I was reading how you could use tea or coffee to dye dark hair. Its supposed to be a natural replacement for commercial hair dye. I have naturally dark brown hair that I dye black. Every 4-6 weeks I need a root touch up. I don't want to have to dye my hair that often (even if its only the roots with a 2-3 times a year full head dye job) as it is damaging so I decided to give this a go.
The recipe is simple. Basically the stronger the brew of the tea the stronger the dye. You need to use plain old tea bags- not green tea, as green tea is to light. Look for tea that contains orange pekoe and/or black. Orange pekoe is a black tea. I use a no-name brand I get at my local grocery. Its .99 cent for 100 bags and its the same tea I make iced tea with.
I boiled 2 cups of water and added 6 tea bags. I put it (including the tea bags) in a glass jar and let it sit overnight.
The next morning I poured it over my brushed yet unwashed hair. I worked it into my scalp, wrapped my hair up in a plastic bag and then a towel and let it sit for one hour.
I squeezed out the leftover teabags into a small cup with a squirt or two of my shampoo. Use whatever amount of shampoo you would normally use.
After the hour I shampooed, with the teabag/shampoo mix and conditioned my hair ( I use my semi-homemade coconut milk shampoo, which I previously posted on, and my coconout milk honey conditioning rinse, which I will post on later.)
I was shocked that it actually worked. Now there is not a major difference in color like you would get with commercial hair dye but my roots were noticably darker. If you are going from, lets say blond to dark hair, this isn't going to cut it. However, to freshen up already dark natural or dyed hair this is great. I need to see how long this will last but I am thinking this may really help me stretch some serious time between colorings. If I have to to this every week ( or even twice a week) it will be worth it to me. I wont do it daily a it is way to time consuming so I am hoping it will hold up through at least a few shampoos. I shampoo daily.
I am also planning on making a stronger "dye" next time. I will use 1 cup water to the 6 tea bags. I felt like the 2 cups was way to much to just do my roots. It drips everywhere and I felt I wasted half the mix and made a mess. You will make a mess anyway since this is only "tea water" and has no thickness whatsoever. It drips everywhere. That is why I wrapped my head in a plastic bag and then a towel, it really helped.
Im impresed, really, who wuld have thought little old tea bags could dye your hair!
I came across a few post that claim using a honey hair rinse as a cheap, homemade replacement for conditioner. Intrigued I just had to try it.
It is quite simple to do all you need is
1 tablespoon of honey
4 cups very warm/hot water
What I did was add the honey to a large, easy pourable container of hot water and stirred until the honey melted.
After shampooing ( I used my semi- homemade coconut milk shampoo - my previous post) You simply squeeze the excess water out of hair and dump the whole 4 cups of honey water over your head ( I avoided the front and top of my head as my roots are oily) and work it through hair. Let it sit while you do other shower things and rinse well.
After air drying ( I do not blow dry) I was quite impressed. With just honey and water my hair was soft and pretty shiny BUT, and thats a bit BUT, there were some issues.
First of after rinsing my hair was a bear to untangle. I had so many tangles I had to go very slow as not to pull out my hair.
Second, while my hair was soft and shiny my ends still were a bit dry and looked dull. I know thats weird to have both soft yet dry hair but that is exactly what happened. I applied my coconut oil as a leave in to remedy the dryness, which worked fine, but had to use a bit more than usual.
Third. I felt the whole 4 cup water thing was way to much. I have long hair (bra strap legnth) but its normal to thin in thickeness. I really could have just used a cup and been fine with that "rinse".
While I think this honey rinse is a decent conditoner alternative I think my hair needs a bit more on a daily basis, which is why I used this as a base for my coconut milk honey conditoning rinse that I will post on later as I need to perfect it.
While fishing around the web one day I came across a few recipes for homemade coconut milk shampoo. Most call for liquid castille soap which I don't use and won't buy so I experimented a bit and came up with the PERFECT shampoo for me.
I generally co-wash with a weekly shampoo but it never fails every 2-3 months or so I go back to a "normal" shampoo/ conditioner routine because I miss the feel of shampoo sudsing, then after a week I hate it, so I go back to co- wash, then back to shampoo, etc..
