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Tuesday, August 24, 2021

MP Magic | Egyptian Cotton Waffle Bath Towel Review

Disclosure: MP Magic sent me their Egyptian Cotton Waffle Bath Towels for review. All opinions are 100% my own. 

PR Sample: Hey Everybody! PR for MP Magic reached out to me and asked if I would like to try their NEW MP Magic Egyptian Cotton Waffle Bath Towels. I said, most definitely! My two favorite rooms in my home are my bedroom and bathroom. I enjoy pampering myself. You may be asking yourself, who is MP Magic? I know I did! Let me give you a little background information. They started in 2017 through crowdfunding, with their first product MP Magic Socks. They have since branched out into bedding (MP Magic Egyptian Cotton Sateen Sheets) and bathing (MP Magic Egyptian Cotton Towels). Their MP Magic Egyptian Cotton Waffle Bath Towels are one of their newest products.

Not all waffle towels are made equally. What's been your experience with waffle towels? I've had some good ones and lots of bad ones. My main complaint with waffle towels is heaviness and stiffness. I'm happy to say that is NOT the case with MP Magic Egyptian Cotton Waffle Bath Towels. They are super soft (feel great) and extremely lightweight.

What are MP Magic Egyptian Cotton Waffle Bath Towels made of? They are made of 100% Egyptian Cotton. MP Magic uses Giza 86. What is Giza cotton, you may be asking? It's the best and most expensive cotton in the world. I challenge you to do a search. I did. It will tell you about the excellent quality of Giza cotton and its various grades. 

Are these towels durable? Yes. They are made extremely well and are of excellent quality. MP Magic uses the most advanced knitting technique compared to standard towel manufacturing processes. They show this technique in their crowdfunding campaign (linked above). With the combination of high quality fabric, high tech manufacturing, and knit design, MP Magic has made a winner of a towel. You want an excellent quality towel to have for years to come.

What about absorbency? The purpose of a towel is to absorb water. As you know, not all towels do this effectively. Have you ever looked for a 'dry spot' on a towel to dry yourself off? I have. HaHaHa You won't be looking for a 'dry spot' on these towels. They did an excellent job absorbing water and drying me off. Not only are they ultra-absorbent, but they are fast-drying and super-soft as well. It makes for a great combination!

Some other things to consider. Size. I love the size of this towel! I'm 6'0" and do you see how easily this towel wrapped around me? Do you see how easily it ties in the front? And may I add ... CUTE! None of my other towels do this! The MP Magic measures 59x31 inches (150cmx79cm) and weighs just 530 grams. These bath towels are certified with 100% Egyptian cotton by Oeko-Tex. That means they are completely free of harmful substances with quality assured. Because MP Magic uses a long staple cotton, there is no fraying, breaking or separating. Overall, I was thoroughly impressed with MP Magic's Egyptian Cotton Waffle Bath Towel. I know you will love them as well as I do.

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Monday, August 23, 2021

Effective Techniques To Determine Your Hair Type

Knowing your hair type makes it much easier to choose the right products and keep your hair looking fantastic. That means you need to know how to decide your hair type, fortunately this is easier than you thought.

However, before you start, it is worth noting that quality products, such as the Kerastase range, are designed with natural ingredients and have different hair care products to suit every type of hair. It is preferable to spend a little more and look after your hair.

Image Source: Pixabay

There are several factors that dictate the type of hair you have:

Density

The density is the number of strands of hair you have on your head. The more you have per square cm the more dense your hair. It is important to note that this is not the same as thin or dense hair, this is just the amount of hair you have on your head. 

Thin

Look in the mirror or get someone to look at your hair from above. If it is easy to see your scalp you have thin or low density hair.

Medium

When you look at your hair if it is possible to see glimpses of your scalp you have medium density hair.

Thick

Unsurprisingly, if you can’t see your scalp at all then you have dense hair.

Thickness

This is what most people think about when you mention hair type. You can have thin, medium, or thick hair. It is possible to measure it with a laser pointer, but just feeling it should be enough.

Thin

Hold a strand of hair in your hand. If it is difficult to feel or is so thin that you can barely see it, you have thin hair.

Medium

Being able to feel the strand means you have medium hair.

Thick

Finally, if it feels like a lump in your hand, perhaps more like fishing line diameter, you have thick hair.

Level Of Porosity

The more porous your hair is the harder it will be for it to retain water. This means that you’ll suffer from dry hair which can be easily damaged.

Hair with high porosity is good at retaining water but more likely to look greasy.

