DIY Bath Bombs

Hello, lovelies! With it being winter, our skin is more vulnerable to being dry and cracked. Moisturizing is always good, but sometimes, we need to give our skin a little extra loving. 

I will be the first to admit I love myself a good soak in the tub: a deliciously scented bath bomb, a hair or face mask (or both), lit candles, and just my thoughts. It makes a tough day seem a little less stressful.

However, the price of those LUSH bath bombs can add up quite quickly, leaving poor college students suffering. To fix this problem, here is a bulk recipe to make some customizable DIY bath bombs that will cure your winter-chilled skin. 

What You Need:

2 cup baking soda

1 cup citric acid

1 cup Epsom salts

2 tsp. water

4 tsp. essential oil

6 tsp. olive oil

food coloring

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2 glass bowls

Whisk

Bath bomb molds

Directions:

Step 1: Mix all dry ingredients in a glass bowl and mix evenly with a whisk.

Step 2: In the other glass bowl, mix all liquid ingredients together.

Step 3: Put a small amount of your liquid mixture to the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Mix until all the liquid has been absorbed by the dry ingredients. Continue adding small amounts of the liquid mixture until it has all been used.

Step 4: Put mixture in the molds. In an ornament mold, put a little more than what it holds on both sides and press it together until the two molds touch (they don't have to clip together). In half molds, press tightly so bath bombs are solid.

Step 5: Once it is pressed, gently tap out with a spoon or hands to loosen the bath bomb.

Step 6: Let your creations dry for 1-2 days.

It's so easy! Using different food coloring, essential oils, and molds create an endless variety of bath bombs. If you want to go all out, write cute notes and laminate them to give a cute message to the receiver of the bath bomb or put flower petals in the center of the bath bombs for a nice flower bath. 

I hope you enjoy your DIY bath bombs! What scents, colors, and molds do you like? 
Let me know in the comments!

xx Amanda

FabFX Facebook Page

Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore

Festive Make Up Tutorial

Hello, lovelies! Four sleeps until Christmas! It's so close! For this post, I will show you how to create a beautiful neutral eye with a staple red lip for the festive season! Whether you have Christmas parties to attend or you just want to doll yourself up for when you open your gifts, this is the look for you. 

P.S. This look really could work any time of the year, but a red lip especially looks nice during this time of year! Enjoy!

Face

For a flawless looking complexion, I did my normal skincare routine and moisturized with Estēe Lauder DayWear Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme. 

Then I primed my face with Benefit The POREfessional Face Primer. For foundation, I used my go-to Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in the shade Gobi. I have not been putting concealer under my eyes, but an eye brightener. I use Trish McEvoy Instant Eye Lift in Shade 2 to cover the darkness under my eyes and lift my lovely under eye bags. To conceal any spots or redness on my face, I use CoverGirl Ready Set Gorgeous Concealer in Light. 

To ensure my foundation and concealer stayed in place, I powdered my face using my trusty Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Transparent. 

 

At this point, my face was whiter than Santa Claus' beard, so I added some definition to my face with some Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Bronzer in Light/Medium. To bring some color back into my cheeks, I used my NYX Powder Blush in Mocha.

Brows

For eyebrows, I'm pretty much doing the same thing I always do. I used the Too Faced Brow Envy Kit. I swipe on the setting wax to give my brows a general shape, then use small controlled strokes to fill in the sparse areas with the brunette shade. Once I've covered the bare areas, I use the Benefit Gimme Brow Vomumizing Gel in Medium/Deep to cover any lighter hairs and to define my arch a little more.

Eyes

Before I apply eye shadow, I always apply my favorite eye primer, the Urban Decay Origninal Eye Shadow Potion Primer in Nude to help the shadow last longer and not crease.

For this neutral eye look, I tried to keep it pretty simple since I want the main focus to be on the lips. I used NYX The Natural Eyeshadow Palette, using the three colors on the right side of the palette. I applied the first color, a very light tan color, in the crease with a blending brush to be the transition color. I then applied next color to the right, a shimmery coffee brown, all over the lid. I really packed that color on to emphasize the sparkle and warmth. Finally, I used the furthest color to the right, a deep brown in the outer third of my crease. I applied only a small amount at a time, blended it out, then added more, and kept blending until I liked the gradient. I highlighted my inner corners with L'Oréal Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner in Highlighter, which really brightened up the look.

To finish the eyes, I layered up Benefit They're Real Lengthening Mascara in Black. I think putting on more than one coat of mascara emphasizes the length of your lashes. Focusing it mostly at the base of the lashes also helps them become more volumized, even with a lengthening mascara. It also covers your butt if you can't apply liquid eye liner (like me).