Finally I found the answer- Coconut milk shampoo.
The recipe is so so simple-
1/3 cup baby wash (not baby shampoo, I will explain why)
1/4 cup coconut milk (homemade- how-to to follow)
Stir gently together and pour in any old shampoo or squirt bottle. Shake before each use.
HOMEMADE COCONUT MILK-
1/2 cup shredded coconut
2-4 cup very hot water
Put coconut in blender, add 1 cup hot water, blend for 30 second to a minute ( I actually have a liquify button on my blender so thats the button I hit)
Strain through cheesecloth if you have it, if not a small holed strainer or even a coffee filter would work. I have flour sack towels so that is what I use.
Squeeze the pulp to get it to release more milk
Put the pulp back in the blender, add another cup water and repeat the process. Can repeat up to 4 times
I usually only do 2 "rounds" total because I blend the coconut so much by round 2 I'm left with basically coconut flour. If you blend gently, you can get 4 cups of coconut milk out of the original 1/2 cup coconut flakes.
Most recipes call for unsweetend coconut flakes but I only have sweetened coconut flakes at my local stores. Now they contain sugar (of course) but they also contain propylene glycol, which is a perservative in this case. Many regular shampoos and conditoiners contain propylene glycol as a humectant. So I have no problem using the sweetened coconut. I am hoping the propylene glycol actually will keep my milk fresher longer. This homemade coconut milk is thin, much like regular milk. I like it. You could use canned coconut milk (I have never) but I think that is probably much richer and thicker than the homemade so your results may be different. Plus the homemade is fun and cheaper.
Also, the reason I use baby wash instead of baby shampoo is that baby shampoo simply doesn't work for me. I have tried. It doesn't produce a lather I like and it seems hard to work through my hair. Plus I feel like I need to shampoo twice which is something I have long since gotten away from. Good baby shampoo (like Johnson's) only has very gentle cleansers which don't cut it for me. I want gentle but I still want clean.
Baby wash on the other hand, while still gentle, has more cleaning ability and produces a more bubbly lather. Most baby washes use sodium laureth sulfate somewhere on the ingredient list ( so do some cheap baby shampoos but if you don't want to scan all the labels just buy whatever baby wash you grab) If sodium laureth sulfate is first on the ingredient list its a stronger wash- I tend to purchase those that have it third on the list. Sodium laureth sulfate the only sulfate my hair likes. If you are anti-sulfate or sulfate free go ahead and try the baby shampoo but I feel the results are far, far (like 100 times) better with baby wash.
Using the shampoo my hair is soo soft, managable and moisturized. Plus its clean and I get my suds that I like so much. I use it along with my homemade coconut milk and honey conditioning rinse that I will post about later (I am still perfecting that recipie a bit) and my coconut oil as a leave in. This combo is giving me perfect hair, well, as perfect as my hair will get. Its soft, shiny, moisturized, feels thicker and looks better. The only downfall is my hair is very tangly after rinsing. There is no detangling agents in this homemade mix. So, I just take more time detangling. The results are worth it. I am on day four and I swear my hair keeps getting better daily which is something I can never ever say after day four. Usually by then I need a clarifier or I need to alternate my co-washing conditioner beacause my hair is greasy or flat or just plain "not right". Im sure I will need to clarify eventually (maybe a week maybe two) because the oils will eventually build up but so far I am one happy camper.
One last note- I have no idea how long this will stay fresh for. Coconut milk will eventually sour. This is why I make it such a small batch . I do double my recipie beacause it is watery and I use alot shampooing daily. I have no problem after four days but I don't know how far I can push it. Will update on that one later. So, your best bet is to do small batches more frequently. The homemade coconut milk itself will keep in the fridge at least a week . Since I use it both in my shampoo and conditioner I don't have much leftover anyway.
This recipe is just what works for me. I have normal to thin hair with oily roots and dry legnth and ends. My hair is long and has a slight wave. I do color it. There are many variations you could try. You could even use your own favorite shampoo and just use the coconut milk as an added moisturizing agent. You could lessen the shampoo, add more coconut milk, less coconut milk, mix 50/50 etc.