To tell the porosity of your hair place one hair in a glass of water. If it sinks to the bottom you have high porosity. Should your hair float the porosity is low while medium porosity means it sinks slowly to roughly halfway down the glass.

Ability To Hold Grease

The grease level of your hair tells you how often you need to wash your hair. Greasy hair needs washing 4-5 times a week while dry hair is more likely to need washing 1-2 times with a hydrating product. Normal hair should be okay with 1-2 washes a week.

To check how greasy your hair is place a dry tissue on your hair for a few seconds. If there is a visible oil patch its greasy. No oil means dry while a trace of oil is normal hair.

When In Doubt…

Still not entirely sure about your hair type? Your best option may be to ask a professional hairdresser who can assess the nature of your hair. They will usually be able to recommend hairstyles, products and haircare tips based on this. Look for a hair salon near you and consider seeking some advice.

Final Thoughts

Knowing the type of hair you have will help you to choose the best products for your hair. However, regardless of hair type, it is always preferable to go with natural products.

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Tuesday, August 17, 2021

How Much Does A Party Bus Cost Per Hour?

Party buses are an excellent way to take the town by storm. From weddings and birthdays to hen parties and business outings, these vehicles will provide a truly unforgettable experience. Of course, there are several important factors which need to be taken into account before and during the reservation process. The type of transportation, the number of guests who can be accommodated and on-board amenities are some prime examples. Price is another real concern if you do not wish to exceed a specific budget. So, what can you expect to pay per hour? Let us take a look at some issues that will ultimately impact the price of a party bus.

 Image Source: Pexels

The Time of the Year

Party bus prices can be impacted by the time of the year. As these vehicles tend to be in higher demand during the spring and summer, their costs may be slightly higher.

The Type of Vehicle

As this article notes, some types of transportation may be more expensive than others. This often depends upon the size of the vehicle as well as how many occupants can be handled at any given time. So, those who are looking to save money could be wise to choose a smaller unit.

The Distance Being Travelled

Some party bus services charge by distance and time. This is similar to how a typical taxi meter functions. This may be ideal if you are only planning on a local excursion, as the associated rates will be lower. Be sure to ask the provider in question about how they calculate any ongoing fees during transit (if applicable).

The Number of Stops

Well-known firms such as the Bergenlimo NY party bus rental company have become famous for their knowledge of the best spots to visit. So, it only stands to reason that the number of stops may be taken into account when determining the price per hour. The duration of each stop could also play a factor in terms of cost.

On-Board Services

Some party buses are equipped with a plethora of creature comforts. Flat-screen televisions, minibars, leather seats, and wireless Internet are some common examples. Of course, vehicles which offer these and similar services will normally charge more per hour.

Putting it All Together

We have now taken a look at some of the most important factors that can determine the price of a party bus. Having said this, industry experts estimate that the price of an average party bus equates to between $100 and $170 dollars per hour. However, we should note that this is only a rough estimate. Costs can vary between different companies and locations. This is why it is a good idea to work with reputable transportation providers in order to enjoy a fully transparent experience.

Are you curious to learn more about party bus rates? Do you have a question in regards to what vehicles are available? If so, please take a moment to find out more.

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Monday, August 16, 2021

Too Faced | Teddy Bare Collection Review And Swatches

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I get commission for purchases or clicks made through links in this post.

Not Sponsored: If there's one thing about Too Faced Cosmetics, they always come out with the cutest packaging. It suckers me in all most of the time. Their Teddy Bare Collection, came out earlier this year for Spring/Summer 2021. I loved stuffed teddy bears as a child. I had an assortment of both sizes and colors. So, this collection appealed to my inner youth. The packaging displays the cutest brown bear with round eyes, heart-shaped nose and Too Faced logo on his round belly. And I love the color combination of the packaging ... brown and gold. To me, it looks chocolate-y! I'm always thinking about food. LOL The lip injection has the cutest teddy bears scattered on the wand. As usual with Too Faced, the packaging gets an A+. So what are my thoughts on the makeup itself? I purchased all three (3) items from the collection: Teddy Bare Bare It All Eye Shadow Palette (also here), Teddy Bare Bare It All Bronzer (also here) and Lip Injection Extreme Lip Plumping Gloss in Bee Sting (also here). Below are my thoughts on each one. 

