Hi there! After years of drinking coffee, my teeth have yellowed greatly. I don’t want to spend a lot of money to whiten them — it’s just not in the budget. Have any at-home brightening remedies? - Brenda
Hello Brenda!
While most professional whitening options are effective, they sure are expensive. Trust us, we know. As fellow coffee drinkers ourselves, we’re always looking for ways to keep our smile at its brightest. To do so at home, we use three easy-to-find products, for a DIY that’ll cost you under $5! You’ll need: 1 teaspoon baking soda, 4 drops of hydrogen peroxide, and a cotton ball.
Simply combine all the ingredients together to make a paste. Dip a cotton ball into the concoction and rub onto teeth (avoiding your gums). Allow the formula to sit for 5 minutes, then rinse with warm water!
Hello. Allergy season has left me with dark circles and a red nose. Which product(s) do you recommend? - Katy
Hi Katy,
Oh, we feel you in the allergy department! Watery eyes and sniffling noses are in full effect around here, but lucky for all, we've found six different concealers to camouflage any areas that may need it. Click here for our favorite concealers, but as always, looking good starts from within, so be sure to rest up and drink plenty of water!
Hi ladies! If you could choose one staple piece for spring, what would it be?
Simply put — the denim jacket is the 'it' item of the season. While it's not new to the scene, it versatility makes it today's ideal transitional item — pairing seamlessly with everything from pants and warm boots to a flirty skirt and pumps. The best part? You can nab a killer denim jacket at every price point. Happy shopping.
Dear Jessica, Where can I buy the sponge rollers Althea Harper had in the DIY Hair tutorial?
Dear Anonymous,
We’re so glad you enjoyed the tutorial on how to achieve glam waves while you sleep just as much as we did! Effortless beauty has truly never been easier, right? The sponge rollers you seek can be found at any beauty supply store. Be sure to watch the video again, to ensure bombshell-like tresses. Good luck!
Would it be safe for me to buy makeup at the dollar store? – Anonymous
Dear Anonymous,
I’m not going to tell you not to shop for cosmetics at the dollar store, but I will say that you’ll get what you pay for. Trust me, I’m all about getting a good bargain, but there are certain things I don’t suggest scrimping on. Remember, anything you put on your skin will eventually soak into your skin. Some of the products you’ll find at your local buck boutique contain harmful additives like Lanolin, Mineral Oil, and Talc – three things you don’t want in your bod. Cosmetically speaking, these babies may not pack the staying power you want from your makeup either.
My suggestion: go to the drugstore. Here, you’ll find great products at even greater prices. Are they as cheap as dollar store tags? No. But, you're not going to spend and arm and a leg here either. Shopping here will ensure your skin stays healthy and happy — that goes for your budget too. Click here to check out our favorite drugstore beauty buys!
*If you do shop at the dollar store, be sure to check products for their expiration dates and make sure the seal isn’t broken.
Dear Jess, What are your tips for jazzing up a wardrobe without spending too much money? – Addison
Dear Addison,
Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize. One of my favorite must-have pieces of the season is the statement necklace. You could pair this item with the simplest of outfits, jeans and a white t-shirt, and make it look swanky and spectacular. We recently published a story on head-turning necklaces boasting shocking low sticker prices under $15! At this price, you can afford to dress up your entire wardrobe without busting your budget. Check out the stylish products here!
Dear Jessica, I’m looking to purchase a new fall scent. Have any suggestions on perfumes that are popular for fall? Thanks! – Kelsey
Dear Kelsey,
Yes, I certainly do! Two of my favorite scents right now are Viva La Juicy La Fleur by Juicy Couture and ‘Nicole’ by Nicole Richie. Both are strong and alluring, which are two things I look for when investing a signature spritzer. However, every gal has a different preference when it comes to this type of purchase; some like them fun and flirty, while others prefer them to be more seductive and mysterious. So, I suggest you take a look at our fall fragrance guide. Here, we name the top 10 scents of the season and explain in detail how each one smells, meaning you’ll be able to find one to flatter your style and personality the best. Smell ya later!
Dear Jess, I always seem to have clogged pores. Scrubs and on the spot treatments havent worked, they are still dirty! Help!
Dear Anonymous,
The clearing and prevention of blackheads is somewhat of a never ending process, but it doesn't have to be a stressful one. I've been battling these bad boys my entire life and I have a shelf full of products to prove it. What I have found to work best is to cleanse with keratolytics. These products contain effective ingredients such as glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and retinoids (Retin A), which break up the dead skin cells that settle into your pores and create these unsightly little suckers. I also use a deep pore cleansing mask once a week to really nip ‘em in the bud. One I suggest you try is Origins’ Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores, $23. For a super simple at-home remedy try the mother of all natural exfoliators – baking soda. Mix 1 teaspoon baking soda with 3 teaspoons water to form a paste, rub it on your face, then rinse with warm water. Baking soda is a fabulous ingredient to sloth off dead skin cells and improve skin’s glow. I hope this helps!
- Jess
Dear Jess, I have dry skin that is prone to pimples. I have tried different treatments but nothing seems to be working. Suggestions? - Kate
Dear Kate,
Trying to treat acne when you have dry skin is a vicious cycle - trust me, I know. Since the majority of all pimple fighting products contain ingredients that dry out the complexion, the only thing we’re left with after treating a breakout is an even dryer epidermis. So, to solve this problem, take note: the first thing you’re going to want to do is cleanse with a hydrating oil such as castor oil. This will cling to the sebum and bacteria in your pores, flushing out all the dirt and grime within. Next, exfoliate to ensure all the dead skin is taken care of. A fabulous natural, non-irritating option for this is baking soda. Mix in a small amount of water with this pantry staple to create a paste. Then, rub onto your face and rinse with lukewarm water. To moisturize – and this is going to sound crazy – use a beauty oil. I’m acne prone myself and thought a product like this would break me out terribly, but I was wrong. I love the silky smooth texture, and these concentrated oils help to bring my face back to a soft, radiant, pimple-free state. Try Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Active Vitamin D Serum-Oil or Nude ProGenious Treatment Oil.
Dear Jessica, Does pulling your hair back really stimulate your hair's growth?
Dear Anonymous,
Scalp stimulation is the most important part of the hair growth process. Increased circulation to the scalp encourages more blood to rush to the roots of your hair, which delivers vital nutrients and oxygen where it’s needed, causing the follicles to produce more hair. So, does pulling your hair back promote growth? Yes, but only if done correctly. If you’re not careful, tight updos can cause more harm than good. Experts say, wearing hair in a loose ponytail minimizes the amount of times you touch it with fingers, brushes, and other things that could cause breakage throughout the day and it also lessens any change of excessive knotting, which also causes damage. Wearing your tresses up protects individual strands and fragile ends, keeping them long, strong, and continuously growing. Other ways to promote growth are by giving yourself scalp massages, not using a blow dryer, not brushing vigorously when wet, using a boar bristle brush, and of course – vitamins like Biotin, Super B complex and Silica.
