DIY Egg Mask Facial

My article: http://theteentrends.com/diy-egg-mask-facial/

I love the saying "You are what you eat", especially when what you eat is healthy! Eggs are one of the greatest and most natural sources of protein there are. Now, not only are eggs good for the body, they're also great for the skin. 

An at home egg mask facial is great for several reasons. For starters, they're a money saver, since most if not all of the materials needed are items you probably already have at home. Their ingredients have the ability to brighten, tighten as well as aide in diminishing pore size. And lastly, these masks are great for oily skin- and with summer vastly approaching I thought this how to would be useful.  

(*Face mask is not for people who have allergies to eggs)

What You'll Need: 

2 bowls

A fork 

1 egg, organic preferred but non-organic will do. *Organic eggs come from cage free hens and are the better option because they contain more nutrients and less toxins than non-organic eggs. 

Face wash or cleansing wipes

*Exfoliator (optional)

Facial moisturizer or serum

1 ice cube

How To:

1. Separate the egg: Break egg and separate the white from the yolk into 2 bowls. With a fork, beat the egg white until it forms a bubbly consistency. 

2. Cleansing the skin: Using a face wash or cleansing wipe of your preference, remove all makeup and or dirt/oil. 

3. Exfoliate: (Step is optional) Using an exfoliating scrub of your choice, gently massage over face. I use the Olay ProX cleansing brush ($29.99) and St. Ives green tea scrub ($4.99)

4. Apply egg white: Take 1 tablespoon of the egg white mixture and rub onto face. Cover face evenly avoiding the eye area and let sit until "mask" begins to tighten. The egg white will lift the skin while tightening at the same time. When it becomes hard to move your face, the mask has set long enough. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

5. Apply egg yolk: Following the egg white mask, use a small amount of the yolk and apply to your entire face, avoiding the eye area. The yolk acts as a natural moisturizer. Let the mask set until face becomes hard to move. Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Pat dry.

6. Moisturize: Now that your face is clean it's time to moisturize! Apply a favorite lotion or serum to your entire face. Your skin should immediately soak it in. 

7. Minimize pores: To minimize the appearance of pores, run an ice cube over your entire face. The lotion/serum you applied in the previous step should have soaked into the skin by now, so don't worry that it will run off. Concentrate the ice cube on the area around your nose, as those pores are the most visible. 

All finished! Your skin should now have a healthy glow to it. If you're not sure what to do with the left overs, they can be covered and kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

So save yourself the cash and a trip to the salon because all you need is already in the kitchen. Healthy foods make healthy skin…enjoy! 

10 Flirting Tips

My article: http://theteentrends.com/10-flirting-tips/

Ever find yourself at a loss for words around your crush? Well- whether you're new to flirting or a seasoned vet, these 10 tips are sure to help you break the ice. 

Make Eye Contact

Every relationship involves and requires eye contact. However, when it comes to flirting and being successful at it- eye contact is of the utmost importance! If you want to grab your crush's attention- look them in the eyes. Doing so not only conveys your interest, but your confidence as well. 

Have a Good Opening Line

The next time a flirtatious moment presents itself, go for it with this tip. Try using their name and asking how their day is going. Speaking directly to a person lets them know that they have your attention, and hopefully that will segue into a more in depth conversation with your crush. 

Strike up a conversation

What you say next should be a general comment or question about the situation you're both currently in. If you have a class together, come up with a question regarding an assignment or the class. For example, "Have you picked a topic for your presentation yet? I'm doing ___ ".

Compliment The Person

Pick one thing you like about their appearance such as their hair, their smile or an article of clothing. Let them know in a friendly way how much you like it. It'll make them feel good and more likely to open up to you. (*If you can't think of anything to say for tip #2, a compliment will do). 

Smile

A little smile goes a long way. A happy face is more inviting than a frowning one; which is the message you want to send while flirting anyway, right? Look like you actually enjoy talking to and/or being around them. Be sure to throw them a smile whenever appropriate. If they shoot one back, you'll know that they like talking to and/or being around you too.

Flirt With Your Body

This doesn't mean throw yourself at the person. Body language can be as important if not more important than what you say. Make sure to use good posture, point your body toward the person and try to find excuses to touch them. I.e., a subtle brush of the arm or a lingering touch on the shoulder.

Keep It Light

Chances are you'll get a better response if you chat about fun, happy stuff (like your new puppy) rather than serious or sad stuff (like when your puppy got hit by a train). The point of flirting isn't to bare your soul or share your honest opinions about everything. Instead it's to open the door to lots more conversations down the road. 

Beware of Awkward Silences

Once the conversation drags, it's probably gone for good. Fill an awkward silence by asking the other person a question. Can't think of one? Ask about something specific to them or something regarding your surroundings (like a painting on the wall or the music that's playing). Try to keep them engaged and talking. If they're not responsive, that's usually a good indicator to wrap things up. 