Sweet-Bittersweet-NotSweet
supersweet(run & buy it) sweet(really good,buy it) bittersweet(ok, issues)not sweet(not good,don't buy this stuff) 
  The Too Faced Teddy Bare Collection is Bittersweet
 

Too Faced | Teddy Bare Bare It All Eye Shadow Palette

The Too Faced Teddy Bare, Bare It All Eye Shadow Palette contains 14 shades of eye shadows. The names are really cute. Top Row: The Snuggle Is Real, Fur Real, Teddy Bear, Pot of Honey, Embareassed, Lace Teddy, Boop. Bottom Row: Bare It All, Mama Bear, Gild A Bare, Fuzzy Wuzzy, Press Paws, Stuffed, Sharing Is Caring. The shades are fairly neutral in scheme. You have an assortment of beiges, browns, golds, bronzes and such. As you can see below, all of the colors swatched really well on the back of my hand. There were no problems there. My only gripe were the metallic shades. They're very "chunky". When applying them to my eyes, there was a lot of fallout that I had to wipe away. For the look below, I used The Snuggle Is Real from lid to brow. I then used Teddy Bear from lid to crease. In my crease, I applied Mama Bear. I lined my eyes with Boop. I love using eye shadows as eye liner. I then pressed Fur Real on my eye lids and inner corner of my eyes. I used Sharing Is Caring (teddy bear face) as a BLUSH. Overall, I felt everything looked ok. I wasn't jumping up and down excited, like I was when I used my Natasha Denona Biba Eye Shadow Palette (which to me creates a softer neutral look). I love that palette! I haven't purchased Too Faced makeup in years (since 2019) and honestly, I think I'm growing out of the brand. That can happen! It's a FUN brand, but over the past several years I've bought it more for the packaging than the makeup.



Too Faced | Teddy Bare Bare It All Bronzer

I have quite the Too Faced Bronzer Collection (here, here, here, here, here). Some I LOVE and others I don't. So what about Teddy Bare, Bare It All Bronzer? Well, if you look at the swatch of it on my wrist, it's a shimmery bronze and gold. To me, it seems more like a HIGHLIGHTER. I don't want anything shimmery all over my face. So I applied it as a HIGHLIGHTER to the bridge of my nose, atop my cheeks and cupids bow. It's a soft shimmer. Again, OK but nothing where you have to HAVE IT. You probably have something similar in your makeup collection. I just love the packaging.

Too Faced | Lip Injection Extreme Lip Plumping Gloss Bee Sting

The first time I tried Too Faced's Lip Injection, I promised NEVER to purchase it again. It stung my lips so badly. No adverse reaction, but I didn't like the way it made my lips feel. Very unpleasant. Well again, I fell for the cute teddy bears. Well Too Faced has toned the stinging part down. Its not as intense. It does plump up your lips and has a wonderful candy scent, but I was disappointed that this gloss didn't give off more color (brown/bronze). It's very CLEAR. I will say, it doesn't feel sticky. It feels very good on the lips and is moisturizing. I just wished it had more "color" (brown, bronze etc) to accent the eye look. I would use a different kind of lip gloss to accentuate this eye look.

So you guys, those are my honest thoughts regarding the Too Faced Teddy Bare Collection. 

I hope this review helps you in your decision-making.


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Thursday, August 12, 2021

Virgil's Zero Sugar & Handcrafted Craft Soda Root Beer Review

Disclosure: I received Virgil's Root Beer for review. I was not paid. All opinions are honest and 100% my own.

PR Sample: I've loved root beer, since I was a little girl. I've always been a fan of the drink. So when PR for Virgil's Zero Sugar & Handcrafted Craft Sodas asked if I would like to try Virgil's Root Beer, I said, Yes! Please send me some samples! I've never heard of Virgil's, so let me share a little background information about them. They don't like fake anything! Their products contain no artificial preservatives, no aspartame, no high-fructose corn syrup, no GMOs, no MSG, but are made from naturally sourced ingredients. In addition, their sodas are gluten free, kosher certified, vegan, certified ketogenic, and even their aluminum cans have a BPA-Ni lining. All of this is fine and dandy, but I know you're wondering how does their root beer taste? It tastes really good. It's light. It's smooth. It has a nice foam to it when you pour it. Nice bubbles. Overall, it just has a really good taste. What's also great, is their products have a 1-2 year shelf life. Another thing I love about root beer! Root beer floats! I scooped several scoops of ice cream in the glass below, poured some root beer, swirled on some whipped cream and drizzled some chocolate syrup atop it. So tasty! So good you guys! You should try making one of Virgil's Recipes. Virgil's not only makes root beer, but an assortment of drinks such as Grapefruit, Dr. Better (wink wink ... get it?), Ginger Ale, Vanilla Cream, Black Cherry, Lemon Lime, Cola, Orange Cream, and Orange. So there is a flavor for everybody. Give Virgil's a go! Use their store locator, order online (via their website) or order on Amazon. I'm impressed with their products and definitely want to try more flavors.


