MAKEUP TIPS: PRIME IT UP!

Prize Primers

Get a flawless foundation for your face

Everyone knows it’s what underneath that counts the most.

But we’re not talking about inner beauty, your personality, or even your soul. No ladies, I am talking about what really matters: the primer you pick to go under your makeup.

OK, OK, I don’t want to sound shallow and we know that other inner stuff is really important, but a good primer can be a life-saver. It can help smooth out your skin tone, reduce shine, and make even inexpensive makeup last all night! It is a must-have beauty find. Check out a few of my fave primers!

Cover FX Skinprep FXNourishing Foundation Primer & Anti-Aging Serum: Not your typical primer, this must-have is also an anti-aging serum to keep you looking younger while creating an even surface for your foundation.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion Duo Original and Sin: Prep your lids with one of these primer potions, and you’ll be able to hit the town, then hit the sheets, and your shadow won’t budge an inch! Use the original formula or super shimmery Sin potion for more glam (and more sin).

Make Up For Ever HD Microperfecting Primer: Check out this line of gorgeous primers to give your eyes that extra boost of fabulous! The primers come in seven different shades, including a translucent one for that all-important neutral look.

Too Faced Lip Insurance Lip Primer Nude: Stop leaving your lip color all over your napkins and cups, instead keep it perfectly on your pucker. Prep your lips with this gloss and say goodbye to reapplying!


Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer: The award-winning Smashbox Photo Finish is the Taylor Swift of foundation primers. The solution reduces the appearance of fine lines and keeps your foundation put for hours! As long as Kanye doesn’t take it from you.


Trish McEvoy Eye Base Essentials: This eye primer will make any shadow stay on all night. Not to mention that the upper eye brightener helps correct discoloration, creating a bright, crease-free look.


xx, Beautyqueen

Take it Slow

Delish, skinny Crock-Pot® recipes for the girl on the go

These days the world is moving faster and faster. We’re surrounded by fast food, instant messenger, speed dialing, speed dating, microwave meals, streaming movies, 3G, 4G, and two-month marriages.

Although fast can often be good, sometimes slow is even better. Think a leisurely lunch with the girls, an afternoon walk through the park, and a weekend in bed with your man (yes, I said weekend).

And since we're taking everything slow I have to share my renewed love of the slow cooker(and no, I am no longer talking about that weekend with our man). Although its popularity may have waned over the years, the kitchen essential is back and better than ever thanks to the geniuses at SkinnyCrockPot.com.

Slow-cooked dishes are actually fab for the girl on the go as the Crock-Pot® does all the work for you while you’re at work. And now you, yourself can put a healthy spin on traditional Crock-Pot® recipes!

1. Skinny Turkey Stew, Texas Style

Everything is bigger in Texas and this hearty stew is huge on fantastic flavor. But with less than 200 calories per serving, it will fill you up without filling you out.

SKINNY TURKEY STEW, TEXAS STYLE

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 stalk celery, diced 


1/2 cup diced onion


1 clove garlic,

minced 
Olive oil (for sautéing)


2-3 cups turkey meat


1 cup sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes


2 carrots, peeled and sliced


1/2 teaspoon black pepper


1/8 teaspoon allspice


1 bay leaf


1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (more or less to taste)


1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (more or less to taste)


1 cup frozen peas (no sugar or salt added)


2 cups chicken broth (fat free, low sodium)


1 (14.5 oz.) can fire roasted tomatoes


Salt to taste

Directions
1. Sauté garlic, celery and onion in oil over medium-low heat until tender, about 5 minutes.

2. Add all the above ingredients to the slow cooker, stir to combine.

3. Cover and cook on low 8 hours or until carrots are tender.

NOTE: If you prefer not to sauté, simply leave out the olive oil and add the remaining ingredients to the crock pot, cover and cook as directed.

Minimum Crock-Pot Size: 5 quarts

Nutritional Information
Makes approximately 10 servings; 1 serving is 1/2 cup. Nutritional Content for 1 serving:
Calories: 183
Total Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Trans Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 47mg
Sodium: 253mg
Carbohydrates: 17g
Dietary Fiber: 4g
Sugars: 5g
Protein: 21g

Nutritional Information estimated at Nutritiondata.com. Data may not be accurate.

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Work Out In Bed

Jump start your mornings with these quickies

  What’s the best way to burn calories in bed?

