When items go bad

 Rae

When do cosmetics go bad?

This is from the May 2011 issue of InStyle magazine.  

This helped me know when to throw stuff out.  I did not know this could happen.  I assumed everything would be fine even past the expiration dates and after a couple of years.  I hope this helps you.

• Sunscreen lasts to a year and usually has an expiration date on it.  It is okay to use after a year if it hasn't "separated, change in smell or become discolored" says Dr. Gaf.  Dr. Gaf also says "to trust your eyes and nose."

• Mascara last to 3 months.  Optometrist Jennifer Giermek of N.Y.C.'s Naked Eye optical says when mascara dries out of gets clumpy, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria.  Discard right away if there is an eye infection.   

• Nail Polish can last up to 1 year, with proper storage.  Ni'Kita Wilson, a cosmetic chemist, says "start examining nail polish after 9 months for color fading or separation, that's when it won't go on as smoothly." 

• Fragrance can last up to 2 years.  Roger Spain of Belle-Aire Fragrance says, "each spritz lets more air into the bottle, which causes oxidation and slightly changes the scent, but it's still fine to use." 

• Face Creams can last from 6-9 months; 12 months if it's in a pump. 
• Face creams in a jar: can last 6-9 months, fingers can introduce bacteria says Ni'Kita Wilson, a cosmetic chemist.  Be sure to keep alphahydroxy creams tightly sealed or they will become more concentrated and cause irritation (Wilson).

Tips of the Month

RAE

Here is a way to get rid of stains at a cheaper price.

I am so tired of stains on my clothes.  I wonder how and when do I get them, because I don't go outside and purposely make stains.  On pinterest, a friend of mine reposted a way of getting stains out of clothes; original article (http://www.glamour.com/fashion/blogs/slaves-to-fashion/2008/10/style-secret-the-only-spot-rem.html).  It's simple and probably costs less than  other stain removers.  It works.
1. 1 part Dawn dish soap; 2 parts Hydrogen Peroxide (I estimated about how much to use; I didn't try it on many shirts, so I used a couple drops of Dawn dish soap and hydrogen peroxide- no specific amount was said)
2. Either scrub it on with a brush or pour it on (I tried both, lost my patience for scrubbing)
3. I let my clothes sit for an hour with hydrogen peroxide/soap
4. then wash like regular clothes.
Little did I know that hydrogen peroxide could be used for cleaning.  I actually did not know what it's main purpose was because I have never had to use it.  So, here are some more tips on how to use hydrogen peroxide to clean the house.

• http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2011/11/goodbye-to-yellow-armpit-stains.html
• http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2009/04/natural-stain-remover-cleaning-agent-hydrogen-peroxide.html 
• http://www.ehow.com/how_2199283_use-hydrogen-peroxide-remove-stains.html 

BREA

TAKE A BITE!

Kiwi fruit benefits:

• Rich in vitamin C--help boost collagen. Recommended daily intake is one to get the Vitamin C (twice as much vitamin C in kiwi than oranges).
• Help immunity--protect against attacks from bacteria and viruses.
• Great digestion aid because of its fiber and other components. Two of them are equivalent to a bowl of bran cereal.

Although kiwi fruits are seasonal, when you manage to buy some of these fuzzy fruits, remember to take advantage of the benefits!

http://www.kiwifruit.org/health-nutrition/

EM

 Feeling a little stressed out? Watch some YouTube vids!~~ It'll help relieve stress & get your mind off of your troubles. Here are funny YouTubers that you can check out: HappySlip / Christine Gambito, wongfuproductions, & kevjumba.

Tips of the Month

EM

• To naturally lighten your hair, slice two to three lemons in half & squeeze the juices in a cup with half a cup of water then pour onto your hair (preferably when you're in the showers.) Leave it in for 2 to 4 hours depending on how dark your hair is, so don't make plans~ Rinse your hair at the end of the treatment, it should give you subtle highlights ^^

BREA

• Minor cuts/nicks: Put one drop of eye-drop on cut and it stops bleeding almost instantly! Useful for those shaving nicks. Eye drops causes the blood vessels to constrict (active ingredient: Tetrahydrozoline); cutting off the flow to the cut.

RAE

• A couple of ways to stay calm from Everyday Calm 365 Ways to a better you (by Laurel Alexander) -I get stressed out easily, so this book has helped me reduce my stress levels.

1. Refreshing sleep, here are some tips to help you get a good night's sleep:
• Avoid drinking stimulants, i.e caffeine
• Use the bed for sleeping (do not watch TV or use a laptop in bed)
• Don't exercise when bedtime's coming up soon
• Don't go to bed hungry
• If you wake up, avoid looking at the clock
• Keep your bedroom at a comfortable temperature
2. Flow Writing- keep a journal and write about anything, such as facts, feelings, ideas, quotes, etc, maybe bring it with you when you go somewhere and write when you see something out of the normal- just write about it
3. Read a book- it transport you to another world, it takes your mind off of things that are happening in reality.  

Tips of the Month

RAE

• Another way to stay relaxed is cut the caffeine (I understand, it's hard, I depend upon it too).  "As little as 20mg can produce and small and noticeable body and mood change"  -Everyday calm 365 ways to a better you (Laurel Alexander)
• A pedicure from the same book; it's a great way to pamper yourself, the way you want to.
• First add you favorite essential oil to warm water and soak your feet for ten minutes.
• Dry your feet and exfoliate them, especially your heels.  Remove dry skin with a mixture of olive oil and salt (or sugar) and rinse. 
• Cut your nails with a clipper and file them to a length your choice.
• Massage your feet with a rich cream. Apply cuticle oil to your nails to soften and revitalize and rough areas.
• Use a cuticle stick to press the cuticles back neatly.
• Apply a base coat of polish, then apply two further thin coats, finish with a top coat.

BREA

• Looking for a makeup brush cleanser? Investing in one is not necessary. Simply use what you have around the house-- shampoo, dish soap, or facial soap.

EM

• Here's a tip for a natural teeth whitener: eat some grapes~ The malic acid in grapes naturally breaks down stains & discolorations on teeth. For more info:  http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20311953_4,00.html

Tips of the Month

RAE

• Broccoli helps get rid of dark circles, but you need to eat it daily to notice a change.

• A few ways to stay calm:

1. Prioritize, we all have a to do list of numerous stuff.  Look at everything, mark it either: 1) Important 2) Semi important/ not 3) Not important.  Then, review items with the number 2, mark them either 1 or 3.  Do the most important tasks first, the to do list should never be more than 10 items.
2. Take a half a day off.  Do what YOU want to do, eat what YOU want to eat, try to refrain from using the computer and phone (you might be sucked back into work mode and get stressed out).  Take a half a day to meet a friend and have Cold Stone (maybe not now, since it's winter), but take the part of a day for YOURSELF!!!
3. Being/ or having a friend.  It's a great way to listen to a friend who needs you, or your friend can listen to you.  You can share stories, tell jokes, laugh with them, just talk, and more.

         *The ways to stay calm are from : Everyday Calm, 365 ways to stay calm
          (Laurel Alexander).

BREA

• If you know about a light someone forgot to turn off, switching it off may save up to 20% of electricity used in the home.

EM

• Here's another tip using Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Massage it into your hair, then cover hair with a shower cap for 30 minutes.  Rinse off with your favorite shampoo ^^