What to do with roses from Valentines Day?

Rose water is exactly what it sounds like, the distilled water of roses. Dating back to early Egypt, rose water has ancient homeopathic roots. Cleopatra even used it! Rose water is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, contains antioxidants and hydrates. It helps sooth, balance, rejuvenate, soften, tone and revitalize the skin. 

So what do you do with all those roses you got on Valentine's Day? You make rose water. 

What you need:
Rose petals (fresh are the best, wilted are ok, dried will work but won't be as potent)
Distilled water

Directions: Remove petals from stems and run them under luke-warm water to remove any leftover residue.
Add petals to a large pot and top with enough distilled water to just cover (no more or you'll dilute your rosewater).
Over medium-low heat bring the water to a simmer and cover.
Let simmer for 20-30 minutes 
Strain the mixture to separate the petals from the water
Place water in a glass jar to store.

Rose water hydrates and moisturizers the skin, helps maintain the skins pH balance and controls excess oil. The best time to use rose water is at night. It helps clear all the impurities your face has collected throughout the day. It also helps you de-stress which can aid in better sleep. I spray rose water on my face at night after I cleanse and before I moisturize. I also keep a bottle in my desk drawer at the office. Whenever I need a little pick me up, I spritz some on my face. 

Don't be so quick to toss those roses...they are the gift that keeps on giving.

Happy Valentines Day ❤

What's in my makeup bag?

My friends are always asking me what makeup I use. Since I don't wear eye makeup at all anymore (revert to the 'What are Cosmetics' tab above) my bag is mostly full of lip products and some bronzer. I numbered everything in my bag below so you can see exactly what I use. 

1. Perfectly Posh Champagne Lip Oil - quench your lips with this amazing lip oil. A blend of naturally based oils with a champagne & ginger flavor. It's amazing, especially right now during this harsh winter we are having. Perfectly Posh ingredients are naturally based and full of things your skin craves. Most of their products are vegan, but some do contain safe animal bi-products like milk, honey, beeswax and yogurt. Their ingredients are loaded with essential oils. All of their products are free of petroleum, parabens/paraffins, tallow, lanolin, sulfates (SLES and SLS) and phthalates. 

2. Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick - Bite's original lipstick. Natural ingredients provide creamy, long lasting hydration that nourish and revitalize lips. It comes in 34 shades and have at least 12 of them. It's a matte finish and it stays on for hours. Bite Beauty lip products are free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrance, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMO, and triclosan. Because you eat what you put on your lips, Bite Beauty uses real ingredients.

3. Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Liquified Lipstick - Bite's most nourishing lipstick in a liquid form. It's like a mix between lipstick and lipgloss. It applies creamy with a semi-glaze finish and has a lightweight feel. Bite Beauty lip products are free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrance, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMO, and triclosan. Because you eat what you put on your lips, Bite Beauty uses real ingredients.

4. Bite Beauty Lush Fruit Lip Gloss - A highly pigmented, vibrant lip gloss with fruit oils. This lip gloss is on the thicker side but it has natural flavors and it's like instant nutrition for lips. Bite Beauty lip products are free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrance, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMO, and triclosan. Because you eat what you put on your lips, Bite Beauty uses real ingredients.

5. Bite Beauty Line & Define Lip Primer - A 100% natural, moisturizing formula that nourishes lips. I use this before I apply lipstick. It's my lip liner and lip primer in one. It's has a fresh minty smell and protects my lips from drying out. Bite Beauty lip products are free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrance, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMO, and triclosan. Because you eat what you put on your lips, Bite Beauty uses real ingredients.

6. Cover FX Pressed Mineral Foundation Powder - Talc free, oil absorbing powder foundation. Available in 40 shades. Kaolin Clay absorbs oil and ensures a long-wearing matte finish. Cover FX products are enriched with good for you ingredients without parabens, fragrance, gluten, mineral oil and talc. All products are vegan and cruelty free.

7. Cover FX Cover Click Concealer - A long-wearing, full coverage stick foundation and concealer in one. Available in 24 shades. It works wonders under my eyes. Cover FX products are enriched with good for you ingredients without parabens, fragrance, gluten, mineral oil and talc. All products are vegan and cruelty free.

8. Tarte Amazon Clay 12-Hour Highlighter - A 12-hour highlighter powered by Amazonian clay for a radiant glow. Tarte products are eco-chic, cruelty free, vegan, hypoallergenic, and free from parabens, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfates, triclosan and gluten. 

9. Pur Mineral Glow Bronzing Powder - Mineral glow's micronized mineral powder has rich, golden undertones to add a sun-kissed glow. Pur cosmetics are 100% cruelty free, formulated in the USA, environmentally responsible, vegan, and free from parabens, gluten, alcohol and talc.

10. Perfectly Posh Give You a Tint - Add a creamy pop of color to cheeks and lips with this soft coral color stick that brightens and tints in an easy-to-use, glide-on formula you can take anywhere. Perfectly Posh ingredients are naturally based and full of things your skin craves. Most of their products are vegan, but some do contain safe animal bi-products like milk, honey, beeswax and yogurt. Their ingredients are loaded with essential oils. All of their products are free of petroleum, parabens/paraffins, tallow, lanolin, sulfates (SLES and SLS) and phthalates.