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Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Patrick Starrr | Secure The Blur Primer Review

Not Sponsored: Over the years, I've tried various primers. I have my favorites: Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base, REN Perfect Canvas, and all the Smashbox primers (including the oil). But when it comes down to BLURRING, I've always reverted back to The Original Smashbox Photo Finish Primer. I've been using it since 2013 guys! Since 2013! Well, a couple of months ago, I received a sample of Patrick Starrr's One Size Secure The Blur Primer via a Sephora order. I said, let me try it! I haven't kept up with beauty gurus in years. I was pleasantly surprised! So surprised, that I even tweeted how impressed I was with the product and that I would have to purchase the full size. Well, Sephora (if you put in a code) was giving deluxe sizes of this primer with your order. So I said, let me go ahead and get it. Well you guys, I really love this primer. Look at my hand below. I drew a line down the middle of it. I applied this primer to the right side. Do you see how smooth that side of my hand looks? I can't get over how much it blurs. Its absolutely amazing. If you have nothing to blur, use any primer. But I'm 49 and blurring is my friend! HaHaHa Give this a whirl you guys! I know you're going to love it! As you can see, I was very impressed. 

Sweet-Bittersweet-NotSweet
supersweet(run & buy it) sweet(really good,buy it) bittersweet(ok, issues)not sweet(not good,don't buy this stuff) 
  Patrick Starrr Secure The Blur Primer is Supersweet

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Sephora Collection: Refresh And Prep Lip Scrubber Review

Not Sponsored: I believe in taking care of my lips! I use a combination of lip scrubs, balms and treatments. I thought my lip regimen was complete, until I came across Sephora's Refresh and Prep Lip Scrubber. Instantly I said to myself, "That's what I need!". For the record (in the past), I would apply lip scrub to my lips (really work it in), let the lip scrub stay on my lips a bit (moisturize) and then wipe the lip scrub off my lips with a washcloth. Well ONE, I always had to do this at the beginning of bathing because after washing your entire body who would want to put their washcloth on their lips ... Ewwww! Secondly, lip scrub on your washcloth and then to use it to wash your body :( There just had to be a better way of working lip scrub into your lips. Using your fingers is ok, but I really wanted to give my lips a good scrub. I tried using a toothbrush, but it was way too rough. So, I saw this scrubber online at Sephora. I'm loving it you guys! It's double-sided!!! It's silicone!!! So easy to handle and use. And most of all effective. One side exfoliates (short/thin bristles). The other side massages (round bristles). Using this tool with my lip scrub makes my lip scrub even more effective. It really works the lip scrub into the lips and gently exfoliates them. You can use Sephora's Lip Scrubber on dry lips as well. I tried it and you can see the dead skin flakes on the brush head. So this is also a great travel tool. Want naturally plump lips and get the circulation (blood flowing) going in your lips? Use the round bristle side. I was very impressed with this lip scrubber and recommend it. So I just wanted to share my thoughts about it with you. 

Sweet-Bittersweet-NotSweet
supersweet(run & buy it) sweet(really good,buy it) bittersweet(ok, issues)not sweet(not good,don't buy this stuff) 
  Sephora Collection: Refresh And Prep Lip Scrubber is Sweet
 
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Wednesday, August 4, 2021

15 Best Hair Care Tips For Women

When it comes to beauty and style, the right hair care can provide you luscious and healthy locks. Although different types can require unique maintenance and styling needs, there are many hair care tips that are simply universally useful and effective. Whether you want to boost volume for a cute short hairstyle or grow out a longer style, it can be a challenge knowing how to care for your hair. To inspire your routine, we’ve compiled this guide on the best hair care tips for women.

Hair Care Tips

Wash with Warm Water

When choosing the right water temperature to wash your hair, lukewarm is best. While a scalding hot shower might sound relaxing after a long day, it will also rob your hair of essential oils. Cold water promotes scalp circulation which can improve hair health. Unfortunately, not a lot of us can handle it. Lukewarm water will do the trick just fine.

