Last Minute Halloween Costume Makeup- Barfing Rainbows Tutorial

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HallowCleanFaceOff #CollectiveBias

Momma Told Me: Everything's coming up rainbows.

It's not secret I love color.

I also love to turn heads and last year's Pop Art Makeup tutorial did plenty of that both on and offline. Unfortunately, this year, I've been scrambling to keep up with the rapidly approaching holidays. I have so many awesome recipes and PIN-worthy content in the works, on top of my weekly commitment with the day care, that I haven't had time to plan my own Halloween look. Sound like you? Don't fret, I've got us both covered with a simple, tongue in cheek, Halloween makeup idea inspired by one of this year's most annoying colorful trends, the barfing rainbow.

If you've somehow managed to sail through the majority of 2015 without the knowledge of this pop culture term, then I apologize for ruining the streak. The 'barfing rainbow,' is actually a photo enhancing filter built into a recent update on a major real-time photo chatting application (I shall leave unnamed.) Now, there have been some gorgeous renditions of this look; but we are focused on the convenience and simplicity of painting a free flowing rainbow falling from one's mouth. It's a costume you can throw together in minutes wearing your everyday clothes and with a little bit of exaggeration.

No matter how simple your Halloween costume makeup look is, you'll always want to start with a good foundation. I use Neutrogena® 's Healthy Skin Primer to help even my skin tone and act as a protective SPF barrier for all day looks. It absorbs quickly on the skin's surface and leaves a fresh, light, complexion that is best suited for this 'natural' full face base application. Feel free to add an additional layer of concealer, if desired, leaving the chin area barren. Or, simply complete a full face application, and remove the makeup from your chin with a Neutrogena® Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelette.

Next take a very bright pink blush and daub two generous heaps of product across each cheek, using a wide brush to work the color in. Make sure to drag the color high up your cheekbones and feel free to go overboard for an even more dramatic and 'cartoon' effect. For the main makeup you will want at least primary tubes of water based Yellow, Red, and Blue paint, as well as a white tube to help blend and softer colors to your desired palette. There are many versions of 'barfing rainbow, but all of them have at least Red, Orange, Yellow, Blue, Green, and Purple in them. The one I've chosen to replicate has an additional 'teal' band.

Using a flat brush about 1/2" wide, apply your yellow layer first, drawing a line down your bottom lip, and across your chin and next to your collarbone. You can actually take the lines further for a more dramatic 'every angle' effect, and even only a shirt collar for additional dramatic impact. Working around your yellow layer (which should be close to the center of your mouth/chin, repeat the process with each of the other colors- top lip down to collar.

If the paint begins to clump in a particular place simply wipe off your brush and gently daub the extra paint. Neutrogena® Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes work great for cleaning costume makeup off brushes, and even removing 'mistakes' during the painting process. Don't over-stress the consistency of the lines, this is intended to be a 'barfing' rainbow, after all, and should be 'free flowing' in movement.

Many of the photos floating around from this app feature exaggerated features, such as 'doll eyes' and 'fake lipstick,' or 'sparkles' on the rainbow, itself. If you'd like to have a little extra fun go ahead and apply some false lashes and brightening white shimmer/shadow to your upper and lower eyelids. I also decided to paint my upper lip a nice hot pink to contrast the flowing rainbow- just be sure to wipe any 'color' that may have daubed off onto your upper lip before putting the lipstick on. Those wipes sure do come in handy, don't they?

While you may be in a hurry to get to that party and show off your fiercely witty Halloween makeup, you're going to want to make sure you've stocked up on Neutrogena® Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes from Walmart. Not every ghoul and goblin will have been as smart as you with the quick makeup and affordable costume. Full face applications for vampires and such can be a real beast to get off at the end of the night. Be a good friend and pass a tub of Neutrogena® Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes. You can even tell them they're clinically proven to remove 99.3% of your most stubborn makeup, even waterproof mascara. I, personally, don't leave home without them.

Of course, then you're dealing with particularly stubborn, or cheap costume, makeup removing and 'undoing' makeup are two different things. Some paints can stain especially fair complexions, such as mine, so this year I'm fighting back with the power of Neutrogena® Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes and Neutrogena® Ultra Light Cleansing Oil. Once I've wiped my face down I simply apply 3-4 pumps of Ulta-Light Cleansing Oil to my dry hands, and smooth it all over my face. Next, I massage it into especially tough areas where color has set in, and activate it with a splash of water. Just a quick rinse, and I'm back to my non-rainbow-barfing self!

As fun as it is to barf rainbows, I can't be seen as my 'alter ego' all the time- having efficient makeup removal with even a single Neutrogena® Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelette is  true time saver. Just look at all that makeup I got off with one towelette! Best of all, there's 24 more in the package for me to use on non rainbow barfing days! How do you remove costume or stubborn makeup?