This may work great with Suave coconut shampoo as a double coconut whammy. Whatever, try it, have fun and your hair will thank you.
Product review - M.A.C. Russian Red lipstick
Well, this review is a bit off the beaten path. Russian Red is not by any means "Champagne Beauty on a Beer Budget" Its champagne beauty alright, but with a $15 price tag its not beer budget, at least not for me.
This lipstick costs only a buck or two less than my whole makeup regime combined. Is it worth it? Well, I would be here doing this review if it wasn't.
Russian Red is a very iconic lipstick, and for good reason. This lipstick is a beautiful true, blue based, classic, elegant red. It could work on many skin tones, as I feel it does lean a bit torward neutral. Its not a bright red, which I do tend to prefer a bit more, but its not a deep brownish , or blood red either.
Its creamy and very pigmented. It applies like a dream, so smooth and easy. It feels very light and even though its matte its not drying. On me it last all day. If I am having a long evening I may touch up after dinner or before going out but for the most part, for me, its really not needed. The color stays true - all day, never fading out or turning fushia, cherry or orange. If you do need to reapply it never feels heavy.
This is one of those red lipsticks that go with a cute little colorful sundress, jeans and a tee, or your most elegant evening gown. It also looks good with either a cat eye, neutral eyes or even a very soft smokey eye. I do red lips every single day and I can wear Russian Red every day if I wanted.
I have found this has a faint sweet vanilla scent but no "lipsticky" taste.
I have read many many posts about drugstore dupes for Russian red. Sorry, the ones I have tried will NOT replace Russian Red. I will address some of them. Please note, all of these lipsticks are not bad lipsticks, I actually like, even own and wear them, but they are NOT Russian Red
N.Y.C. Retro Red .99 cents - Much, much more orange than Russian Red, different texture- its a bit creamier. However, the color payoff just as good and it stay true. NOTE- if your willing to experiment you can mix Retro red with NYC Sheer Red and get a damn close color match for Russian red for $2.00, of course wear time and texture will be nowhere as close.
Covergirl Hot- This has been my go to lipstick since I've been on my red kick. I really like this lipstick. However its far from perfect. Compared to Russian Red the staying power is the same, maybe even better. ( I demand long wearing lipstick, I HATE to have to touch up all the time) The texture is close but Hot is heavier and thicker feeeling. Hot has a comparable but much stronger scent. Also my biggest problem with Hot is that it does not stay true. It goes on a poppy red and as the day wears on it turns more cherry red. If you touch up it can feel a bit heavy. In terms of actual shade Hot is still blue based but its brighter and while still fairly neutral it pulls coral/poppy red. The shade is NOT a classic red like Russian red.
Wet-n-Wild Stoplight red- Now this is always mentioned as an exact dupe for MAC Ruby Woo (Russian Reds sister which now I am itching to buy - argghhh!)). However, if I had to pick out of all of them, I think this the closest to Russian Red, its not an exact clor match (none are) but it is a blue based red, just a brighter and truer classic red. Swatched on skin Russian red looks browner than both this and Hot. However, Stoplight Red feels the same and stays true. Its nowhere near as stay put as Russian Red but its only 2 dollars and its a great little lipstick.
I have to give mention to Revlon. I do not own any Revlon lipsticks so cannot make a true call but I have seen so many posts that claim Revlons matte Really Red and the super lusturous Certainly Red are good dupes for Russian Red, so they may be worth checking out.
All in all I am glad I splurged and bought Russian Red. I ordered directly from MAC and it was free shipping and I got it in 3 days. Not bad. Now $15 bucks, in my opinion, a bit overpriced, but it is a fantastic lipstick and I will reorder when I have a bit of extra money to treat myself. Its worth it to have in your red lipstick collection.
Finding the perfect red lipstick - Part 3
Well , we have come to part three of finding the perfect red lipstick. Unfortunately , my super cheapy finds have not worked perfectly for me.
Oh, some could work, but when it comes to lipstick (especially red lipstick) I am very, very picky.