OK, yes I totally know what you’re thinking and while I am definitely in favor of that…thanks to the help of Laurel House, aka The Quickie Chick, we ladies have a new way for you to get your burn on right in your very own bed!

Seriously! Laurel explains, “How many times have you gotten in bed only to realize that you ‘forgot’ to work out that day? Or what about when you wake up in the morning and you just can’t seem to motivate yourself to get out of bed because it’s too cold beyond the covers? Stop hitting snooze! Do butt squeezes instead.”

Sounds strange? Well it may be, but doing bed exercises in the morning will not only tone muscles but it will also get your heart pumping, blood flowing, and get you wide awake and ready for the day!

Think that the bed is just for sleep and sex? Laurel said, “I used to believe in that bed sanctity too. But the fact is that exercising in bed is a great place to get in a few minutes (even an entire hour) of exercise. At night I would get in bed and knew I hadn’t really gotten in my workout yet, so I started doing Pilates-style moves in bed while watching TV. The next day my thighs were seriously sore. Two weeks later they were slimmer.”

As the concept grew and Laurel’s body shrunk, she developed an entire workout plan done entirely in bed! Check out a few of her fave bed exercises in the easy to follow videos below:
FLAT ABS QUICKIE WORKOUT IN BED 

TRIM THIGHS QUICKIE WORKOUT IN BED 

SHAPELY ARMS QUICKIE WORKOUT IN BED 

xx, Beautyqueen 

BFF HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Stella & Dot Jewelry

No retail stores = no extra cost. Stella & Dot offers versatile pieces with an affordable price tag! With collaborations from Nancy Liebowitz, Lizzie Fortunato, and Maya Brenner, your friends will love showing off their new bling!

http://www.stelladot.com/design-studio/about-the-jewelry

DDF’s Revolve 400X

They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend but I’m partial to the Revolve! The cutting edge, super-portable resurfacing system polishes away imperfections, making skin look phenomenal. In fact, Revolve is shown to be more effective than a professional microdermabrasion. It’s a great gift if you can part with it!

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P263924&om_mmc=cse-Shopzilla&srccode=cii_10043468&cpncode=21-181615512-2

Tory Burch Lily Evening Bag

Glam up your fave girl’s look with this super-cute metallic clutch. This snake-embossed leather purse features a logo medallion at the front and will complement almost any look!

http://www.shopbop.com/lily-evening-bag-tory-burch/vp/v=1/845524441920104.htm?folderID=2534374302055387&fm=other-shopbysize-viewall&colorId=12208

Michael Kors iPhone Zip Wallet

I am in love with the uh-dorable python wallet that keep your cards, money and iPhone all in one super-chic place! The wallet is accented with gold hardware and a signature Michael Kors metal plaque.

http://www.michaelkors.com/p/MICHAEL-Michael-Kors-MICHAEL-Michael-Kors-iPhone-Zip-Wallet-Natural-Python-Small-Leather-Goods/prod14210003/

DRY CLEAN YOUR DO: Wash Your Hair Without Water

The ponytail…the headband…the big floppy hat…when there’s no time for a wash, we’ve all had to cover up our dirty hair.

But ladies, it’s finally time to let go of your boyfriend’s baseball cap thanks to one of the most ingenious and time-saving beauty products of all time: dry shampoo! This invention is even better than those little wheels on luggage.

Never used it before? Here’s the lowdown: Typically made from starch or talc, dry shampoo is designed to refresh your hair without water by absorbing excess oil. It’s not only extremely convenient, but also helps save your precious locks from excess heat damage and prevents colored hair from fading. Genius!

Expect to be fully hooked after trying one of our picks below. And when you develop a dependency on the stuff, don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Best all around: Batiste. Offered in several different spray formulas, including tropical scented and colored (for black or brown hair), these dry shampoos hold their own against luxury brand alternatives, at a quarter of the price.


Top volume-boosting: Got 2b Fat-tastic Fresh & Full Dry Shampoo. Freshen up your style and give your locks some extra oomph with this spray, which can be found at drugstores for around $6.


Most splurge-worthy: Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo. Made with rice and oat starches and tea tree oil, this loose powder is meant to clean the hair and nourish the scalp. But luxury will cost you — $19 for a 2.5-oz. bottle, to be exact.


xx, Beautyqueen