What Daughter Says: I may go by the 'living rainbow' but I don't always want to look like my skin is trying to become one. Efficient makeup removal is a must for the upcoming holiday!

Give The Gift Of Smiles: Homemade Lip Balm + Lip Sugar Scrub Tutorials

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GiftOfPhilips #CollectiveBias

Momma Told Me: Give smiles.

I still remember my mother's 45th birthday. She had asked for an electric toothbrush, a Philips Sonicare to be exact. And, no matter how my father and I urged her to pick something less 'practical,' she insisted that a shiny new toothbrush, with a few replacement heads, was all she really wanted more than anything. Fast forward a decade later and the mentality has very much changed. Smiles are vogue. They're Pin-worthy, on -trend, and very 'in.' And those Philips Sonicare toothbrushes? They're on the bathroom counters of all my friends and family. I can't spend a night in their homes without noticing the proudly displayed toothbrush, and hearing a lecture about how it's time to make the switch.

And, honestly, who can blame them? The 'smile' sits atop most noticed lists for job interviews, first impressions, and romantic matches alike. An estimated 1 million selfies are taken a day, worldwide. I'll let you soak that in a little bit. And, unless you're making fish lips, you're showing off those pearly, hopefully, whites. It's easy to see why the stylish Philips Sonicare 2 Series electric toothbrush is one of this year's hot items. Electric toothbrushes like Sonicare's can remove up to 6 times the plaque and buildup of manual ones, and with considerable less effort. The Sonicare 2 Series even comes in stylish limited edition colors such as Coral (seen here,) Steel (Blue), and Green when you shop at Target. These trendy colors are especially perfect for gifting teenagers- and I've got just the one in mind to give this one to!

My niece has been all about the selfies since she became a teenager- She's convinced her mother to shave, her father to allow her to wear (modest) dresses to school, and is constantly preening and primping in every reflective surface in sight. Like a typical teen, the world revolves around her (at least in her head it does.) But she's also beginning to wise up about hoe much effort it takes to maintain that 'flawless' look, and that beautiful teeth are not just a matter of fashion and self esteem, but a matter of health too. The Coral Philips Sonicare Series 2 electric toothbrush will be perfect for her. And, because I want to foster confidence and a year full of smiles in 2016, I'm even going to gift her a few smile enhancing (maybe even educing) extras. Right now the Sonicare 2 Series is on sale for an amazing price of $39.99 at Target, so I have a little extra left over in my budget.

The first thing I new I wanted to add to my 'Gift Of Smiles' was a set of homemade flavored lip balms. The process really couldn't be any simpler, and is something even tweens or teens would enjoy doing for a slumber party or birthday event. All it requires is a petroleum substitute such as a beesewax, cocoa butter, or unrefined coconut oil. While Momma's mom would tout the benefits of petroleum jelly all day, my generation is a bit more green and organic minded- so I suggest a pure cocoa butter or cocoa butter and coconut oil blend. Next, you'll want a few fruit beverage drink packets- the powder kind you typically add sugar too.

Place your base in a mixing container and sprinkle a little of the powdered drink mix in. Using a Popsicle stick or other fine agitator, fully combine the two before adding more. A little bit of most drink mixes will give a pleasant aroma, light flavor, and nice tint. Adding too much powdered drink mix will make the balm gritty and unpleasant. If you would like to make a tinted balm add a little extra red to one mix! If the mixture is too thick to blend place it (in a microwave safe container) in the microwave for 10 seconds on high, until the base of the mixture has just started to melt. Portion the mixture into plastic balm pots (I used 5 gram pots typically intended for mineral eye shadow, you may buy them at most beauty supply stores.)

Next I wanted to make something entirely natural that my niece could use to help treat her lips with on a weekly basis, something that would add a touch of 'spa' treatment to my gift. I first fell in love with the ritual of lip scrubs last year when I purchased one on a whim from a handmade vendor. I immediately fell in love with the dramatic improvement of my lips texture and health. Just one treatment a week left my lips in amazing shape, softer, more even, and free of dry or peeling skin.

You'll need, 1 C pure cane sugar (granulated,) 1 TBS organic vanilla extract, one vanilla bean, and 1 TBS coconut oil (melted/liquid). Prepare your vanilla bean by running a straight edge down the middle (starting at the curved top) and scraping the center 'caviar' out. This center extract is what you will use in your sugar scrab. As a tip, store scraped beans in your pantry vanilla jar for wonderfully fragranced vanilla!

Next, combine all ingredients with a fork, or wide spoon, gently scraping the mixture together (rather than smashing.) Do not overwork the mixture, it should be light, fluffy, and slightly damp. The vanilla bean should be seen throughout.