Therefore, I have moved on to more expensive, yet still reasonable drugstore lipstick finds.
My two favorite are L'oreal's "British Red " and Covergirls "Hot."
Now, both run about $6.00 to $8.00 at most places. Walmart is the cheapest. These lipsticks are much more expensive than what I would normally look at. I got "Hot" for around $3.00 because its about $6.00 at Walmart and I had a $3.00 off coupon."British Red" still cost me $7.00 with a $1.00 off coupon at Rite-Aid.
Both of these lipsticks are easily found at most mass market retailers or drugstores. Many drugstores like Rite-aid or Walgreens offer a b.o.g.o 50% off often. Quite often I have found Hot sold out at many places .
"British Red" from L'oreal is a gorgeous, creamy, lightweight, non-drying, shiny, satin finish corally red. I LOVE THIS SHADE. It makes me feel "rich" and sophisticated. However, it can pull orangey and is not a true red (in my opinion). Also, it is not long wearing enough for me. You need to apply this multipe times and touch up often to maintain its richness. Since I am used to wearing matte lipsticks this is a bit to "sheer" and glossy for me, even though I love the lightweight non-drying feeling of it. If this was a .99 cent to a $2.00 lipstick I might deal with the downfalls but not for $7.00. Sorry. I am way cheap and really, really hard to please. I want RED but am not willing to be high mainteance to look high maintenace. HAA!! (and it is possible)!
Covergirl's "Hot". Well, this baby is my (so far) all time winner for cheap red lipsticks. Why? well, its rich, creamy, dries to a long lo-o-ong lasting matte, yet non-drying finish. I can literally apply this in the morning an never touch up. I mean never (14 hrs). The color is great. Pat Mcgrath, the makeup artist for Covergirl, used this on 40+ different models in a spring 2013 fashion show. (sorry, I don't remember which one). I figured if 40+ models of all different skin tones could wear it so could I. Taylor Swift also uses this color. Plus, I have read its a close dupe to the famous MAC Russian Red.
Now, "Hot " does have a few downfalls. First, it doesn't seem true to shade all the time. Let me explain. On me it applies a vibrant poppy, yet still neutral, red. ( Its a blue red with a hint of coral). However, sometimes it can set up as a more cherry red (more truly cool blue based). Its sort off odd, but I still think it can work for alot of skin tones. If I apply it very heavy it seems to stay true to the poppy shade (which I prefer). But, applied heavily it can bleed (badly)and get on teeth. This lipstick is creamy but very heavy. It also stains. I mean it stains badly. I have to scrub, scrub , scrub my lips to remove it all and sometimes I wake up in the morning and my husband says "You forgot to take off your lipstick last night". I love longlasting lipsticks and have gotten used to the stain other than the fact it can be drying and if you don't remove it before the next application the next application won't go on evenly or true.
All in all, Covergirl's "Hot" is my go to drugstore red lipstick. I own 3 tubes (so far), wear it every single day, and only stock up when its on sale and with coupons. Despite its downfalls it is a fix it and forget it high impact lipstick, which is what I want.
Someday I may really splurge and buy the famous MAC Russian Red or Ruby -Woo ( That wouldn't be very beer budget of me now would it) but for now Hot is my perfect red lipstick.
Homemade deoderant! Say what?! Give it a try!
This is not a subject I would generally dive into. However, I really feel like I must. For most people, I would assume , applying deoderant is a daily function , just like showering, brushing your teeth, doing your makeup, etc... You don't really think about it , you just do it, its part of your daily routine. Well for me, and I don't think I am alone, deoderant is somewhat of a preoccupation. Face it, no one wants to stink, and well, some of us may feel we smell more than others.
I, for one, think I am one of those "smelly" people, weather it is actually true, or just a perception of mine, it bothers me. I, in the past 30 years, have tried every deoderant on the grocery store shelves at one time or another and still am not happy. ( The exception is Certian Dry. It works, but its it's expensive and gives me a rash). I have resigned myself to using Suave. Now, there is nothing wrong with Suave, with coupons I get it for like 40 cents. You can't beat that. It works as good as the rest. However, I still have to apply it twice a day not to be stinky, ( even more in the hot summer ) , and deal with the heavy scent (though Suave's scents are nice) . It's frustrating and sort of gives me a complex.