Lips

For the main event... The lipstick! For this festive red lip, I used Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lipstick by Kate Moss in Shade 107. This, my lovelies, is the holy grail of red lipsticks. It's creamy, pigmented, and just the absolute most gorgeous red to be bestowed upon my lips. I might be acting a little dramatic, but it is seriously a great lipstick to try out if you're in the market for a new red. I used a lip brush to outline the lips with this color, then applied the color straight from the bullet to my lips to get a more prominent color.

And voila! You have a very festive Christmas look! I hope you enjoyed this look! What looks do you like to wear around the Holidays? Let me know in the comments!

xx Amanda

FabFX Facebook Page

Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore

Gift Wrapping Ideas

Hello, lovelies! Only seven sleeps until Christmas! It has undoubtedly been a stressful few weeks trying to get gifts sorted out and wrapped in time to exchange them. I usually am one of those people who wraps with the same old Santa gift paper or throw it in a festive bag wrapped in tissue paper, but I really wanted to try something different to make my gifts stand out when sitting under the Christmas tree!

This year, I decided to try a very simplistic, yet festive style of wrapping. All you need to try this wrapping is plain brown wrapping paper, twine, red ribbon, bows, stamp set, red ink, and some gift tags.

Plain brown wrapping paper is so cheap but helps create some pretty wrapping that will make the receivers feel special... it's like you actually tried this year. But with the help of some ribbon, stamps, and gift tags, there are endless ways to wrap gifts for the ones you love.

Enjoy!

Give the gift a rustic look by using twine instead of ribbon.
Make simple tags with festive gift tags and individual letter stamps.

Skip the tag and stamp straight onto the brown gift wrap.
Keep it festive with red ribbon and bows!

Personalize tags with cute nicknames.
Customize gift wrap with fun stamps around the paper.

How have you been wrapping gifts for this Christmas? What are your go-to materials? 

Let me know in the comments!

xx Amanda

FabFX Facebook Page

Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore

My Favorite Christmas Songs & Films

Hello, lovelies! I hope you're having a fabulous December! Only a few weeks until the big day! I think a great way to get into the Christmas spirit is by blasting the festive tunes and watching Christmas films. There's so many to choose from, but here are some of my favorites!

Christmas Playlist

Baby It's Cold Outside

Idina Mendez & Michael Bublé

All I Want for Christmas Is You

Mariah Carey

Fa La La

Justin Bieber ft. Boyz II Men

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

Jackson 5

Santa Baby

Eartha Kitt

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

Michael Bublé

Mistletoe

Justin Bieber

Christmas Without You

OneRepublic

Christmas Lights

Coldplay

All I Want for Christmas Is You

Michael Bublé

Christmas Films

Love Actually

Elf

Dr. Suess' How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas

The Polar Express

Frosty's Winter Wonderland

What Christmas songs and films do you enjoy during the season of giving?

Let me know in the comments!

I hope your days are merry and lovely.

xx Amanda

FabFX Facebook Page

Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore

Happy HAULidays!

Hello, lovelies! I hate to be the one to point out the obvious, but Thanksgiving is over. But hey, the rest of the holiday season is still ahead of us. The holiday season is great: the food is always amazing, family time is alright, but my favorite part is the shopping! 

I am one of those people who starts a countdown to Black Friday after the last piece of pumpkin pie has been devoured. I have window-shopped, price-checked, sized, ordered, and re-ordered just within the last few days.

It may sound crazy, but I found some great gifts for myself, too. Below are some things I have found within the past few weeks that I can't wait to use during the HAULidays!

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Benefit Eye Set

Benefit Cosmetics always comes in handy when needing a great eye look. This set includes They're Real! Lengthening Mascara {Beyond Black}, They're Real! Push-Up Liner {Beyond Black}, and They're Real! Remover. The trio helps to achieve the biggest, sexiest eyes with long lashes. 

This is a sampler set, so the products do not contain as much as the original products, but if you are looking around for a new eye look, this might be the products for you!

Nail Polish

I definitely am in need of a fresh mani/pedi for the holiday season. I found the Essie Ravishing Red Festive Mini Set, which I now adore. I've always loved Essie nail polishes mainly because there is a wide range of hues and the lacquer stays for at least a couple weeks, and the packaging is just really freaking adorable. The set contains four beautiful colors, including Toggle to the Top, Beyond Cozy Double Breasted Jacket, and Blanc. 

Toggle to the Top is a sparkly maroonish-purple polish that will look great for a New Years mani! Beyond Cozy is a sparkly silver lacquer that also screams, "NEW YEARS!" Double Breasted Jacket is a cherry red color, perfect for Christmas. Blanc is white and could accompany any of the other colors to create a festive mani/pedi.

