DIY How to Get Rid of Dark Elbows and Knees

Happy Friday beauties! Today's DIY is all about how to get rid of dark elbows and knees. I know that people with darker skin tones (like myself) have this problem. I not only have dark elbows but also dry elbows to top it off.

Here's what you need:
- Lemon
- Baking Soda (If you use Option 2 below)

Option 1 (I saw my mother doing this, she's a great inspiration!) - Take the lemon and cut it in half. Place your elbow on the slices for 15 minutes. Then repeat with another lemon with your knees.

Option 2 - Squeeze out the juice from the lemon into a small bowl. Then add 1/4 cup of baking soda into the bowl to make a paste. Apply this mixture to your elbows and knees and let it dry for 10 minutes. Then rinse off in the shower.

Product Review: Long Lasting Liquid Eyeliner

So those of you that know me personally know that 99.99% of the time I wear liquid eyeliner versus pencil eyeliner. I prefer liquid over pencil since it doesn't smudge and it pretty much lasts all day until I wipe it off with makeup remover.

Over the weekend I was on the hunt for a budget friendly liquid liner and found one that I really liked at Sephora. It's from the Sephora Collection and it's the Long Lasting Eyeliner High Precision Brush (retails for $11.00). The tip is super-fine so it doesn't draw a thick, messy line nor does it smudge. It's pretty much long lasting and the color is deep black and highly pigmented. I'm able to use it for both work and nights out.  For work I use a super thin line (as you can see in the second picture below) and then for night time I make a winged eye.

DIY Cracked Heel Remedy for Smooth Feet

Happy Friday beauties! I haven’t had much “me” time in a while since I’ve been working weekends and every time the weekend rolls around I tell myself that I need to get a pedicure so I can get rid of my dry, cracked heels. But why waste $30 per pedicure and wait around to have someone else do it for you when you can do it yourself! Everyone knows I love a good DIY!

What you need:
- Water
- Epsom Salt (or Milk)
- Vaseline (or Olive Oil)
- Socks
- Scissors

In a large bowl filled with warm water, add Epsom salt or milk (this if full of magnesium which helps to draw out dryness). Soak your feet in the water mixture for 15-20 minutes. After soaking your feet, use a pumice stone to remove the dead skin.

As an added bonus, to lock in moisture, use a quarter-size amount of Vaseline or olive oil and slather onto your heel. Cut out the toe area off on the socks and wear the socks overnight. In the morning you will have soft heels!

Product Review: Goodbye to Pale Winter Legs

So this time of year my legs get extremely pale from being hidden under layers and layers of clothing. Then when it's time to go out on the weekend and I put on a party dress, out emerge two pale and flaky looking legs. I decided to take action and on my way home from work last week I picked up the Jergens Natural Glow which is a body lotion that claims to moisturize while creating a natural glow at the same time. It also claims to be oder-free and creates a glow in under three days!

I used the lotion all over my legs after showering and also let the lotion dry before dressing. This prevents the lotion from streaking and enables your legs to tan evenly.   It is also important to wash your hands afterwards. After three days I noticed a noticeable glow on my legs.  Overall I like this product as it creates a gradual natural-looking tan. It does need to be applied daily (just like you would apply body lotion) to maintain your tan. Lastly, the lotion did not smell bad!

DIY Oatmeal, Yogurt, Honey Facemask

We all know that facemasks you buy from the store contain chemicals and preservatives. Which is why I prefer to make my facemasks at home with all natural ingredients. This oatmeal-yogurt-honey mask will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth and will also brighten your complexion. Plus (as an added bonus) the ingredients can be found in your fridge and pantry.

What you need:
- 1/4 Cup Oatmeal (if you have a food processor I would grind the oatmeal into small pieces)
- 2 Tablespoons Honey
- 3 Tablespoons Plain Yogurt (Yes I used homemade yogurt, however, any plain yogurt is okay to use)

Here's what you do. Mix all three ingredients together then apply a layer to your face and relax for 15 minutes. And by relax I mean lay down as you don't want the mask dripping off your face. Rinse the mask off using warm water and a wash cloth by gently rubbing the mask off your face to let the oatmeal act as an exfoliant.

Oatmeal not only acts as a gentle exfoliant, it also soothes out itchy skin conditions and dryness. Yogurt contains enzymes and lactic acid to hydrate and soothe your skin. And lastly, honey contains antioxidants and heels infections.