Invest in a good matte taupe eye shadow like Urban Decay Buck, Bobbie Brown Taupe, The Balm Matt Patel from the Meet Matte palette, or one of my favorites Taupe from the Lorac Pro Palette. You don’t just have to use that matte taupe eye shadow in your crease or on your eyelids. You can use a matte taupe eye shadow to fill in brows, line eyes, and even blend under your cheekbones for a quick and easy contour.
PS: No affiliate links in this post, just a bunch of links to help you know what types of shadows I am talking about 😉
You may not realize it, but flexibility is just as important for you as strength and cardio! Sometimes I am so sore from a previous intense workout that I need to focus for a few days on flexibility and stretching. This is a quick 10 minute flexibility workout by (my favorite) Jessica Smith!
Remember to keep good proper form and warm up before and stretch after you exercise!
Are you enjoying these “No Gym? No Problem!” posts? If so, you can check out the rest by clicking HERE!
~Weekly Product Highlight~Colgate Optic White Express White Toothpaste~
I have VERY sensitive teeth. I cannot bite into an apple that is cold right out of the fridge, I cannot drink a glass of ice cold liquid without using a straw. I cannot even think about doing either of those things without my teeth hurting. So, when it comes to teeth whitening, my vanity does have its limits!!! Of course I want to have white teeth, but at what price?! I have tried all kinds of “teeth whiteners for sensitive teeth” and most have left me in serious pain! I think that overall I have a somewhat high pain tolerance, but when it comes to the pain of sensitive teeth, NOPE, I am a huge baby!
All that being said, I received my first tube of Colgate Optic White Express White Toothpaste in a Target Beauty box a few months ago. My teeth are so sensitive that I can usually tell after the first use of a whitening product if it is going to make my teeth hurt. This product claims to be ” formulated to be used daily and is enamel-safe. When used as directed, ColgateOptic White has not been shown to increase sensitivity in consumers” It also claims to give a noticeably whiter smile within 3 days (*best results seen after 4 weeks) So with all those claims, I figured that I would give it a try.
Did this tooth paste make my teeth hurt…
Nope! When I first started using it I didn’t have any noticeable increase in my teeth’s sensitivity. What I did notice though was when I flossed my teeth every day gums were a tiny bit tender, nothing too bad nor painful, but something that I was aware of. Also, my lips have been a bit drier while I have been using this tooth paste. I must also mention that I use this in combination with ACT Restoring Anticavity Fluoride Mouthwash in Cool Mint. (I have been using ACT for years and it really does help with my teeth’s sensitivity.)
Did I have noticeably whiter teeth in 3 days…Yes! When used consistently twice a day, I did notice that my teeth looked whiter /brighter after using this toothpaste for 3 days in a row. But… to be honest, I also had a dental appointment to get my teeth cleaned on day 3, so I don’t know if it was all the toothpaste or a combination of the two.
After those initial 3 days, I have since used the entire sample 0.75 oz size tube, as well as an entire tube in the 3 oz size and have started a new tube. Now that I have consistently used this toothpaste my teeth are definitely whiter and brighter. I am hooked!
Not the most flattering of pictures. But here is an idea of what my teeth looked like before using the Colgate Optic White Express White Toothpaste and after using it for 3 days.
Were my teeth super yellow to start off with? No. Are my teeth super duper brighten up the entire room white after using this? No, but are they whiter and brighter than they were when I started, yes!
I have recommended this toothpaste to both my sister and my sister in law and they are both loving it as well! I love sharing products I love with people I love!
What does the Colgate Website have to say about this product…
Dazzle Without the Hassle
Express White is Colgate’s fastest teeth whitening toothpaste ever.
Breakthrough formula offers whiter teeth in 3 days* just by brushing.
Safe for daily use. Protects enamel and provides anti-cavity fluoride protection.
*For best results, use as directed for 4 weeks. **Vs Optic White® Sparkling Mint®.
“When used as directed, best results are achieved in 4 weeks, but to keep your white smile, continue to use. In addition to providing whitening results, Optic White® provides all of the benefits of standard fluoride toothpaste and can be used daily.
When using the entire Optic White® collection together, when should I use the Mouthwash? Before or after the whitening gel? Use mouthwash prior to the Optic White® Whitening Pen. To get the desired results, the gel should be the last item you use after brushing your teeth.“
I haven’t tried out any of the other optic white products, but I am interested to see if they work out as well too. If you are interested in trying out this toothpaste or any of the other Optic White products HERE is a link to a $0.75 off coupon, http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/special-offers. You know how much I love to save money!
What about you? Have you tried out the Colgate Optic White Toothpaste? What did you think? How were your results? Have you tried any of the other products in the Optic White line? I’d love to hear about it!
How long does it take to see results with exercise?
Sometimes it feels as if you are working so hard and not seeing results! You may start asking yourself “When am I going to start seeing results for all the hard work that I have been doing?!”
Even though the diet marketing people want to make us think that we can quickly lose 15-20 lbs in a week by using their products, it isn’t really likely or that easy. Also, in the small chance that the product does work, it isn’t likely that the weight loss will stick around and be permanent.
Try this, instead of only gauging your progress by what the scale says, think beyond just weight based result. You may find that you are being consistent and working so hard, but don’t have results on the scale. Don’t just look at the number on the scale. Maybe your strength and endurance have improved, you notice that your body is changing and you are feeling better and healthier and you feel happier and better all around.
So, how long does it take to see results with exercise? Remember even though you may already feel the results of a healthy lifestyle change right away, it can take between 4-6 week to see results when first starting a new workout routine.
Like I said in last weeks post about Muscle and Fat, focus on fat loss and how you feel, not just the number on the scale. When you feel good you can’t help but look good too!
