Tag: Health

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Gift Guide Holiday 2015

MuffinChanel Holiday Gift Guide 2015.This post may contain affiliate links; all opinions are my own. See Disclosures here

Hello December!

Here is my Gift Guide Holiday 2015 with prices ranging from $6 to $96. These gifts are obviously things that I would love to receive, but also gifts that many people in your life would probably like to receive as well.

MuffinChanel Holiday Gift Guide 2015

  1. Tea Infuser
    • I’ve been loving loose leaf tea vs. tea bag tea. Better flavor and “more health benefits”… I love all the cute tea infusers too; this one is like a tea wand. ~$7.
  2. iPhone 6s case
    • This phone case has a double barrier, plastic casing with water and glitter in between. Yes, glitter! It’s so pretty and sparkly. ~$13.
  3. Josie Maran – Argan Oil
    • Obviously, Josie is on my list. Especially in the winter time, this argan oil is so hydrating and amazing with multiple uses — a little goes a long way. $96.
  4. Yarn
    • Knitting is such a fun, and relaxing hobby. I love knitting (still working on that blanket!) and these colors are so bright and soft. ~$6.
  5. Starbucks Tumbler – Venti
    • A good tumbler is a must-have for me. It really encourages me to drink water throughout the day and you can get new lids/straws to keep your tumbler fresh and exciting. ~$17.
  6. Creme De Rose – Dior Lip Balm
    • This lip balm is so smooth but not sticky. Its hydrating and luxurious. I like to wear it at night as a “mask” and when I wake up, my lips are soft and revitalized. I love this during the winter time. $28.
  7. NEST Fragrances – Bamboo Reed Diffuser
    • These NEST Fragrances are great for the home. I love how rich the oils are; the scent really permeates throughout the entire house. $42.
  8. FlowerBomb – Viktor & Rolf
    • My favorite fragrance! I think this will be my signature scent forever; it’s very floral and delicious. Get a small size as a gift for your sister or bestie. $50.
  9. Anastasia Beverly Hills – Brow Wiz (Ebony)
    • I love the Brow Wiz. It really helps me shape and define my eyebrows. I love the texture of the pencil and the spoolie at the other end lets me blend everything together for a natural, defined look. ~$23.
  10. Golden Wonder Bath Bomb – LUSH
    • This lovely bath bomb makes your bath into a swirling, shimmering gold sea of warm unicorn magic. I love it. It’s perfect. Yes. $7.
  11. Essie – A List
    • Super pretty red nail polish for the holidays. Nice stocking stuffer or a filler gift for your friends or yourself! $8.50.
  12. Doctor Who – Season 8
    • I love Doctor Who. If you or your friend does too, give this DVD set or even just gift them on iTunes. *hums Doctor Who theme song* ~$55.

muffinchanel erin condren gift wrap guide

Don’t forget to wrap all of your gifts in Erin Condren gift wrap! The designer wrapping paper and labels all coordinate to make your gifts look extra special. Plus, get $10 off your Erin Condren purchase by creating an account through my link. Happy Holidays!

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Blog Health + Beauty

4 Tips for Staying Healthy at Work

muffinchanel 4 tips for staying healthy at workThis post may contain affiliate links; all opinions are my own. See Disclosures here

It can be difficult to incorporate your New Year’s resolutions to be healthy while at work. These 4 tips will help you to stay healthy at work and help you to take care of your body so you can stay on track with your personal goals.

  • Drink Water – It’s important to remember to drink water throughout the day. Water is so important for your body to stay healthy. Plus, staying hydrated can help brain function, which is obviously important at work & your skin will thank you. Avoid sugary drinks like soda — ditch that daily Pepsi and your body will thank you. Invest in a BPA Free water bottle to make drinking water more exciting and convenient.
  • Sit Up Straight – Maintaining good posture is key when working at a desk all day. Engage your abdominal muscles and keep your feet flat on the floor. Good posture will keep your body in alignment and cause less stress on your joints. It can also be a little bit of an ab workout too if you aren’t used to engaging your core muscles!
  • Make a Lunch – It can be tempting or convenient to buy your lunch everyday, but if you take a little extra time in the morning or the night before, you can make a healthy, nutritious lunch. With a healthy lunch ready to go, you won’t make that impulse purchase at Jack In The Box because you’re having a stressful day and you will save a lot of money!
  • Go For a Walk – Getting up and going for a 10 minute walk will help you feel better and more alert. Every step is more calories burned! I’m tracking my steps with my FitBit Flex, but I’m curious about the new FitBit Charge HR which has a heart rate monitor!

What are your tips for staying healthy at work? What do you think about the new FitBit line?

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Blog Lifestyle

Getting Ready for a Special Event

This post may contain affiliate links; all opinions are my own. See Disclosures here

When you have a special event to attend, whether it be a birthday party, a graduation, a school dance, a wedding, or just a big date, you want to look your best.