Home made sugar lip scrub will keep in an air tight jar for months- If you open your scrub and notice it as begun to dry out simply portion a little into a dish or tray, as a drop of water and create a gritty paste to apply to your lips. Use the scrub once, to no more than twice, a week, directly applied to the lips and 'scrubbed' into the lips with one's fingers. Rinse and enjoy exfoliated lips!

To complete my gift of smiles gift I picked up a few affordable extras, no more than a few dollars each. I included a pack of sugar free gum, and some fruity breath mints, as well as some bright colored wash cloths, mouth wash, and floss picks. I even threw in a selfie lens kit so my recipient can show off their beautiful smile in a whole new way! I packaged all these items up in a clear travel cosmetics case with a bow, ready to gift.

I'll be honest, since the Philips Sonicare 2 Series is nearly half off at Target right now, Sabrina is not the only one on my list receiving one for the holiday this year. I can't divulge the other recipient, as they read the blog, but I can tell you I got a beautiful Coral Series 2 for myself. I even scored a great price on some replacement heads, so I am ready to go for 2016!

More than not lately I look at things from a questioning perspective of 'Am I getting old?' This is not one of them. Sure, I might appreciate the value of a great smile a lot more than I did in high school, but my nieces and nephews also seem to have caught on a lot earlier than me. I'm not longer the exception when it comes to the 'electric toothbrush club,' and I know a few people on my holiday shopping list who will be smiling extra bright come Christmas morning! What are some of your best tips and secrets for a confident smile? Do you know anyone on your list who would love a Philips Sonicare 2 Series this holiday season?

What Daughter Says: I may have interpreted Momma's advice different than she originally intended, but the outcome is still the same. Sharing the confidence of a great smile is just as important!

Blog POP! Christmas Wishes- Winter Hair Care Tips + Styling Giveaway

This Clean Radiance™ discussion is sponsored by Acorn Influence on behalf of Goody®. Clean Radiance™ results based on consumer usage and perception study.

Momma Told Me: Dry as Winter.

Winter is almost here and it may seem like you can't quite win when it comes to the perfect beauty care routine- what works in the hot, dry weather of the Summer does not work in the cold, damp, or humid, months of the Winter. In fact, you may not realize it, but your hair is under attack from heat, and more likely to be dry-damaged during the Winter months, when it is cold and you are reliant on artificial heating. So I thought I would share a few of my own favorite tips for being 'Winter prepared,' when it comes to hair!

1. Cut out the bulk- Last month I shared with you the new Goody® Clean Radiance™ paddle brush, which features unique copper bristles that help maintain your scalp's natural moisture levels, while cutting down on gunk and buildup at the roots. The result? A more manageable, shinier, visibly beautiful head of hair. During the Winter months, especially your scalp can begun to flake, dry, and 'gunk up' from the constant change of extreme conditions- indoor to outdoor, hot to cold. Be sure to spend extra time massaging your scalp when shampooing, and brush twice daily with a quality wide paddle brush such as Goody® Clean Radiance™. I've been using my Clean Radiance™ brush for a month now and my scalp not only feels softer, but my air moves more naturally and is even easier to style!

2. Moisturize- While it may not seem intuitive, you hair is actually more likely to dry out and become damaged during the Winter months where temperatures are at their extremes. Deep condition your hair twice a week, leaving treatments in for a minimum of 30 minutes prior to rinsing. For a natural mask solution take a look at our Avocado, Honey, Coconut Hair Mask recipe, featured on our post from November.

3. Humidify- Yea, I know, humidity often reminds us of frizz, one of the worst hair beauty faux pas, but the truth is artificial home environment heating equals dry air, and dry hair! Invest in a stylish, small space, personal humidifier to help control the micro-climate around you, while relaxing in your home. Your tresses with thank you!

4. Contain- No woman wants to toss on a beanie or hood over their meticulously styles hair, but the simple truth is- elements do damage. Rain, snow, and sleet all wreak havoc on your scalp's natural moisture levels and contribute to build up of oils, clogged follicles, brittle hair, slow growth, and more. Keep your scalp, and locks, healthy and cover up your head when going out into extreme Winter elements. Help keep your style in place, and minimize frizz by tying a silk scarf over your hair before putting on any beanies or hats. Keep hair bands on hand at all times for any hair emergencies where the wind and storms might cause an unruly mess- I like to keep mine on a carbiner clipped in my purse!

5. Time for a trim- If it's been more than 2 months since your last haircut, it's time to dial up the salon. Regular trims, year round, help maintain your hair's health, prevent split ends from spreading, and encourage healthy growth. In the Winter months we often find ourselves so preoccupied with holiday preparation and celebrations we skip our regular hair care- don't skip the trim, mark your calendar for your next haircut today!