Wrap It Up

If you're not interested in talking anymore, politely find an excuse to part ways. If you are interested, give them a way to get in touch with you- like your phone number or Facebook name. This is hopefully just the first conversation of many, so save some of that charm for the next time.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Let's face it, no one's perfect at flirting the first time around. If the idea of flirting still gives you butterflies, don't worry- it just means that you need more practice. The more you flirt, the easier it'll get.

Remember, flirting is just a fun way to see how well you vibe with a person. It doesn't seal your fate with someone as a full-fledged couple, nor does it deem you a romantic and social outcast. Take your time and have fun with it. If all else fails, refer to the tips above. Who knows what will come of your next flirtatious encounter? 

Urban Decay Build Your Own Palette

My article: http://theteentrends.com/urban-decay-build-palette/

A fan favorite gets new life. Urban Decay recently released its very first customizable eye shadow palette this spring.

Details: A completely customizable eyeshadow palette that will fit 6 of your favorite Urban Decay eyeshadows. Each palette comes fully equipped with a built-in mirror, ‘Walk of Shame’ eye shadow and travel size ‘Good Karma’ shadow brush. With 5 additional spaces for shadows and over 60 shades to choose from, the Urban Decay Build Your Own Palette is a great buy. Its sleek design makes it great for travel, as well as every day use. The redesign of Urban Decay’s eyeshadow compacts allows them for the first time ever to be completely removable, making the palette 100% interchangeable.

Price: Palette only, $18. Each additional shadow, $18.

Where can I buy this: It is available from retailers such as Urbandecay.com, Sephora and Sephora.com

A word to the wise: If you find a color you love, get it while you can- because as is the case with most beloved colors, they sell out FAST! And with shade names like ‘Maui Wowie’, ‘Psychedelic Sister’ and ‘Oil Slick” it’s not hard to see why.

Memorial Day Fashion Ideas

My article: http://theteentrends.com/memorial-day-fashion-ideas/

Whether you plan on hitting the beach for a 3-day weekend or throwing a barbecue in your backyard, below are a few suggestions on dressing for the occasion.

Checkered shirts are among the most common items sported during the holiday. With it’s picnic pattern widely available for everyone in the family, these shirts are a shoo-in for the weekend’s festivities.

Denim shorts are great for lounging. Which is exactly what you plan on doing anyway, right?  Whether it’s waves rolling up the beach or splashes coming from the deep end, a pair of shorts allows you the simplicity of getting your feet wet.

If you aren’t quite sure of the event, khaki pants are a great option. Serving a multi-functional purpose; the khaki pant’s lightweight material keeps you cool in warmer weather, while its less casual appearance dresses up an outfit.

Plan on soaking up some sun? Don’t forget to protect your skin! Keeping sunglasses and hats nearby not only provide much needed shade, but also add to an already amazing outfit.

With Memorial Day unofficially marking the beginning of summer, so too do shades of white. A single piece or an entire ensemble in the pale shade welcomes the coming season superbly.

After reading through the list, I hope any worries on what to wear this weekend are gone. One thing is for sure though, whether you decide to dress for the occasion or throw caution to the wind- make sure you do it in style!

6 Must-Have's for a Picture Perfect Prom

My article: http://theteentrends.com/6-must-have-items-picture-perfect-prom/

With prom season amongst us, I thought I'd compile a list (for those of us still in school) of the 6 essential items you'll need for a foolproof night!

Camera
Toting a camera on prom night allows you to capture the memories of friends new and old. For most prom goers this night will be your last hurrah as a graduating class. Don’t let the moment pass- get to snapping!

Gum/Mints
Most prom nights begin with a dinner and end with dancing. And dancing in close proximity always warrants fresh breath! To save yourself the potential embarrassment pop in a piece of gum, or a breath mint prior to hitting the dance floor.

Safety Pins
Ladies, if on your routine stop to the restroom you find a rip in your dress or a broken zipper, don’t fret- your night isn’t ruined. Carrying extra safety pins will provide a temporary fix to most minor wardrobe malfunctions. Fellas, the same could be said for tuxedos; got a loose hem or a missing button? A safety pin does the trick. Don’t have one? Ask your date, she’s sure to have you covered.

Bobby Pins
Let’s face it, getting your hair done is one of the best parts of prom night. Having it fall out of place right before your picture is taken, is one of the worst. Keeping bobby pins handy will help you to immediately combat those annoying fly-aways and troublesome tresses. You’ll be smiling for the camera in no time!

Lip balm/Lipgloss
Smile! Those flash bulbs will be going off all night, and to ensure your pout is picture perfect- simply apply your favorite lip balm/gloss throughout the night. My favorite; eos lip balm- smooth sphere in Sweet Mint.

Band-Aids
Formal footwear was an aspect of prom that always made me happy. However, dancing in heels for hours on end makes me anything but. If you plan on wearing the highest of heels, I advise you to carry a handful of band-aids. When placed between your shoe and your skin, a band-aid provides cushion to your ankles as well as prevents blistering. Prom is about having fun and dancing the night away- not sitting it out.

So here’s to a night of making memories that will last a lifetime! Enjoy!