Beauty Tips: Getting Rid Of Puffy Eyes & Dark Circles!

Image not my own

Sometimes I wake up in the morning and I have puffy, dark under eye circles. It’s not a good look for me. In fact, I reckon it’s not a good look for anyone. 

There are a number of reasons why you could be suffering from this nasty case of puffy eyes, such as staying up too late the night before, tossing back one too many cocktails or suffering from allergies. Whatever the cause, I’ve got the solution!

Step One: Find the Perfect Concealer

This sounds so simple, but most people don’t know how to choose the correct concealer palette for their skin. Choosing a shade for your under eye is different than the rest of your face.

What you want to do is pick a shade that is slightly warmer than your natural skin tone. You may need to test drive a few shades, but you’ll know when you have found the right one when it disappears into your skin naturally.

Concealers found in pots tend to be better than those found in sticks or wands, so keep this in mind when you are shopping.

Step Two: Blend and Hide

To perfectly apply your concealer, use a makeup brush. A brush reduces the likelihood of over application which can make your under eye situation look even worse.

Dip it into your concealer and dab it gently on  your under eye area and blend. You want to focus on the darkest areas first. Dabbing a little on your inner eye and eyelid will help brighten your eyes as well.

Step Three: A Flawless Finish

To get the most flawless, incandescent finish, sweep some translucent powder underneath your eyes. The shimmery flecks in this powder will give your eyes an instant eye boost.

Top this look off with a perfectly lined upper lid and mascara. Your eyes will look brighter, bigger and more beautiful.

A Little Pre-Concealer Prep

Some days my under eye circles are worse than others. On days when they’re looking extra dark and puffy I like to treat them to a simple potato paste.

Potato juice naturally lightens and reduces inflammation so it’s perfect to use before your makeup.

All you need to do is liquify one raw potato in a blender or food processor, close your eyes and place the puree over your peepers. In 20-30 minutes time you can rinse it off and you will see a noticeable difference.

Simple, effective and not very time consuming; I’d say that’s a beauty win! 

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Author Bio: Sabrina is a DIY loving beauty blogger for BESskincre.com. Whether she’s jet-setting or hanging out at home, she prefers to use her own skin care products like her Homemade Anti Aging Cream rather than buy them. Connect with her on Twitter or Facebook. http://dlvr.it/3LTNP9

