Holiday Gifting! Who Says You Have to Break The Bank?

     As a child with seven.... yes, seven brothers and sisters, my mother showed herself to be the best business woman the world had ever seen. I know her intentions weren't to teach me her strategies, however, that's exactly what happened. Many people would come to her for advice on how to make their "money work."  The most memorable moment that will never be erased was when she and I were at the grocery store shopping for the family. I was about 9 years old and she was focused on putting products in her basket after reading a list she had written in conjunction to an envelope of coupons she had organize prior to our supermarket adventure. One could only feel like a contestant from SuperMarket Sweepstakes that I had seen several times on the television. She would take me with her on her shopping excursions only to tell me how much money she had saved. Mom would give me the retail price and then her amazing discounted price from all the deals she utilized. It was amazing to me to see how she would always beat the retailers and have the upperhand by going home with a price lower than the retail value!
     As we approached the cashier that day, I knew it would be another exciting experience since my mother began to get pumped up on how much she would save this time. I began unloading the shopping card that was piled high and stocked with food and goods for our family of ten. The amount began flashing on the screen next to the cashier as the products rolled passed her.... $100..$120..$200...$260...$297...$300! I knew my mom didn't carry that much money with her and started to feel embarrassed. I thought to myself, "She is going to have to put things back and everyone will see her." Boy, what a mortifying moment! My mother just smiled, and begin to hand the cashier coupon, after coupon, after coupon. Double minus, triple minuses were coming off the price. -$50, -$82, -$170! My eyes started getting bigger and bigger! "Omg! This is crazy! How is she doing this?!" People began to look over to my mother's isle as even the cashier became excited has my mother passed her coupon after coupon! Then something unreal happened.... "Are you serious?! This can't be happening" I thought. My mother's amount was at $0 for the amount she would pay, and then started to show an amount that the cashier would have to give her! $.50, $1.00, $5.00, $8.00! The people were cheering! "That's unbelieveable!" A woman shouted. "You go girl!" Someone else cried. "Wow!!!" The cashier yelled. I was so proud! My mother,... yes my mentor, my awesome shopping buddy hadn't paid a dime for all the products she was taking home. In addition, they were paying her to shop there.

Now that's Bargain Shopping!

This story goes is a prime example to get what you want AND shop smart. Keep as much money as possible in your pocket! Now that you're into my tips for shopping for the holidays! Here are some sites where you can save money and still give great gifts that your friends and family with love!

Ideeli.com
Hautelook.com
Goldstar.com
JuiceInTheCity.com
LivingSocial.com
DailySteals.com
Groupon.com
BeyondtheRack.com

Great Gift Giving Ideas
Massages
Mani/Pedi
Movie Ticket PackagesJewelry
Food
Restaurants
Gift Cards
Cosmetics
Hair Products
Salon Services
Live Shows & Entertainment Discount Tickets.... etc

Happy Shopping & Merry Christmas!

 

Makeup Brush Cleaning

I know that many of us need help in this area! So I did some reasearch and alot of the tips makes sense. For those makeup artist that are on the move during prom, wedding season, etc... These tips will keep your brushes lasting longer and in the best shape for the best application possible!

Cleaning Tips

#1 Real Hair Brushes-Wash and condition your brushes with what you would use to clean your hair with! Shampoo and Conditioner
#2 Synthetic Brushes- Shampoo and Condition then spray a brush conditioner on the bristels
#3 Wash them and while wet squeeze access water while the brush is in a horizontal position
#4 Allow them to dry in a horizontal position (NOT vertical); standing your brushes up to dry causes the water to run down the base of the brush and loosens the glue
#5 Shape your brushes while wet to keep straight long bristels
#6 Use them when they are completely dry
#7 Use a brush condiditoner to keep them clean between cleanings


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Twitter: @Ladyfykes2
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Thanks for tuning in and please leave a comment of more tips or things that perhaps helped along the way!
Much love!

Using a brush conditioner allows me to do clean and sterile makeup applications one after the other at a sorority fashion show in Los Angeles.

Here's a great link for a great professional product to shape and dry your brushes!

Brush Shape & Dry by SIGMA

Created in His Image

You are so beautiful! It is a dawn of a new day and you want to try some new things before new years! Well start with a new lip color or eye shadow/liner...Holiday style! For those of you who desire a greater challenge... do new hair style to kick off the season and bring a sizzle to the campfire. :)
Whatever you do, just have fun with it! Go to the makeup counter and take a magazine pic of something you want to duplicate. It's always harder to describe when you don't have the words in the first place!
Just have fun with it and have the confidence to go with it! Confidence will be your important piece to any ensemble or beauty secret! Keep it on and going! Love you and others with see results automatically by the energy you excude. Make the holiday and don't let the holiday make you.

Stay beautiful ladies!

Beauty Tips for Moms

Hi Moms! Here are just some tips for looking great and still being the mom on the go! We don't want to look like we just rolled out of bed with a face that no one wants to see! Take a look at some of the fast ways I have altered my Fab AM look! Just replace your regimen with multi-tasked items... USE Facial Cleansing Cloths INSTEAD of Creamy Cleanser USE Tinted Moisturizer w/SPF INSTEAD of a Moisturizer (w/SPF) & Foundation (w/SPF) USE Lipstick/Gloss Dual Stick INSTEAD of Lip Liner, Lipstick, & Gloss USE Travel Compact w/Day/Night Shadows and a Blush INSTEAD of your cosmetic counter at home Hope that helps you! Stay Pretti! Please visit me on Facebook & Twitter

Bantu Knot Out

I've been doing this technique for years and simply love it!

New Baby...New Body .... New Year... New Me!

So this is why I've been off my blog so long...

Natural Lights

Here's a look that I did for a contest that's one of my favorite! What's yours? Let me know if you want the products to accomplish this look!