Left to right: Toggle to the Top, Double Breasted Jacket, Blanc, Beyond Cozy.

Advent Calendars

I saved the best items for last! I have always loved Advent calendars, but I've only had chocolate or toys inside them, not beauty products. When December 1st comes, this will be 24 days of heaven for me!

First, I got the Benefit Cosmetics Party Poppers 12 Days of Gorgeous Set. I'm not typically one for surprises (trust me), but I have forced myself to not look at what is included inside each calendar. I can say that the packaging is glamorous and edgy, and it sings the Benefit version of "12 Days of Christmas."

I then had to complete my 24 Days of Christmas with another 12-day Advent calendar. I purchased the Tanya Burr Cosmetics Deck The Hauls 12 Days of Christmas Beauty Calendar. This was available at Superdrug and Feel Unique, but it's sold out! Tanya Burr is one of my favorite makeup artists, so I am thankful to have snagged one of these calendars. Once again, I didn't check to see the contents of the set, but I will see when the time comes to open it!

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I am planning to open these two calendars every other day, and will be posting the contents throughout December. Let's call it... Blogmas! Cool? Yes, it is! The goal is to also incorporate the items into my beauty regimens, but no promises. The holiday season is also the season of finals. Gross.

Let me know what you all are planning to use during the holidays, whether it be health, beauty, food, etc. I love hearing your feedback! Have a great December!

xx Amanda

FabFX Facebook Page

Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore

Hot Chocolate for the Holidays

Hello, lovelies! It’s that time of year: the air is getting crisper and the nights are getting darker. After a day of long classes or a night before a stressful test, it is always a good idea to have a cup of cocoa by your side. After awhile, though, we can’t always be drinking the same hot chocolate and marshmallows; it’s time to mix things up! After all, isn’t that what college is for? It’s time to try something new. Here are four hot chocolate recipes to add to your brisk evenings!

Peppermint Hot Cocoa

Ingredients

1 cup of milk

½ cup chocolate chips

5 peppermint candies or 2 candy canes

Pumpkin Spice

Ingredients

1 tsp. maple syrup

½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1 cup whole milk

1 tsp. unsweetened dark cocoa

Caramel

Ingredients

½ cup milk

5 oz. milk chocolate, chopped

¼ heavy cream

3 Tbsp. caramel sauce

Vegan

Ingredients

1 cup vanilla almond milk

1-1/2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tsp. coconut palm sugar

For each of these recipes, heat on medium-low heat until chocolate is melted and everything is evenly mixed together. Feel free to top them off with marshmallows, whipped cream, a cinnamon stick, or caramel.

Enjoy something warm as the days get cold. Let me know what you think of these recipes in the comments below! 
xx Amanda

FabFX Facebook Page

Twitter & Instagram:@amanda_wymore

Homemade Pumpkin Face Mask

Hello, lovelies! Happy post-Halloween! As you read in my Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Recipe, Zachary and I carved pumpkins a couple days ago. Keeping the Halloween theme alive just a little bit longer, I decided to make a festive pumpkin face mask.

There are a lot of beneficial qualities in pumpkin...

Pumpkin contains vitamins A, C, E, and K, alpha- and beta-carotenes, and minerals, including magnesium, potassium, and iron.

It helps fade sun spots and age spots.

Is a potent antioxidant that fights wrinkle-causing free radicals in your skin.

Contains enzymes that help to dissolve dry skin.

How incredible?! You learn something new every day!

I used to think pumpkins were just great for Halloween and pumpkin pie.

...and honey!

I decided the sidekick in this mask would be something just as beneficial for the skin. 

It's counterpart, honey, is also crazy good for your skin! 

Honey is naturally antibacterial. 

It does miracles for those who are suffering from acne. 

Just like pumpkin, honey contains antioxidants. 

It is moisturizing and a good ingredient to use for those with sensitive skin. 

Honey also does a really good job of opening pores and helps clean out dirt and oil.

Here is the recipe for this delightful concoction!

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon cooked pumpkin (I used the pumpkin guts from the pumpkin I carved)

1 teaspoon honey

***If you are prone to excess acne or oiliness, replace the honey with 
1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. 

Directions:
Mix and mash all ingredients together and apply to skin.

Leave on skin for 15 minutes.

Rinse with cool water and cleanser.
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That's all there is to it! Not too difficult! 
Don't be intimidated by the orange; it won't dye your skin!