After reading hundreds of posts and articles I have come to realize that baking soda and cornstarch deoderant has a huge following. It has almost a 100% satisfaction rate. Honestly, I thought it was unbelievable and just for those "crazy green, modern day hippies", until I tried it myself.
I mixed 1 teaspoon of baking soda to 2 teaspoons of cornstarch. This should last me least a week ( I am way-y-y heavy handed), and I did it at such a small amount as a trial basis because I honestly didn't think it would work.
I mixed it well and put in in a ornate antique ceramic makeup jar that was my grandmothers because, A. I wanted to disguise it and, B. It looked pretty on my vanity. You can put it in anything you want , a jar, a tupperware container, as long as its sealed.
After showering and while I was in my towel and my armpits were damp, but not soaking wet, I dusted quite a large amount on using an old fluffy makeup brush. I applied it just like I was powdering my face. You could use your fingers to apply if you don't have a brush, I just thought the brush was quicker, more sanitary, and more uniform in application.
Now, this IS messy. Its like any other powder, it kind of goes everywhere if your not slow and presise in application (which I am not). Being skeptical I put a ton on and had quite a bit of transfer on my shirt when I got dressed. (Again, apply it directly after showering, before you get dressed).
I was shocked that I could remove the residue on my shirt with a damp cloth. Normally, if I would have gotten regular deoderant stains on my clothes I would have had to change.
I AM AMAZED. Its 10+ hours and I have zero sweat and ZERO odor. I am 100% "stink" free. I smell NOTHING. And I mean 100% NOTHING. When I use traditional deoderant I smell something at at least hour 4 (if I am lucky- most of the time its hour 2). Usually its a combination of the deoderant and "stink". Never, ever, ever have I been able to go this long an smell nothing. Truly, my mind is blown, and that is the only reason I am doing this post.
I have found most comercial deoderants are heavily scented to mask the "stink" smell. The unscented versions, even those for men, simply don't mask b.o. . I don't want to smell -period and I really don't want to smell my deodrant. If I want to smell I use my perfume, (thats why I have perfume ) not my deoderant.
The only draw back to this deoderant recipe is that the baking soda may cause a rash on some people. That is why I made such a small batch. Most posts I have read that complain of a rash is after a week or so. If you try this and experience any rash, itchyness or discomfort, up the cornstarch by one, whatever- your- equal -measurement, is to the baking soda, until you find the perfect recipe for you.
I personally do not see myself going back to commercial deoderant - ever, and this is only after one day. Trust me I am such a skeptic! This cost me pennies, does not stain my clothes, leaves me 100% dry, and is truly unscented. What is not to like ? If you don't like it no harm, no foul - go to the store and buy a stick of Secret or Suave or Dove or whatever.
HOMEMADE RED LIP TINT
I happen to love red lips, however, red lipstick can be high maintenance and look, well, high maintenance and made up . I have been on a homemade kick lately. With that said, I have been researching online for homemade makeup alternatives and have seen plenty of posts about using kool-aid as a lip stain. Honestly, I was like "What, no way! A perfect red lip for less than 25 cents that lasts all day! Your crazy!" It's to good to be true. Well, sort of . Let me explain.
Most posts call for you to simply open a pack of red kool-aid (I use the Tropical Punch flavor as it gives me the best red color), wet a q-tip or your finger (beware it will stain your finger if you do this) and rub it on your lips, let dry, dust off leftover crystals and go. Simple, right. Well, yes, but there is a terrible downside.
First, unsweetened kool-aid in the little packs taste not so good, its bitter, and it BURNS, yes, it burns your lips. Well, at least it burns mine, and it burns something awful. Sorry, I don't like burning lips. On top of that, its so messy.
So being as stubborn as I am, I was determined to make this work, and save me a small fortune in red lipstick (although I do love my red lipstick and have no problem spending a few dollars on it).