Deep Condition Regularly

As women, we subject our hair to all sorts of chemicals, dyes, and a ridiculous amount of heat. Regardless of your hair texture, it’s a good idea to apply a deep conditioning treatment on a regular basis. According to Top Trends Guide, using a good conditioner several times a week is extremely important if you have short or curly hair since you’ll want to maintain moisturize, maximize volume and prevent frizz. You also don’t have to wait and do it at the salon since there are plenty of quality products on the market you can use at home. Lifeless hair will become a thing of the past in no time.

Apply Shampoo to Your Scalp

This may sound like a no-brainer, but shampooing your scalp thoroughly is crucial when washing your hair. It’s not enough to shampoo the strands, as your scalp is the one responsible for producing oil and shedding skin cells. Apply a generous dose of shampoo and make sure you reach all parts of your head. As a bonus, a scalp massage is very relaxing.

Thoroughly Rinse

Rinsing is boring, we’ll give you that. But getting out of the shower with traces of product still in your hair will cause it to look dull. Take some extra time with rinsing to avoid any annoying product buildup.

Protect Your Hair Before Styling with Heat

Using heat to style your hair is unavoidable these days, so it’s important to take precautions. Excessive heat will damage your hair in the long run. To avoid that, invest in a quality heat protectant. Apply it before you curl, straighten, or even blow dry your hair for best results. Based on this resource by Garnier, there are several easy ways to protect your hair from heat and minimize dryness, dullness, and breakage.

Blow Dry with a Brush

Most women get a confidence boost after a professional blowout. Too bad it’s costly and time-consuming to head to the salon every time you wash your hair.

Blow drying may be an art, but you can master it at home, especially if you have the right tools. Use a round brush from near your roots down to your ends while blow-drying to end up with voluminous hair that’s eye-catching and easy to style. Apply a volumizing hair product for an extra dose of glam.

Straighten and Curl When Your Hair Is Dry

When it comes to hair basics, here’s a crucial piece of advice: never straighten or curl wet or even damp hair. The damage you’ll do isn’t worth the ‘efficiency.’ Instead, wait for your hair to be completely dry before reaching for your favorite styling device.

Use A Quality Conditioner

Finding the right conditioner for your hair type can be a struggle, so reach out to your hairdresser for recommendations. Since they handle your hair regularly, they can offer excellent advice. Conditioner isn’t a product you should skimp on. A quality brand-name product will not only detangle your hair, but nourish it in the long run.

Let Your Hair Relax Without A Ponytail

Wearing your hair in a tight ponytail day after day will put unnecessary strain on your locks. Just ask Ariana Grande. While ponytails are incredibly practical – and chic! – let your hair down more often to allow it to breathe and relax. On the same note, you can switch things up with braids and loose ponytails.

Sleep on a Silk Pillowcase

You spend approximately 7-8 hours per day with your hair resting on your pillow. Make sure that your pillowcase doesn’t do more harm than good. According to the New York Times, cotton pillowcases are harsh on your hair and can absorb product meanwhile a silk pillowcase’s smooth texture translates to hair that’s less frizzy and better hydrated.

Use Dry-Shampoo when Necessary

If you have greasy hair, dry-shampoo is a great care product worth using. With no washing required, it absorbs grease and leaves your locks looking fabulous. Even if you have normal hair, it’s a good idea to have dry-shampoo around for those days when you just can’t be bothered. Make sure you pick a quality brand that doesn’t leave any residue behind for a polished finish.

Air Dry When Possible

Most women know that heat can damage your hair, so air dry it whenever possible. In no way should you leave your house in winter with damp hair; that will result in all sorts of other problems. But if it’s a warm day or you’re staying in, air drying is always the way to go.

Trim Split Ends

Split ends are inevitable and ignoring them won’t do you any favors. They’ll just get worse and make your hair more difficult to style. Ideally, the average time frame between haircuts should be every three to four months, depending on texture.

Keep Your Hair Hydrated

Moisturizer isn’t only for your skin – your hair needs to stay hydrated as well! The first thing you need to do is to keep your hands from touching your hair all the time, as this (annoying) habit will lead to breakage. The second is to invest in a leave-in hair cream you can apply in the morning and allow it to work its magic throughout the day. Your strands will be grateful.

Use a Wide Tooth Comb on Wet Hair

In a perfect world, you would only comb your hair when completely dry. See, hair breaks more easily when it’s wet. But when you have issues with tangled hair, combing it while damp may be your only alternative. If that’s the case, use a wide-tooth comb and be patient. Also, the more gentle you are, the less hair you'll break.

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