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Love this mask? Make a huge batch and freeze for later use!
15 oz. can of organic pumpkin puree
3/4 cup of honey

Mix and store in an ice cube tray to freeze. Each cube is one application! 
Store in freezer for up to three months!
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Need a good scrubbin'? Make an exfoliator by adding 1 tsp. of cane sugar to apply after washing off the mask.
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So versatile! Bravo, pumpkin!
Enjoy! Happy fall! 

xx Amanda
FabFX Facebook Page
Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Hello, lovelies! Happy Halloween! Zachary and I decided to carve our little pumpkins last night whilst jamming out to Halloween music! It was a blast! Here are the results: 

Mine is the one that looks like it should be in an asylum. Zach's is cute.

The only downfall is that we are college students, therefore, we were too lazy to get candles to light the jack-o-lanterns, so we used a flashlight. Classy, right?

After the carving was over, I separated the seeds from the pumpkin guts, and now I have made delicious roasted pumpkin seeds!

If you are one of those people who crave salty, crunchy snacks, this is the treat for you!

Making pumpkin seeds takes only a few steps, but the two really important ones include:

1. Cleaning the pumpkin seeds really well: Get rid of any extra pumpkin fibers so you get the most out of your seeds. Using a colander is suggested, but if you don't have one, just do the best you can with rinsing the seeds.

2. Keeping an eye on the seeds while they are in the oven: It's a lot easier to burn pumpkin seeds than most would think. Keep a timer for every 10 or so minutes to move the seeds around to help them roast evenly. I'm one to get sidetracked, so the timer really becomes my best friend during this time.

Okay, I'm done chatting, here's the recipe. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

Pumpkin seeds from beautifully carved pumpkins

1 tablespoon of olive oil

A few dashes of salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Scrape out seeds from pumpkins. Clean seeds in a colander, removing any unwanted rinds or fibers.

Soak seeds for 30 minutes in a bowl of water. Drain when the time is over.

Fill a pot with water (enough to cover the seeds). Add a dash of salt. Bring water to a boil. Add seeds and boil for 10 minutes. 

Turn off the heat and drain the seeds. Place seeds in an empty bowl. Toss in olive oil. 

Lay out seeds in a thin layer on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle a light amount of salt on the top.

Place the seeds in the oven, moving and turning the seeds every 10 minutes. Seeds should be done after 30-40 minutes. You will know they are done when they are firmer and less soft. 

Remove from oven. Sprinkle on more salt if desired. Let cool for 10-15 minutes. Place in Tupperware or mason jar to store. 

Have a Happy Halloween, and enjoy this (trick or) TREAT during what is left of the fall season!

xx Amanda 

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Halloween Treats: Mummy Pretzels and Nutter Butter Ghosts

Hello, lovelies! Happy Halloween! Everyone says, “Trick or treat!” You know that in reality, they just want treats! Here are some treats that are fun and easy to make for any Halloween party. The sweetness and saltiness will creep onto your taste buds, but they’ll be excited for more. Bring the spooky season to life with some gratifying ghouls and yummy mummies!

Mummy Pretzels

 

Ingredients:

Large Pretzel Rods

White Chocolate Almond Bark

Green M&M’s

Supplies:

Aluminum foil or waxed paper

Directions:

Lay pretzel rods on foil or waxed paper. Melt the white chocolate almond bark according to the directions on the package. Place melted chocolate in a Ziploc bag and cut a hole in one tip of the plastic bag. Pipe the melted chocolate almond bark onto the pretzel rods. (Caution: bag may be hot from melted chocolate.) Stick green M&M’s to the pretzel rods using white chocolate as an adhesive. Allow time for the chocolate to set.

Nutter Butter Ghosts

Ingredients:

Nutter Butters

White Chocolate Almond Bark

Mini and regular sized chocolate chips

Supplies:

Aluminum foil or waxed paper

Directions:

Melt the white chocolate almond bark according to the directions of the package. Dip the Nutter Butter cookies into the melted chocolate, coating both sides, but leaving the bottom uncoated. Place on aluminum foil or wax to set. While the coating is still setting, place two mini chocolate chips for eyes and one large chocolate chip onto the cookie. Allow treats to set until firm.

Try these out for Halloween parties or scary get-togethers! Enjoy!

xx Amanda

FabFX Facebook Page

Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore

Updated Skin Care Routine

Hello, lovelies! This is a much-needed post, considering I have changed my skin care routine a couple of times since my last post about my routine.

This newly updated routine has fewer steps and is less intense, which just makes the lazy people (such as myself) a little more excited about taking care of their skin.

Here is what I have been currently using and loving for my regimen!