Mere Feet…

Not everything you see is what you imagine or assume it to be.  Sometimes the greatest beauty can be found in the least likely of places.  In a world that places so much emphasis on the aesthetics of beauty, how does one see beyond the facade of it all?  True, there is beauty everywhere and usually it’s the obvious beauty that catches the eye and inspires the soul… after all, who doesn’t like something that is pleasing to the eye?  It’s human nature to gravitate towards the person, the object, the scene that is aesthetically pleasing.  It’s instinctual, animalistic nature at it’s utter core.  When a man and a woman are in search for a mate, they tend to initially gravitate towards the one that is most pleasing to the eye but pleasing to the eye doesn’t necessarily equate to pleasing of the soul.  
Beauty in all its forms fades as time withers away the outward exterior piece by piece but inner beauty can last forever if nurtured.  
Could I go on and on with this topic?  Yes.  Will I? Not today… As tempting as it is to continue the observations I’ve made over the years of how men and women tend to gravitate towards the visually pleasing, that’s not what this particular post is about.  This post is about something more profound, something much deeper and meaningful than the manifold attractions men and women have for each other.  This is about seeing true beauty in the most unlikely of places.  
Last Saturday my son and I went down to Kaka’ako Park with the Entertaining Angels ministry at our church to feed the homeless.  I’ve been slowly getting more active in our church and when I was invited to go help, I jumped at the chance and decided to bring Alaka’i along.  Some of you may cringe at the very idea of taking your child near the homeless or in an area where there are homeless and implied danger.  I took all of that into consideration before I went but decided to give it a chance regardless.  After all, Alaka’i is 11 now and he’s at that age where the attitude starts and the _”mom I know” _rolling of eyes becomes more and more prevalent.  As my sweet boy journeys towards being a teenager, the sass factor slowly kicks in and he gets so wrapped up in himself and what he wants that I thought, hey why not let him see the other side of the coin?  
Alaka’i was surprisingly excited to go so we went to One Love and met with the awesome group of people who go to feed the homeless.  Mind you, I’ve been going to the church for 2 years on Sundays and only recently began dipping my feet in so to speak and getting busy and active with the church.  One of the girls knew Alaka’i from the youth ministry and he being the always outgoing dude he is, took it upon himself to make an introduction so he could get to know everyone there.  We followed them in our car a few blocks from our church to Kaka’ako park to feed the homeless.  I’d be lying if I said that I _wasn’t_ nervous.  If it were just me, I would have no problem but this is my _baby_, my precious son and I was having a moment of regret as we pulled up.  Leave it to Alaka’i to wipe my fears away as he got out of the car and immediately poured himself into serving.  I was truly humbled by my boy in that very instant… to see him ask what he can do to help, to see him dish up the homeless and needy, to see him engage them and talk to them… It really made me so very proud of my boy.  
Why the picture above you ask?  Well that beautiful scene is at the waterfront at Kaka’ako Park, _mere feet_ from where there are dozens upon dozens of homeless men, women and children huddled up on the sidewalks in tents or under tarps sleeping because they have nowhere else to go. I’ve actually spoken with people before who had the audacity to say that the homeless _ruin_ the beauty of this waterfront.. Can you imagine that?  I was taken aback by that statement when someone told me that while Alaka’i and I were walking around passing plates out to the hungry.  It was a tourist so I can kind of understand why they’d think that but I digress.  
Mere feet from the photo above were these people, these families, with little children, starving and hungry.  It may sound trite but I saw more beauty that day in the faces of the people I met, in the smiles their children had on their faces though they had _nothing_.. I saw more beauty in the sun and wind battered face of a woman who is struggling to find a home for herself, in the face of a little boy name Brand who laughed and played as if he had not a  care in the world despite the fact that he had sores on his legs that hurt to look at.  No person, no human, no child deserves to live in such circumstances.  
Lucky we live in Hawai’i where the weather is consistently warm.  It warmed my heart to see my son eager to play with the kids, to help teach them how to make a lei out of paper, string and beads.  It blessed me so much to meet these people and see their smiling faces as we dished them up.  To hear their stories, to see their kindness and their souls so eager for nourishment for the body and the spirit.  To see people so receptive to God, to see them shocked when we told them to come to church as they are, that they would be welcomed and not judged.  The gift of giving is more a selfish thing for me now because I feel like I’m the one that truly gained something that day.   Stereotypes and assumptions are often wrong.  My son and I walking with a few brothers and sisters from church, went down the sidewalk where there were tents for many of the people who didn’t come to eat, a place I would have avoided in fear prior to this day.  We were welcomed with gratitude and smiles and seeing them eat that food that nourished their bodies and then to pray with them and see tears stream down their faces… To see the Holy Spirit working.  It was a truly selfish experience for me because my soul was so greatly blessed that day.  
Regardless of what you believe or don’t believe, I ask you to try to let go of stereotypes.  Just because something or someone isn’t _aesthetically _pleasing doesn’t mean that they aren’t beautiful.  Take some time and lend a hand to those in need, I promise you will feel such gratification that words alone cannot begin to express it.  Mere feet from the beautiful beach in the photo above exists some truly beautiful people who are just down on their luck.  Where do they exist in your neighborhood?  Under different circumstances that could be any one of us.  Serving those in need is a truly humbling experience that just blessed my soul. 
My son literally begged me to make it a weekly occurrence, man am I lucky to have such an amazing son or what?  Amid the busy and hectic work week I often whine about, how lucky am I to have a job, to have a son, to have my health, to have a home? Let’s all try to bless those in need, let’s be thankful for what we do have instead of griping about what we don’t. 
_‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’_ _Matthew 25:40_
I hope you are having a good week thus far!
Aloha,
http://dlvr.it/3JZGQY

Health Inspiration: Dr. Alejandro Junger On Diet Truths

Here are a few dietary fact or fictions I’d love to get your verdict on: 
Is there a difference between drinking ice-cold or room-temperature water? I’ve heard the former can help you burn calories, but the latter is better for digestion. 