While I don't have to head with snowstorms and extreme weather, I try to practice these good hair care tips during the Winter- We live very close to the beach and experience a lot of humidity, but inside our home it can get quite dry and warm. I encourage natural moisture levels with my Goody® Clean Radiance™ paddle brush and plenty of hydration! What are some of your Winter hair care challenges?

What Daughter Says: Don't be fooled by the weather outside- maintain your hair and scalp's natural moisture levels with simple care routines!

Goody is giving away several prize bundles including a Chi Straightener and CROC Blowdryer (valued at $200), Goody Basket (valued at $100) - 2 winners, and $25 Walmart gift card to 25 winners. Enter below and be sure to hop along to all of the other Blog POP! Events Giveaways on the LINKY.

Help Your Hair Achieve Clean Radiance™ + Avocado, Honey, Coconut Hair Mask Recipe

This Clean Radiance™ discussion is sponsored by Acorn Influence on behalf of Goody®. Clean Radiance™ results based on consumer usage and perception study.

Momma Told Me: Better get it squeaky clean!

My readers all know the story of how I ended up with a bowl cut at age 8, after Momma's insistence that I was not properly caring for my head and hair with the appropriate cleansing practices. I was, understandably, devastated, but she insisted that my hair was consistently oily because I did not shampoo properly- "Clean until it squeaks," she'd say.

While the debate still rages in my family, I'm quite certain that the hair which later went on to grow thick and excessively oily (right through my greasy faced teenage years,) was a bit more of a case of hormones and ancestry than personal hygiene negligence. As I've aged, however I've processed my hair, and shocked it with numerous harsh styling practices. the delicate balance of natural moisture has quickly faded leaving dull hair and a dry scalp.

Your hair, much like your skin (the body's largest organ) craves moisture. Daily processing treatments such as blow drying, straightening, and curling can dry out your hair causing an imbalance that results in the build up of dead skin, flakes, dandruff, and more. However, for blow drying addicts like me, stopping these daily rituals is often an unreasonable compromise. After all what fun is having a nice head of hair if you can't tease and tame it as you wish? But a healthy head is one with a delicately nourished balance of moisture created by a carefully maintained scalp. If you've noticed a buildup of volume at the roots, where your hair meets your scalp, then you jut might benefit from a few of these tips.

Ever since the 'Great Hair Lightening Incident' of 2013, I've been extra cautious of what goes on my hair and my head. After all, we can absorb just about anything through our skin, and that's precisely what our scalp is covered in! So I've been slowly trying to transition my natural hair color back through the black that was the color fiasco cover-up. Half the time it looks like horrid roots, other days it works. In the mean time, I am constantly looking for natural treatments to help nourish my hair and scalp at home.

When my girlfriend first 'fried' my hair I thought for sure I was going to be bald. It was bad.

Once the dust settled, my once beautiful thick head of hair reduced to a thin clump of easily tangled, multi length strands, I was simply grateful to have any hair. Every single stylist told me to cut it off; pixie length short. Determined that that should be the last resort, I, instead, looked into natural treatments to help restore my hair's natural properties, and encourage growth. One of the things that particularly worked for me was a simple, natural, DIY Hair Masque made of honey, coconut oil, and avocado. A simple paste made of these 3 ingredients (recipe and instructions at the bottom,) left on my hair for just a half an hour each week truly did help restore natural shone and moisture to my damaged hair. It even cut down on frizz!

Released this Fall, Goody has also discovered a natural way to potentially unlock hair's natural radiance. Their Goody® Clean Radiance™ paddle brush is unlike any before, made with high quality deep seated copper bristles atop a padded cushion for comfort in brushing. These copper bristles help reduce natural buildup on your hair and scalp over time and offer a healthier shine* (*Results based on consumer usage and perception study.) The idea is to help balance out the natural moisture balance of your unique hair for a more noticeable shine and manageability.

It simply cannot get any easier than using a hair brush; after all, you brush your hair every day, right? I've been using the Goody® Clean Radiance™ paddle brush for a few weeks now, twice a day on dry hair (after blow drying, do not use in conjunction with heat,) and I've noticed a big difference in manageability and natural luster. My hair looks softer to the touch, and as though I've treated with oils- when I've really done nothing more than brush ans style as usual. The Goody® Clean Radiance™ certainly is an intriguing development in personal beauty care, and you'll find it in store at Walmart locations nationwide. Now, tell me, what type of hair do you have, and what are some of your styling struggles?

What Daughter Says: My hair doesn't squeak, but it certainly does shine like it's healthy!