we eat and drink.

A commodity that we take for granted is water. Water washes us and quenches our thirst yet most of the world does not have clean access to it.

Well water is a basic human right and Lush Cosmetics has a campaign called take back the tap. They want people to become better recyclers by not purchasing bottled water.

 

They want us to use reusable bottles to drink water and basically drinking water from the tap. Though bottled water is easy, most of the times we are not really great at recycling those bottles  and they end up in landfills.  We all know that plastic takes forever to break down so why not be better.

just a few tidbits for you

1) tap water is under more stringent regulation and standards than bottled water.

2) most bottled water is usually tap water .

3) Reusing a BPA free and Aluminum bottle saves money

4) Unfortunately, the process for making plastic containers do have some low levels of chemicals in them.

Why not help yourself while helping the environment and stop buy a LUSH and pick up a reusable water bottle.

$12.95 and $5.00 goes to help support three charities that are working to preserve water and water habitats

 To learn more about take back the tap ----> click here

Keeping it Clean----- Helpful hints for the beauty shopper

Hey Beauties. I hope that this summer is not stressing your skin out or causing your deodorant to go into overdrive.

Today's blog is all about keeping it sanitary when shopping for Beauty products.

Working for a beauty retailer has truly opened my eyes to how people shop. Do not get me wrong. I have worked in retail long enough to know that most people these days are horrible shoppers with no regard for anyone but themselves. Notice I said most.  There are few who were raised properly and still respect where they shop and where they work.

Beauty shops do have it the hardest because everyone wants to try everything.

 Unfortunately, most people are not very clean.



Dipping their hands and fingers into testers and even "live" product with no regard for the fact that every beauty place has cotton swabs,  mascara brushes, eyeshadow wands, lip stick wands, cotton rounds and more.

I would really love to know why people revert to treating places like its their home. You want to stick your fingers in your own product that is completely your own business but when you are out and about show some respect for the business.

Here are a few ideas that will help in your quest as you shop.

1) Seek out the demo stations. Sephora is infamous for having those stations in every shop with brushes galore.

2) If you happen not to see any brushes, ask. I guarantee there is an associate around who will be more than glad to help you out.

3) If you have an opportunity, wash your hands. You have been out either driving, taking mass transit or just being outside. Germs are everywhere.

4) Buy and try at home.  Find out what the return policy is. Most companies have 30 days and hold on to your receipt. ( make sure to remember that )

Hope this helps my beauties.

Stay Cool

Happy Mother's day

Hey my beauties. As you know, May has begun which only leaves 10 shopping days till Mother's day ( you know, your life giver). We all know each mom is different but I have found a few sites and products that I think every mom may love.

For the Mom that is always on the go, here are a few ideas to help her relax.
Lush cosmetics has beautiful gift sets for mom and my recommendation is A Mother's Day in Paradise 

Let mom relax at a cost of $56.95

This gift has the Secret garden bath Bomb, The comforter bubble bar, Ro's argan body conditioner, Sultana soap, Lemony Flutter cuticle butter, Dream Cream body lotion, Mumkin Bubble Bar and the Madame Butterfly reusable bubble bar. This gift has the scent of Rose, Lavender, Lemon and Jasmine. This will make mom let her worries flow down the drain while the scents just relax her mind.

If your mom loves jewelry, let Pandora Bracelets be your guide. These beautiful charm bracelets can bring a mom to tears ( of joy). The wonderful things about these bracelets is you buy the base bracelet or bangle and then you purchase different charms and in this makes it more personalized is because you find charms that would mean the most to your mom . Her hobbies and her interests.

Bracelets start as low as $40 and goes up depending on the metal and what makes Pandora even better, you can buy a charm for holiday, birthday or the day I love Just because.

If your mom is a bit different and doesn't like what is considered the norm, may I suggest hitting up Uncommon Goods. This site has so many different and eclectic products that I do not doubt not finding something amazing for that mom that's off the beaten path.

I do hope all of you find something amazing for the woman who gave you life.

Be gorgeous. Be Wonderful. Be You.

This Recruit is reporting for duty again.

Hello My Lovelies.  I do hope February is treating you well. Yesterday, my Beauty Army kit arrived. It has been a while for me personally. I have put myself on a budget and sometimes even spending $12 a month was a difference between makeup or lunch ( you know food won out) . But now that I have paid off a few things and my budget has opened up, this recruit is back !!!!

What better time to come back than during the month of LOVE!!!

 I chose Ineke Hothouse Flower Perfume . Beautiful scent of Gardenia and with the my new found knowledge of perfumes, it works well with my body chemistry. Happy Girl. :)

Next up: Sweet Pea Shea Enriched Shower Gel. Smells amazing and I look forward to trying it out. I have been a bit spoiled by working at work Lush Cosmetics. I do already have my shower gel favorites but hey I am always willing to try something new.

Lash Card: Time to bat my baby browns and make them pop. I am still wrapping my head around a need for a lash card considering how many mascaras out there now are clump free and such but I am slowly learning in beauty, there is a need for everything. I

Whip Hand Cosmetics is one of my favorite cosmetics brands. I am so happy I have the opportunity to try the loose pigment eye shadow. The color is gorgeous bronze and it goes on so smoothly. BONUS: They don't test on animals either. Speaks to my  heart <3

Last but certainly not least Olive bar natural beauty bar. This bar smells amazing and reminds of work with the beautiful bland of lavender, lemon and lemongrass. YUMMYNESS ABOUNDS!!!

Everything smells amazing and I am happy girl. For all my new beauties out there, if you want to become a new recruit in the Beauty Army Family, Click on this link.

Have a great day my Beauties!!

Be Gorgeous. Be Wonderful. Be You. 

My Hair Journey 2013

Hello My Beauties. I hope 2013 is starting of well for all of you.  I decided 2 years ago to go natural. It was a personal choice. I learned so much about taking care of my hair  what products to use and such. while i enjoyed the journey, I went back to relaxing my hair. Before anyone judges, I always believe whatever anyone does to their hair is their decision.

It sometimes felt that when i was natural, I was part of secret club of those who wore their pride on their head. The problem I always face and will always face is no one ever believes it is my natural hair color ( well except my mom and my friends who have known me for years) so whether natural or relaxed, I couldn't win anyway.

I decided to do what is best for me but take what i learned during my natural time to maintain my growth cycle. I went to my hairdresser that I have had for about 15 years. I trust her to take care of my hair and she always does an amazing job. Her name is Merna and her shop is Ebony Styles Beauty Salon. It is located on the east side of Manhattan. Merna is amazing and anyone that gets her to to their hair will love it.

The products I  used while natural will still be jojoba oil, coconut oil and olive oil. My hair is naturally dry so those particular oils are my friend. Also. I got a fab haircut and it is something I can maintain on my own. I am really excited and I got my BANGS BACK!!!!!

Hello 2013

Hello my beauties. My apologies for my blog disappearance. 2012 was not the greatest year for me but it did help lay the groundwork for 2013.

Just to give you background into me: I am a freelance photographer, currently work for a cosmetics retailer, in the process moving to the Midwest and a writer.

Beauty is an extension of everything above but unfortunately it has been some what neglected.  Never fear, I have begun a new time management program so starting in Feb 2013, I will have found a way to post timely and more effectively.

For those that have stuck with me, thank you so much. You have no idea how much that means to me.

If you want to follow most of my other exploits, you can check my photo on Facebook at facebook.com/ dracophoto. My instagram is beautyamateur_janadd.  My other blog for more family, topical, and personal is draco1976.wordpress.com.

Thanks for sticking with me my BA Beauties.