Big Event Countdown!

1 month:

  • If you aren’t already, get into some kind of fitness routine. Exercise will help you feel healthy and energized. Nothing gives you that radiant glow like a healthy body, so go for a walk everyday or step it up and play a sport or go for a run. When your body is more fit and healthy, you’ll feel and look your best.
  • Diet is key to looking and feeling great from the inside out. Be sure to get your fair share of fruits and vegetables, or try a fun juice cleanse! Don’t forget to drink plenty of water and avoid processed foods.

2 weeks:

This is the time to knock out some of the easy things!

  • Hair cut/color – If you’re in need of a cut or a trim, now is the time to do it. Freshly cut hair can sometimes look too harsh or you may not be used to styling it. Getting your cut or color done two weeks before the big day gives you time to get used to/fix your lovely locks.
  • Plan your hair and makeup look. Don’t wait until the last minute; try out hairstyles and makeup looks that you’re curious about. Will you have your make up professionally done? You still will want to know the overall type of look you want. Practice makes perfect, so experiment and have fun. Once you have the look you love, take a picture. You will want to refer to it leading up to your big day.
  • Plan your outfit! Just like with your hair, make sure you have your entire outfit ready (accessories included); if not, now is a good time to grab a friend and get some inspiration from your favorite store (or even you friend’s closet).

1 week

Getting so close to the event! So exciting!

  • Eyebrow waxing! If you’ve never gotten your eyebrows waxed at a Benefit Brow Bar, I definitely recommend it. Waxing your eyebrows professionally will ensure the perfect shape for your face and help define your features. If you have any redness or bumps, it’ll have gone by the big day.
  • Face masks will help exfoliate the skin and even skin tone. Try the GlamGlow SuperMud or TingleExfoliate for amazing results. Repeat every few days for super glowy skin.
  • Finalize your outfit, hair, and makeup. Make sure you have everything you need to walk out the door to your special event.
  • Deep-condition your hair. Using a 5 minute hair mask can help your hair feel soft and look shiny.
  • Lips scrub & condition your lips. I love the Fresh Sugar Scrub with the Dior Creme de Rose lip balm.

2 days

  • Manicure/Pedicure. Freshly painted nails will really pull the look together. I like to get a pedicure at a salon because it’s super relaxing and I love the fun designs & colors to choose from but I usually like to do my manicure with my Sephora Gel Shine kit. French manicures are my go-to for any special event.
  • Teeth whitening is an easy way to brighten your look. I really like the Crest whitening strips because they are quick and do a great job brightening your smile.
  • Biore pore strips can help to remove stubborn blackheads and reduce pore appearance. I like to exfoliate and then wash like usual with my Clarisonic Mia before using the pore strips.

1 day

  • Face mask/ spot treatment. Target any blemishes with a soothing acne gel. I really like the Grease Lightening Cleanser from Lush. Or just dab on a small amount of any face mask onto troublesome spots.
  • Double check that you have everything you’ll need for the event; from head to toe.

The Big Day

  • Shave your legs and moisturize. Soft and smooth skin will help you feel great on the big day
  • Don’t forget the deodorant! The final stages of getting picture perfect for your special event can cause you to sweat and stress, but with a good deodorant/antipersperant, and least you’ll smell great and feel fresh.
  • Prep your skin. Primers and serums are your best friend. They’ll help your makeup stay put and keep your skin looking bright.
  • Use a makeup setting spray like the Urban Decay All Nighter. 
  • A splash of your favorite perfume is all you need before you walk out the door!

You’re all set for your special day! Let me know your tips for getting picture perfect for your big event in the comments or tag me in a picture on Instagram (@muffinchanel). I’d love to see all of your looks!

Categories
Blog Health + Beauty

GLAMGLOW YOUTHMUD | Review & SUPERMUD Comparison

This post may contain affiliate links; all opinions are my own. See Disclosures here

Packaging

Muffinchanel glamglow youthmud tingleexfoliate black jar review sephora mud mask 2




I got the GLAMGLOW YOUTHMUD (.5 oz) as part of a gift set from Sephora. The kit came with the white jar SUPERMUD (1.2 oz.) in a pink/blue “reversible” gift box for $69. The kit is a good value because a 1.7 oz. size of either the YOUTHMUD or a 1.2 oz. size of the SUPERMUD alone would cost $69.  Still, 70 bucks is a lot to pay for a face mask. The packaging probably has something to do with the price — that Gift Sexy packaging is quite clever and the actual mask jars are weighty and substantial feeling. The YOUTHMUD jar was sealed with a foil seal (unlike the SUPERMUD).

YOUTHMUD
Muffinchanel glamglow youthmud tingleexfoliate black jar review sephora mud mask

The mud is a light brownish color with a few chunky bits here and there. The scent was subtle and clean/minty smelling; I actually liked it a lot.