“Room-temperature water does enable optimal digestion, although drinking chilled water has been found to burn calories, although very minimally. Your best bet is to be sure you are staying hydrated either way. Staying hydrated is essential to vital health. Shoot for eight to ten glasses of water daily, either lukewarm or ice cold.”

I’ve heard there are benefits to having water with lemon as the first thing you drink in the morning. True? 

“Lemon water is very detoxifying, high in vitamin C, and is actually alkalizing to the body. Warm lemon water is a great addition to your morning routine for many reasons. It’s a gentle, natural diuretic, it gives you a daily dose of vitamin C, it helps impart clearer skin, it hydrates the lymph system, it aids in digestion, and it balances pH.”

I’ve been reading a bit about how eating foods in certain combinations (fruits alone, vegetables with a starch) can help improve digestion and nutrient absorption. Have you found that to be true? 

“Optimal digestion and absorption through food combining is unique to the individual. However, some people find these basics helpful: fruits alone or on an empty stomach or before your meal; protein only with non-starchy vegetables; grains with starchy or non-starchy vegetables; and avoid protein and grains together. Healthy fats like avocado, coconut oil, and olive oil go well with all foods and are a great addition to your diet, no matter what.”

If I’ve been getting pretty abysmal sleep lately, could that affect my diet? 

“Getting adequate rest and sleep is essential for proper functioning. Our bodies do the bulk of their regulatory cleansing and repair work overnight, while we’re asleep. Without enough sleep, the body cannot properly rest and repair, a must for keeping hormones balanced and releasing toxins. All of these functions are crucial in maintaining weight and/or weight loss.

“Even one night without enough sleep affects the hormones that regulate appetite. The body will produce more of the hormone ghrelin, signaling that we are hungry, but less of the hormone leptin, which signals when we’ve had enough to eat. Consistently not getting enough sleep can affect blood-sugar levels and contribute to insulin resistance. Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to diabetes and obesity. Adequate sleep amounts vary for each individual; however, we typically suggest at least eight hours of sleep.

“Eating shortly before bed can have a negative effect on the quality of sleep, as well as your metabolism, so eat at least one to two hours before bed. A lighter meal in the evening can also promote a deeper, more restful sleep.”

_The Uruguay-born, New York-based Dr. Alejandro Junger is a pioneer of the modern detox movement. His first book, _Clean: The Revolutionary Program to Restore the Body’s Natural Ability to Heal Itself,_ was a _New York Times_ Bestseller, and he is a favorite of Gwyneth Paltrow, among countless other well-known fans. Most recently, Junger teamed with L.A.-based The Detox Market to offer his groundbreaking Clean detoxification program to the masses._

_{source}_ http://dlvr.it/3Gb3W8

Deal Reminder! 15% off Sephora During Chic Week – 4/12 through 4/21

SEPHORA’S Chic Week is in full swing! All beauty insiders get 15% off with code CHIC, 4/12 through 4/21. VIBs get an extra day, so it will be through 4/22 with code VIBCHIC. http://dlvr.it/3FhsWF

Shades of Lavender..

Lavender is one of my favorite scents _and_ colors.  In fact, I literally begged my parents to paint my room purple when I was growing up.  I’ve always been partial to shades of purple whether they occur in flowers or in the evening sky as the sun sets in the horizon, they all create this overwhelming sense of peace and tranquility in my soul.

Though living in Hawai’i doesn’t allow for the beautiful reds and yellows of the fall leaves or for snowy white winters, it does allow for a perpetual sort of springtime and summer with the flowers in bloom and the sun shining bright.  The only thing missing are the vast fields of lavender that you see when you’re visiting colder climates.  Not all kinds of lavender plants grow easily here in Hawai’i- unless you go to cooler areas like Kula, Maui where Ali’i Kula Lavender grows in beautiful abundance.  I haven’t been there in years but it is truly one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen.

