Inexpensive Solutions for Sensitive Ears

My sensitive ears made it nearly impossible to find cute, affordable earrings that didn’t hurt or cause an infection so I hope my “discoveries” help those of you with a similar affliction. The first step in the process is determining what type of metals one’s ears are not sensitive to—for some, this may only be gold or sterling silver; the only way to know for certain is to experiment and gauge for a reaction. The majority, like myself, are only sensitive to nickel. Also, please don’t dismiss the role of proper hygiene, such as disinfecting your earrings with alcohol, in the prevention of infection.

Be on the lookout for earrings labeled “nickel-free” or “for sensitive ears” when shopping for earrings that are not at least 14k gold or sterling silver, they shouldn’t cause problems for all but the most sensitive of ears. Obviously, you should remove your earrings at the first sign of discomfort or infection no matter how cute they may be.

Target— The Xhiliration line of earrings is labeled nickel free and features constantly updated stock that reflect the trends of the season. Target would be my first choice when searching for something funky or vintage-inspired. The majority of the pieces are no more than $10 per pair.

Claire’s—My only qualm is Claire’s limited and frequently juvenile stock. I have found a few great pairs of simple hoops and studs but for the most part, the earrings here do not really fit my taste. The pairs I have purchased have gotten a lot of use and have not caused me any problems. Claire’s often has buy two, get one free offers so you can everything you want at once.

Sally Beauty Supply—I’ve recently discovered that Sally’s stock of hypoallergenic earrings meant for piercing is also rather cute! While the variety is limited in comparison to Target’s, the studs and small shapes tend to be more practical for daily wear. The best part is the price, most pairs are significantly less than $5! The earrings are typically located within a plastic display case but don’t let that fool you, the Sales Associates will gladly open the case to allow you to see the earrings inside.

If you should discover that you are only able to wear gold or sterling silver, you can still find great deals on 14k jewelry at retailers such as Ross, Marshall’s and TJMaxx.

Image Credit: Target.com, Sallybeauty.com

Huge Halloween Sale At Sally's!

Ready? Set? Get to clipping! Sally Beauty Supply's circular is full of amazing discounts on their already low prices. If there was a Sally's product you've been waiting for a sale to purchase, it will likely be on sale now! Just navigate to the "In Store Specials" section of the Sally's website, www.sallybeauty.com, and see all the great deals. Did I mention the 2 for $10 deals on eyelashes? Perfect for Halloween, right? It sure beats the paying more than that for one set...um...elsewhere. And in case you were wondering, the lashes are great quality.

Save On China Glaze With Coupon!

I'm feeling a little down in the dumps today so I will keep this entry short and sweet. I received this coupon in an e-mail and decided to share it with all of my (2) readers. It's a pretty great deal considering the fact that China Glaze already retails for only $3.25 (with a Sally's Card). If you have yet to try the China Glaze line this is the perfect excuse. I will be buying one of the vampy shades from the Rodeo Diva collection to match my dark mood.


Coupon Source: Sally Beauty Supply

Maintain Your Hair With Cream of Nature

Exorbitant prices at the salon combined with a terrible economy has made some of us dye hard "blondes" return to our natural brunette; what else can be done to trim the proverbial fat off our maintenance routine? If you haven't considered it in the past, now is the time to keep your hair as healthy as possible to extend the life of your hair color (if you dye) and increase the interval of time you can go without a trim by guarding against split ends.

How frustrating is it to see your expensive dye job go down the drain every time you wash your hair? How tired are you of seeing your highlights turn yellow or orange a month or so after getting foils? The reason for this happening is the harsh ingredients (such as sulfates--any ingredient with the suffix "sulfate" such as sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, etc.) that strip the color out once your hair cuticle is opened with the heat and steam when you shower. These harsh detergents attach to your hair shaft and wash away your natural hair oils along with the color resulting in hair that feels dry and flat.

Creme of Nature is designed for relaxed hair and is sulfate-free. It truly is a creamy, conditioning shampoo and delivers upon its claims to condition and cleanse all at the same time. While it does leave one's hair feeling conditioned, I suggest you use a moisturizing conditioner anyway because the protein in the formula may build up and leave hair feeling dry otherwise (*An Aside on Protein: it is good for your hair in small quantities and absolutely must be followed by moisture since the hair structure is a combination of a protein layer combined with moisture--water. If you use a protein mask regularly, it may not be necessary if you plan to wash your hair with Creme of Nature more than a couple of times per week). This is another one of those inexpensive miracle products that one expects to find in a designer haircare line but it can be purchased at Sally's at a price of $6 for a 15.2 ounce bottle. Be sure to get the REGULAR FORMULA (for normal hair) as the other variations in this line have inferior ingredients. Speaking of ingredients, they are:

Water, Trideceth-7 Carboxylic Acid, Decyl Glucoside, Glycol Stearate, Polyquaternium-10, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract (this is just plain ol' aloe), Hydrolyzed Milk Protein (*don't forget to moisturize!), Honey, Citrus Medica Limonium (lemon extract), Triticum Vulgare (wheat germ oil), Abies Balsamea Resin, Pectin (according to Wikipedia, pectin helps to bind cells together and regulates water in the plant), Lecithin, Foeniculum Vulgare (fennel extract), Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract, Commiphora Abyssinica Extract, Origanum Marjorana Leaf Extract, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Fragrance, Disodium EDTA, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Quarentium-15, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Red 4, Yellow 5, Red 33, Blue 1

Creme of Nature made my hair feel clean but not the slightest bit dry. But on a less than stellar note, this does smell like your grandmother's old Chanel No. 5 (a.k.a. rat poisoning). Luckily, the scent did not remain in my hair after it dried. All the more reason to use a conditioner afterwards ;).

Brushes on a Budget--Part 1

As the title may imply, I plan to create multiple posts relating to brushes. I am a firm believer that the types of brushes one should own depends not only on budget and the makeup looks you plan to achieve but your specific eye shape (more on this to come). That being said, for those just staring their brush collection or looking to add a does-it-all eyeshadow brush, the Eye Counter brush by Face Secrets (available at www.sallybeauty.com) is a good choice. This work horse has been in my collection since my unhealthy obsession with makeup began. Originally purchased for being "cute" and "fluffy," this brush has not shed a single hair in the 5+ years I've washed it on a daily basis!

What makes it so versatile? The fluffy base can deliver a sheer wash of color when used in a side-to-side windshield wiper motion or pack on the shadow when pressed into the eyelid. The tapered end creates a precise crease shape without stabbing you in the eye! Bonus! It's soft enough not to damage your sensitive lid area but dense enough to do just about anything you need. And for approximately $5, you can get a pretty decent tool without spending very much. Enjoy!