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Site to See: Instructables

General | 22 July 2011

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What do hosting your own cheese party, how to survive being stranded,  and making musical underwear all have in common?
 
These little tasks are just a few of the thousands and thousands of things you can learn to do on Instructables.com!
 
 
You can start by making an Ice Cream Sundae Plush! Or go crazy and submit your own idea to the gigantic cache of useful and quirky projects. The last time I looked, you could learn to make your own prescription swimming goggles, a steampunk toy set, or cake sushi, just from the front page!
 
Clockwise from left: 6 ways Baking Soda can get you a date & Musical Underwear & Host a Cheese Tasting Party & How to Survive Being Stranded
 
Are you a do-it-yourselfer? What sort of tips have you got to share?
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Wedding Bells: DIY Make-up for a Natural Look

Beauty | 11 July 2011

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Wedding bells were ringing . . . and ringing, as my groom waited nervously at the altar for his do-it-yourselfer bride to arrive.
 
Choosing to have our wedding in an extremely remote part of California meant I wasn’t going to have a make-up artist. A few weeks before the wedding I appealed to my sister for help and together we created a look that I loved, and would also work well for pictures.
 
What they tell you about wedding pictures: Cake on the make-up. Wear waaaaay more foundation and everything than you would in real life.
 
What I decided on: I just felt too uncomfortable greeting my family and friends in a flesh-colored mask of paint. I decided to go with a medium to light coverage of foundation, concealer under the eyes and pops of color on the cheeks and eyelids. It’s a very subdued, natural look indeed, but no one can say I wasn’t a blushing bride!
 
Here is my entire palette laid out for you with one exception: item 7 1/2 was my favorite Revlon Perle Eyeshadow in Sunlit Sparkle (an almost white shimmer that was too loved to photograph).
 
Clear skin was my friend that day, and I had a simple but strict regimen of washing my face twice a day with none other than St. Ive’s Apricot Scrub. The entire application of my make-up took about 5 minutes, and while I did use a brush for item 6, almost everything else was applied with fingertips!
 
 Face:
1. Smashbox Photo Finish Facial Primer 2. Smashbox Sheer Focus tinted Moisturizer 3. M.A.C. Studio Fix Fluid 4. M.A.C. Studio Finish Concealer 5. Smashbox Creamy Cheek Color & Brush 6. M.A.C. Magically Cool Liquid Powder in Honey Rose
 
How To: Moisturize (2), Prime (1), then cover your face evenly with a comfortable amount of foundation (3).
 
Touch up with concealer (4); I used M.A.C.’s heavy duty concealer to eliminate dark circles under my eyes.
 
Finish with a soft helping of blush (5) and a light swath of shimmery powder (6) along cheeks.
Eyes:
 

7. Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer  8. Smashbox Eye-Beam Double-Ended Brightener 9. Smashbox Eye Shadow in Ambient 10. Smashbox Hyperlash Mascara in Blackout
 
For eyes: Prime (7) and cover with a light eye shadow (7 1/2).
 
I used the eye brightener (8) along my upper lid and the inside corners of my eyes.
 
Dab a bit of gold at the corners of lids (9) and finish with plenty of mascara!
 
 
Lips:
11. Smashbox Limitless Lip Stain and Color Seal Balm in Petal
 
Lips: Pretty self-explanatory. I probably could have used a touch-up before pictures though, I think I smooched a bunch off at the ceremony!
 

 
Do you have any favorite looks for wedding make-up?
 
 
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How To: Fix a Broken Compact

Beauty | 20 April 2011

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How many times have you dropped your favorite eyeshadow, blush, bronzer, or powder?

If you happen to be as klutzy as I am, then the answer is too many times to count! Well, no need to be heartbroken that your makeup is in pieces; you can fix it, and it is really simple! The best part is there are no fancy tools required! When I learned this trick I was so thrilled, I wanted to shout it from the rooftops. However, I am kindof scared of heights, so I will just share it with you here instead!

Here is a video from one of my favorite beauty gurus and professional makeup artist, Kandee Johnson, that shows you step-by-step how to do it! WARNING: You might just fall in love with Kandee’s heartwarming personality and end up watching all of her videos on YouTube like I have!

Just so you know, you can fix any size or shape compact. All you need is to find a pressing tool that can get into the corners if, for example, it is square. I hope this trick is useful to you and hopefully, you never have to throw away another broken compact again!

If you want more tips from Kandee, check out her YouTube Channel or her site!
 
What do you think? Will you try to fix any broken make-up?
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How To: Make Your Own Eye Makeup Remover

Beauty | 13 April 2011

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Hi everyone! I’m Samantha, a new marketing intern here at Lulu*s, and cute clothing is just one of the many things that excite me! Makeup is another hobby of mine, and having worked at a makeup counter, I have learned tons of do-it-yourself tricks that save me a lot of time and money. Let me share one of my favorites with you: how to make your own (natural) eye makeup remover!
 
This is incredibly simple and one of the best money-saving beauty tricks I have ever learned; plus, the olive oil you use is a natural conditioner for your lashes!
 
Step 1:
  Gather the supplies. You will need a small bottle with a cap; you can most likely find this in the cosmetics department of any drug store. (Usually, they are in the bins with all of the travel size shampoos and soaps). Next, pick up some witch hazel and some extra virgin olive oil. If you just have regular olive oil in your cabinet at home that will work fine too!

 

 Step 2:
Time to mix! Create a 50/50 mixture of olive oil and witch hazel and fill up your empty bottle! Shake it up and voila! You have an all-natural (not to mention inexpensive) eye makeup remover!
 
One more quick tip:
Just dip the end of a Q-tip in the mixture to wipe away any smudges or mistakes you might make while doing your makeup! 

 
 
Happy removing!

Do you have any beauty tricks of your own? Please share in the comments below!

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Make Your Own Sundried Tomatoes!

General | 30 September 2010

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Everyone knows that tomatoes are really the best in summertime, so what to do the rest of the year when the rain is pouring and you’re craving a tangy tomato?
Well have I got the answer for you! Dry your own tomatoes easily and inexpensively at home, or even on your apartment balcony!

I use a homemade screened box that allows circulation around the drying fruit. Try making your own or just use a cookie sheet!

Plum or Roma style tomatoes work the best but feel free to experiment!

 
 
Here is what you need:
1. Hot and dry weather
2. Screened box, food safe platter or cookie sheet
3. Roma style tomatoes
4. Knife and cutting board

Directions:
Slice the tomatoes lengthwise being careful not to cut all the way through the skin. Slice larger tomatoes into quarters and smaller ones in half as shown.


Lay them on your drying surface under plenty of sun for 1-2 weeks, until they are fully dry with no more squishy parts!

Tip: After drying, I freeze the tomatoes for 2 weeks. (This keeps anything from growing on them). Store the finished tomatoes in a sealed jar.

Using Your Dried Tomatoes: Pour boiling water over your tomatoes and let sit for 10 minutes. Use them in green salads, appetizers, chicken salad sandwiches and more!
 

See tomatoes before (right) and after!
 
Do you have any favorite ways to use sundried tomatoes?
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