The photo above is one I took of some dried lavender that I brought home with me to keep a little piece of beautiful Kula with me.  Every quarter or so I order a new, freshly dried bouquet of lavender along with some of their other lavender themed products like lotions and oils and their satchels to keep my drawers smelling fresh.  I just really have a penchant for all things lavender.

Today I had a lavender latte for the first time at Island Brew Coffeehouse and boy, was it yummy.  It’s actually what inspired today’s post.  I went to go take Alaka’i for some awesome lunch, you know… just mommy and her boy time.  It was great.  Afterwards I was buying groceries and decided to get a latte since I was right there and well, you know, I love coffee.  I was surprised to see the variety of flavors they had and when I saw the word “lavender” and “organic”, it’s like my soul cried out with a loud, resounding _YES!  _I’ve been there several times but just a quick in and out and no real time to browse the menu or try anything new. But I digress, this post is about lavender… I’ll post more on the coffeehouse another time.

Here are some of my favorite lavenders for Spring 2013.

Ok well I know the Butter nail polish isn’t just lavender but aren’t they quite lovely? 
I’m in love with this ruffled lavender and pink Nina Ricci Floral Print Chiffon Dress, however over price and out of my budget (and not made in my size) it may be…
Here are two really cute, breezy lavender dresses from Urban Outfitters here and here.  Much more affordable and perfect for spring. 
Speaking of shades of lavender, have you noticed my blog design update?  Well about a month and a half ago I decided to completely change and overhaul my blog.  I’m kind of an eclectic person by nature which allows for me to have a wide array of interests.  It does however, lead to a lot of impulse shopping and indecisiveness on colors and layouts for my blog.  The first version of the current blog design you see right now was very similar but there were tons of colors, lots of fonts and just too much going on.  I am a sucker for fonts and I had like 5 different ones going on and though alone they were all lovely, together it just didn’t work.  Anyhow, the last few days I felt the need to simplify so I replaced the contrasting colors and too many fonts with a white/gray/deep lavender color combination and a few fonts that I think work well together.  I also put a gray filter on a lot of the sidebar buttons and links so the focus is kept on the content and on my sponsors.  I hope you like it.

Happy Spring to all of you and may you have a wonderful and lovely weekend wherever you are!

Aloha,

http://dlvr.it/3DSpNV

Beauty Inspiration: 6 Perfect New Polishes For Your Fresh Spring Pedicure!

I saw this post when I was browsing through the web tonight.  I love me some Glamour Magazine and as my mani/pedi is looking rather worse for the wear lately, I’ve been searching for some pretty colors to adorn my hands and feet.   I’m rather loving the lavender color of #1 and the fresh, minty green of #6. Which of these are your favorites?  Do you have any spring nail trends and tips you’d like to share? 
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via Glamour.com
Here in New York City, there are two rituals that signify that spring has officially arrived: sipping a frozen margarita with the girls at a sidewalk-side restaurant table (OK, a rocks margarita counts too) and getting your first fun pedicure of the season. In honor of that second tradition, allow me to present six intriguing new nail polish colors you might pick for YOUR first big pedicure of spring 2013. 1. Nicole by OPI “Love Song”—muted purple
2. Zoya “Arizona”—a delicious orange (the color isn’t brand-new for spring, but this mini “Cutie” version with polka-dot bottle is!)
3. Chanel “Emprise”—try pale peach instead of predictable pink
4. Jin Soon “Blue Iris” —that _perfect_ blue Beth modeled for us (on her perfect feet) recently
5. OPI “My Paprika Is Hotter Than Yours”—your sassy new coral red
6. Essie “First Timer” —fresh springy green
What pedicure color are YOU craving this spring? Is there a new shade you’re itching to try after a long winter? Share below!

Photos: OPI, Zoya, Chanel, Beth Shapouri, OPI

Are you liking any of these polishes? 

Thank you for spending a few with me!