There are plenty other posts online about making a kool-aid lip balm by using a pack of kool-aid added to a tub of melted vaseline and viola! Lip balm. Hmmmm, I'm thinking about combining this idea, Ohhhh yeah, this may just work.
Here we go,
1 tablespoon of vaseline (petroleum jelly)
I get the generic at the dollar store for a dollar, its all the same for this.
1 full packet of tropical punch kool-aid
( I use tropical punch because it gives me the best true red, you can try whatever you like. Mind you, the finished product is not the same shade as what it turns out as on your lips. To know the true color of the kool-aid "lipstick" , add a drop of water to a bit of the plain kool-aid. When the kool-aid meshes with the water, that gives you the true shade.)
( 1 packet of unsweetened kool-aid equals 1 1/4 teaspoons just in case you were wondering. Yes, I actually measured. Sorry , I am kind of O.C.D.)
1/2 teaspoon of sugar (this is optional but trust me, kool-aid unsweetened tastes awful and again, it BURNS! The bit of sugar is more than worth it)
tooth picks
small glass bowl
little container for finished tint-
I used old Smiths Rosebud Salve tin I had saved because I liked the tin, but any old lipgloss pot, lipstick tube, chapstick tube, or old eye cream pot would work. If you don't have one of these go to the dollar store, any tiny container would work. Fact is, I may make lip balm for my nieces next Christmas and the dollar store has a 10 pack of small "tupperware" containers for a dollar. They have both round and square. They are slightly bigger than a standard lipgloss pot but for the price I don't care.
Lets get to it!
Melt vaseline in a glass container, in the microwave, for 2 minutes. It will not look melted. Stir with a toothpick (trust me, tooth picks make much eaiser clean up because you just throw the tooth pick away) the vaseline will melt when stirred.
Next, add the sugar slowly and stir, stir, stir. Again, optional, but I won't make it without it.
Then, VERY SLOWY add the kool-aid and stir, stir, stir. If you add the kool-aid too quickly you will get "clumps" that WILL NOT MELT and you have to throw it all away. Slow is the key.
If the vaseline starts to set back up, put back in microwave for 20 seconds. Pull out and stir, stir, stir. Put back in for another 20 seconds if needed and-----
Stir, stir, stir. Then stir some more and more and more.
Pour into your container of choice and put in fridge for about an hour or let set up at room temp. over night.
To use- apply to DAMP lips with a BRUSH. If your lips are bone dry you won't get any color (the kool-aid needs "water" to form color) and if you use your fingers it will stain- badly, again, this is a stain.
I actually use a $1 E.L.F. essentials concealer brush, that I got at Kmart as my lipbrush.
I was shocked by the color I got. It was a bright, yet natural red, but still red, realy red shade that actually looked as good as my red lipstick, just more "real".
I am trying to perfect this recipe because it came out very, very gritty. (that is why I am enforcing the whole stir, stir, stir thing.) I have to lick and rub my lips together to melt the grit and give it full color. However, it is much, much more gentle and user friendly than using straight kool-aid as a stain. I don't think I stirred enough during my " I-got-it- almost-right" batch because I got impatient. I wasted 7 packs of kool-aid and a half a tub of vaseline trying to get this recipe down. Its still not perfect but if you want a cheap, yet, better alternative to the plain kool-aid lip tint seen on Pinterest or other posts try this.
I will use this daily all summer long. ( I wear red lipstick every single day) Its great for my less formal functions , like B-B-Q's, boating or motorcyle rides, when my full on red lipstick looks a little out of place.
To be honest, I don't know yet if this is going to be a permanent replacement for my regular red lipstick and some of you may say "Oh girl, your nuts!! I'm just gonna spend the $ for my lipstick cuz' this ain't worth the trouble". But, if you want something long lasting, a bit more natural, and dirt cheap (com'on its pennies compared to at least $2.00- $5.00 for a decent cheap drugstore red lipstick), it may be worth the try. It can be a bit messy and the kool aid can stain everything. I recomend putting newspaper or a plastic bag down on your work area. Plus to wash the vaseline out of your glass container is a greasy mess. Nevertheless, I am very pleased with the finished product when it 's all said and done.