You may remember me complaining about my chubby knees in my post about Jeans and Genes (If you would like to read more about it you can check it out by clicking HERE.) Well, this workout isn’t necessarily for chubby knees but it’ll still give you a quick 5 minute leg workout that’ll have you going from flab to fab in no time!
I love that this video has a count down clock on it. I don’t know about you, but it makes a big difference for me to be able to see the time ticking down!
Are you enjoying these “No Gym? No Problem!” posts? If so, you can check out the rest by clicking HERE!
Remember to keep good form and warm up before and stretch after you exercise! No excuses, just do it!
~Weekly Product Highlight~ Garnier MIRACLE SKIN PERFECTOR BB CREAM and the MIRACLE SKIN PERFECTOR BB DAILY ANTI-ACNE~
I have been using this Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB CREAM for about 4 years now. It is hands down my go to every day base. It is very easy to blend and gives light to medium coverage. One of my favorite things about it is that as it brightens and evens out the skin it still has a very lightweight feel on the skin.
During the winter months I am super pale, so the fair/light Skin Renew shade is a great color for me right now. During the summer I use the light/medium, and even some times by the end of the summer I am even in the medium/dark shade. I also really like that the skin renew has a 15 spf in it. The light medium has more of a brown under tone, while the fair/light is more of a peach undertone.
The Miracle Skin Perfector BB CREAM light/medium is much lighter than the Skin Renew light/medium shade. It is so much lighter that I can wear it during the winter months even when my skin is at its palest. I prefer the finish of this one over the Miracle Skin Perfector BB CREAM. It seems to last longer throughout the day and gives better coverage overall.
Skin concerns, such as discoloration, dullness, blotchiness and dryness can come from a number of different sources. It’s hard to find just one product that addresses them all. Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector B.B. Cream immediately and effectively fullfills your skincare expectations with just one multi-benefit product that combines intense moisturizing skincare + immediate skin perfecting coverage for skin that looks naturally more even, radiant and smooth.
How is it different?
It’s a new idea in skincare. B.B. Cream (Beauty Balm Cream) is a hybrid formula that offers advanced skincare + immediate skin perfecting coverage in one single beauty product.
Problem: Acne prone skin can be difficult to control and acne blemishes take time to clear up. It can be hard to find and all-in-one hydrating treatment that helps prevent new acne and corrects and conceals imperfections for a flawless finish instantly and over time.
Solution: Garnier introduces Miracle Skin Perfector Daily Anti-Acne BB Cream; an effective light-weight formula that combines advanced skincare + immediate skin perfecting coverage. It helps prevent new breakouts and clears up acne blemishes. This multi-tasking acne treatment immediately conceals imperfections and redness while diminishing the appearance of pores for a clarified, even-toned look.
How is it different?
Miracle Skin Perfector Daily Anti-Acne BB Cream is an all-in-one product designed to treat and help prevent new acne blemishes and conceal imperfections for a fresh faced, clarified complexion. This fast-absorbing, oil-free formula contains 2% Salicylic Acid to treat acne blemishes and Mineral Pigments to conceal imperfections. One product, five results: Clears acne blemishes, diminishes imperfections, helps prevent acne, minimized the appearance of redness and provides oil-free hydration.
B.B. Cream (Beauty Balm Cream) is a daily hybrid formula that offers advanced skincare + immediate skin perfecting coverage. It combines several beauty routine steps in one single product.
*For external use only. Flammable until dry. Do not use near fire, flame or heat. When using this product skin irritation and dryness is more likely to occur if you use another topical acne medication at the same time. If irritation occurs, only use one topical acne medication at a time. Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.
After 1 Week: 85% saw healthy looking skin 80% saw a reduction in the appearance of redness and an improvement in skin clarity
$12.99MSRPprices may vary”
Have you ever tried either of these Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB CREAM or the Miracle Skin Perfector BB DAILY ANTI-ACNE? What do you think? Do you like it too!
We’ve all probably heard someone say that muscle weighs more than fat. But does muscle really weight more than fat? The quick answer is NO…A pound is still a pound no matter what it is made up of. That being said the difference between muscle and fat is not the weight, but the amount of space that it takes up.
Muscle is denser and compact so it takes up less space.Fat is more spread out and takes up more space. This is why a lean body builder can weigh the same as a chubby couch potato.
Five pounds of fat compared to five pounds of muscle
Instead of focusing on just the number on the scale, focus on how you feel and how your clothes are fitting. While it is nice to see the numbers on the scale go down, it is a better idea to focus on fat loss and how you feel, not just the number on the scale.
Keep in mind that no matter what the number is on the scale, when you feel good you can’t help but look good too!
On quick “5 Minute Makeup” or “No Makeup Makeup” days all you need is blush, mascara, lipgloss, and bronzer!
When I want to look natural or get ready quickly, I love to sweep a bit of bronzer into my crease. It adds some nice depth without taking a lot of time or having to use eyeshadow.
I love to workout with weights! One thing I have learned from all my working out with Jillian (remember we are best friends, she just doesn’t know it) is that compound movements are much more effective than just isolating one muscle group. This series of dumbbell exercises will give you several effective compound movements. I like to use 8lb weights, but 3lbs or 5 lbs is great as well! You can always push the up button by increasing the weight.
Start with one set of each move. As you get stronger,try to do the a circuit three or four times. After six weeks you can expect to see improvements in strength, muscle tone, and endurance. You will be shocked at just how strong you are! As always…No excuses! Just do it!
Remember to keep good proper form and warm up and stretch before and after your workout!
You can check out the original article from Real Simple written by Jessica Cassity by clicking HERE.