Aloha,

http://dlvr.it/3DFPSy

Guest Post: 10 Skincare Tips Everyone Should Be Following

When Isabella contacted me asking if she could create some content for What Jean Likes in the form of a guest post, I was more than open to the idea.  She came up with a post that she thought my readers would find helpful and more importantly, love…  And voila!   I give you 10 skincare tips everyone should be following.. because prevention is better than correction and who doesn’t love a great beauty tip or two…or ten? 

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Some women will do virtually anything to look young and beautiful, from spending all their time in the gym to undergoing cosmetic surgery. However, those on a quest for beauty often forget one important thing – to look after their skin. Here are the essentials that everyone should be doing to take care of their skin:
1.       Adjust your diet. Improving the appearance and health of your skin starts with adjusting your diet. You should be aiming to eat anti-inflammatory foods which contain plenty of anti-oxidants, with key examples being salads, salmon, olive oil, blueberries, avocados and lots of bright red and green vegetables.
2.       Avoid harsh cleansers and skincare products. If you have sensitive skin, treat it sensitively by avoiding astringent, overly chemical products and going for more natural, skin-kind products instead.
3.       Find the right moisturiser for you. Everyone has a different skin type, and some products may be more suitable for your skin type than others. Do some research to find a moisturiser which suits your skin.
4.       Don’t smoke. Smoking is hugely damaging and ageing for the skin, as well as being terrible for your health.
5.       Get plenty of sleep. If you’ve only caught a few hours’ sleep, your skin will be the first to tattle on you. It is likely to be dry and irritated, whereas those who have got their full eight hours will have smooth, supple and glowing skin.
6.       Drink plenty of water. Drinking at least eight glasses of water a day is not only good for your overall health; it’s great for your skin. It is believed that drinking lots of water flushes out toxins, which can help to clear your skin.
7.       Stay out of the sun. The sun’s UV rays can be hugely damaging to the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as wrinkles and sun spots. A tan might look good now, but you’ll pay for it when you’re older. Particularly affected regions include the neck and chest, which no amount of breast enhancement surgery can fix.
8.       Find a skincare routine that suits you. If you set yourself the challenge of a 10-step skincare routine to follow every morning and night, you’ll never stick to it. Instead, find something simpler than you can fit into your daily routine.
9.       Look after your skin when you travel. Travelling can take its toll on your skin, leaving it dry and irritated. Always take a handy tube of moisturiser with you when you travel.
10.   Always, always take off your makeup before bed. Leaving it on can cause blocked pores and spots, as well as signs of premature ageing, so always remove your make-up even if it’s just with a face wipe.

About the Author

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Isabella Franklin has been a beauty writer since University, and loves to write about all aspects of natural and cosmetic beauty. Got a question for Bella? Catch up with her over on Twitter at @Cosmetic_Bella 

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http://dlvr.it/3CgS9s

Marc Jacobs Launching Honey Scent

I’m not quite sure if this will be a wonderful thing or an overly sweet (in a sickening way) thing… regardless, I usually like perfumes created by Marc Jacobs and am excited to go smell it in person.

Via WWD:
HI HONEY: With advertising shot by Juergen Teller and a snappy recolored bottle, Marc Jacobs’ Dot, launched in August 2012, is getting a buzzy little flanker. Called Honey, the fragrance, created by Jacobs and Ann Gottliebwith Firmenich’s Annie Buzantian, has top notes of pear, fruity punch and juicy mandarin; a heart of orange blossom, peach nectar and honeysuckle, and a drydown of honey, golden vanilla and smooth woods. It’s due in wide distribution from Coty Prestige in August, launching just before the designer’s color cosmetics collection with Sephora, which is coming in September. Ads will feature a hero shot of the reimagined Dot bottle. Eaux de parfum in three sizes — $50 for 1 oz.; $71 for 1.7 oz., and $92 for 3.4 oz.— will be offered, as will a 5-oz. body lotion, $45, and a 5-oz. shower gel, $40.
Will you be buying it or checking it out?  Are you excited for this launch?  I’m more excited about his color cosmetics launch at Sephora that’s mentioned in post. What are some of your upcoming new product launches that you’re excited for?

Aloha,

http://dlvr.it/3CTRTR