Application

I applied the mask with a flat foundation brush. The mud is not too thick, but does have chunks of leaves and other ingredients in it. I sort of painted it all over my face, avoiding my eye area. The product spreads easily without being runny or super thick. I did apply the mask to my entire face, but you could also just use it as a spot treatment. With the .5oz. size, I estimate that I will get 1-2 more full face uses out of the GLAMGLOW YOUTHMUD.

Wear

I had read that this mask is “extremely” tingly/stingy. All the reviews I’d read recommend not using the mask if you had been tanning or using a retinol recently as it might make your skin extra sensitive and cause a rash/breakout. The mask was slightly tingly about a minute after I applied it & that feeling lasted a couple minutes. It wasn’t uncomfortable at all. I let the mask dry for about 30 minutes and it dried to a smooth, light grey color. The mask felt slightly tight and there were visible chunks of leaf all over.

Removal

To remove the mask, I splashed a little bit of water on my face to loosen it up and get rid of that tight feeling. I then softly rubbed my face in small circular motions. The mask has very fine, sand-like particles inside that worked to exfoliate and remove any dull/dry skin.  The mask was easy to remove in warm water and then I patted my face dry with a towel.

Results

I quite like this mask a lot. I didn’t experience extreme stinging/tingling/burning like I’d heard, the smell was pleasant, and the fine exfoliating particles left my skin feeling soft and smooth. My skin was glowing and had a nice, rosy (not irritated) flush look. My skin felt only slightly tight/dry after but I felt that it really prepped my skin to absorb my serums and nighttime treatments.

Comparison

If you haven’t read my full review on the SUPERMUD, you can check it out HERE.




This will be a quick side-by side comparison between these two masks:

MuffinChanel comparison supermud youthmud glamglow mud masks

Both masks are great and I think they work well together. If I had to choose only one, I’d get the GLAMGLOW YOUTHMUD in the black jar because I like the exfoliation and it’s a better value.

What do you think of the GLAMGLOW mud masks? Which is your favorite?

Categories
Blog Health + Beauty

Teeth Whitening with Pearl Ionic Teeth Whitening System

muffinchanel pearl iconic whiteningThis post may contain affiliate links; all opinions are my own. See Disclosures here

The Pearl system is unlike any other teeth whitening kits I’ve seen. The kit comes with the Pearl ionic handheld whitening unit and lots of individual tubes of whitening gel.

muffinchanel pearl iconic whiteningWhat makes this unique from other at-home whitening kits is the ionic whitening device — which won’t even activate unless you disperse the whitening gel evenly so all the contacts are fully coated

muffinchanel pearl iconic whiteningAccording to the website, your teeth can get up to 10 shades whiter, by using the device twice a day for only 5 minutes at a time. Ten minutes a day is definitely worth it to achieve a whiter smile.

Compared to Crest whitening strips, this system seems to give faster results, but also seems to get deep down into the crevices that Crest whitening strips may not reach.

The system is quite expensive at $195, but for a “professional” teeth whitening at home the price is worth it. There are additional tubes of the whitening gel sold separately for $50, so if you continue using the device, the cost isn’t that great.

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Blog Lifestyle

Juicing! With the Jack LaLanne Juicer

This post may contain affiliate links; all opinions are my own. See Disclosures here

I decided to start using my Jack LaLanne Juicer again and I don’t know why I ever put it away.

muffinchanel juicing

Very easy to use and easy to clean. I made carrot and apple juice today! Delicious!

muffinchanel juicing jack lalainLet me know if you have any recipes; I’m excited to try out new combinations!

Categories
Blog Health + Beauty

Night Time Skin Care Routine

This post may contain affiliate links; all opinions are my own. See Disclosures here

The Clarisonic Mia is my favorite skincare tool! I love it. The Mia is perfect for travel and everyday use because of its size — it’s Clarisonic’s smallest skin cleansing system. The Mia runs for one minute on one setting. I’ll use it twice — once for my face and once for my neck & décolleté.

bluemiamed-new2I use my Clarisonic with Philosophy’s Purity Made Simple cleanser. This cleanser is so gentle, yet it is strong enough to remove all of my makeup. With purity and the Clarisonic, I know I am removing all of the impurities from my skin.

s407304-main-heroAfter my skin is clean, I’ll apply Lancome’s Advanced Génifique serum.  3605533117217_1-7oz_advancedgenifiqueI love this because it absorbs quickly into my face, neck and décolleté. My skin looks youthful and radiant after using this serum and I feel that it preps my face well for the final step to my night time skin care routine, Lancome’s Visionnaire 

screen-shot-2013-05-27-at-1-44-46-pmThis cream has a pleasant smell and is essentially, a skin corrector. It fixes visible pores, wrinkles, discoloration, and makes your skin feel soft and healthy.

See my UPDATED night time skin care routine here. 🙂