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Makeup Remover
The first part is optional and depends on if I am wearing makeup that day. I use No. 7 Beautiful Skin Quick Thinking Wipes. They work on all skin types, and thank the Lord for that because it is so hard to find makeup remover wipes that don't dry out my skin or make it feel super oily. It also works on waterproof anything and is hypo-allergenic. This stuff was just made for everyone basically.

Cleanser
I start off with a good cleanse. I use the Boots Botanics All Bright Cleansing Foam Wash to begin the routine. I use this product in the morning and at night. I use about a dime-sized amount and gently massage it into my skin (face and neck) with my hands. The brightening hibiscus within the formula helps to create a very glowy complexion. Once again, this cleanser is created for all skin types, making it easy to get the cleansing you need without the side effects of dryness or excess oil: it's a great balance.

Toner
The next step to a refreshing skin care routine is a toner that freshens the skin and keeps impurities at bay. I use the sister product of my cleanser, Boots Botanics All Bright Cleansing Toner. I apply this by squirting about a quarter size on a clean washcloth, and dab (not rub) the product on my face and neck, really focusing it on the nose and surrounding areas, since this is where I see the most blackheads and other impurities. If you do this twice a day, you will quickly see clearer skin because of the powers that this product possesses. It has literal powers. Just saying.

Face Mask
This step is a "once a week" kind of step; even twice a month will suffice. I love myself a good clay mask on a Sunday night to freshen my skin and deep clean my pores before a week of nastiness. I use (be surprised) Boots Botanics Shine Away Ionic Clay Mask. There are minerals in this mask that draw out impurities and oil without overdrying the skin. My skin just feels super soft and even cleaner once I've washed this mask off. 
*Note: When applying any face mask, start out with a clean palette by assuring you've cleansed and toned first!

Eye Serum
I only started using an eye serum this past spring. I don't know if it was just a scam or if I'm just that addicted to buying skin care products, but I heard that applying moisturizer on your undereye area actually contributes to creating the bags under your eyes. I inherited bags under my eyes in the first place, so I don't want to make them anymore prominent than they are now. I started using Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye just at night (as the name implies). I dip my ring finger in the pot just to acquire a thin layer, and I use that one dip for both eyes. I spread the serum around my eye and on my eyelid with my ring fingers.
*Note: Applying products with your ring fingers will help to keep a light touch, especially on sensitive and delicate areas of the body, including the eyes. Using your ring finger will eliminate excess pressure and decrease the likeliness of getting wrinkles.

Moisturizer
The hydration and softness of your skin will come from a good moisturizer; or in my case, I use two. Yes, I realize it sounds a bit costly to have two moisturizers, but they work differently: one for daytime wear and one for nighttime wear.

Daytime: I use Boots Botanics All Bright Hydrating Day Cream SPF 15. The SPF is a bigs seller for me. I get burned so easily and my face is sensitive, so the extra little protection helps. While protecting my face from the sun, it also brightens and hydrates my skin. It's great to do this alone, or before putting on makeup to soften the look of foundation to give your face a fresh and dewy look. I apply this on my face and neck, avoiding my undereye area. This moisturizer is specifically for normal to dry skin, which is my skin type, but there are plenty of options for those of you who have oily skin.

Nighttime: I use Aveeno Smart Essentials Nighttime Moisture Infusion. This does not provide any sun protection, hence me not using it during the day. However, it compensates by infusing antioxidants and vitamins A, C, and E, which help to rejuvenate and repair the skin while sleeping. I apply this on my face and neck, avoiding my undereye area where the eye serum was applied. This moisturizer can be used with all skin types. 

Lip Scrub
I have been using the same lip scrub for almost a year because it makes the biggest difference in how my lips look and feel. It's especially important to take care of your lips during the colder months when they are more likely to look moisture and peel. I apply LUSH Mint Julips Lip Scrub to my top and bottom lip at least twice a day, sometimes even more if my pout is not on point. I'm not normally a mint person, but this almost tastes more like chocolate to me, and the hint of mint that I do get just makes me feel refreshed. The best part of lip scrubs are that you get to eat them, so pack that stuff on, rub your lips together, and lick the rest off!

Lip Balm
Similar to how your face and neck need to be moisturized daily to maintain its softness and lovely glow, your lips need the same attention. I do use two lips balms interchangeably, but you can really use whatever your heart desires.

I use Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm with Vitamin E and Peppermint in the morning and evening after I have just brushed my teeth to keep the minty taste consistent. Throughout the day, I use Burt's Bees Nourishing Lip Balm with Mango Butter when I'm needing a new layer of chapstick. Mango is my favorite flavor, but like I said, any lip balm will do the trick!

That's my new skin care routine! What products do you use to achieve picture-perfect skin? Let me know in the comments!

xx Amanda

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Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore