Life is short!

This month I made a promise to myself. I want to make every single day count! I always have but now I treasure the days even more!

I am more grateful then ever to wake up and open my eyes. Ready to go and start a brand new day. This year I want to travel even more internationally. There’s so much out there in our world to see.

Life is short! I know it sounds cliche but it’s true. This week I saw on social media where more lives are being lost. Our world is so upside down! I read where an Olympian passed away he was only 29 years old! I saw on Instagram the tennis pro Christie Evert is on yet another round of chemotherapy for breast cancer. Reading that and seeing her photo in a hospital bed broke my heart as I have had the pleasure of making her up for the Women’s Tennis Association, Lipton Tea and more.

So, please treasure good health & enjoy every day of your life too!

I want to get into baking bread on a regular basis instead of just buying store bought. I love the rustic look of these breads. Do you?

Photo by Daria Shevtsova on Pexels.com

I’m going to use my fine China, glassware and silverware in gold yes a gorgeous gold hue. I’m not waiting for a special occasion! Everyday is SPECIAL!

Photo by Leah Kelley on Pexels.com

I need to learn to say “No” more often and not always be a people pleaser.

I hope to grow more herbs 🌿 in my garden. There’s nothing like your own crop!

I will control my multi-tasking if I can. Or at least do it less.

I’m going to eat more veggies if that’s even possible cause I do love them so much. But I need more of them in my life.

Photo by Vanessa Loring on Pexels.com

I’m going to spend more time walking and bike riding again. I used to walk to and eat my lunch in Central Park in NYC every work day. Oh and bike ride too. Once I moved to Florida I walked and rode my bike less as it’s so hot most of the time it’s not fun! I miss the four seasons.

How about you?

What do you want to do?

Make new friends?

Get out of the house more?

Feel the sunshine on your face!

I’m going to keep buying myself flowers! You don’t need a man to buy them for you. Treat yourself!

I’m going to give myself even more self-care …Self-care is health care.

I’m going to add and try one new thing a month in this new year! It’s fun and exciting.

My message here is you can start something new too. Never stop growing. Never stop learning. Never stop exploring.

Life and the world 🌍 is waiting for you!

Makeup

I came across this blog and thought you might find it an interesting read.

Can COVID-19 Live On Your Beauty Products?

By Daley Quinn

If there’s ever been a time that you really, really need to wash those nasty makeup brushes, now would probably be it. With the coronavirus swiftly sweeping across our nation every day, many beauty devotees are left wondering: can COVID-19 live on your beauty products?

While you’re most likely stuck working from home, you probably aren’t wearing too much makeup, unless your manager insists on having 75 Zoom video conference meetings in a day. Or perhaps you’re in the mood to get a bit dolled up for your impromptu date night with a partner, leftover chicken and pasta included. Or maybe you’re just bored and really wanting to practice your application technique with the free time you now have. Regardless, it’s imperative that you be washing your hands often during this time, but it’s also important to be wiping down surfaces throughout the day while you’re stuck at home—this includes your beauty products. Celebrity makeup artist and Veil Cosmetics founder, Sébastien Tardif, walks us through the steps on how to keep your makeup kit as clean as possible.

Photo by 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐬 𝐇𝐃 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞- 𝐮𝐩 & 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐦𝐞 on Pexels.com

So, can COVID-19 live on makeup?

According to a new study published on March 17, 2020 by the New England Journal of Medicine, the coronavirus can remain stable on different types of surfaces for different amounts of time. The study tested how long the coronavirus can live on various surfaces within a controlled laboratory setting and found that it was still detectable on copper for up to four hours, on cardboard for up to 24 hours, and on plastic and steel for up to 72 hours.

Considering many cosmetic products are made from plastic, it’s safe to say that you should be cleaning all your beauty products often (which is probably something you should have been doing prior to the COVID-10 pandemic, but we’ll give you a break this time). Unfortunately, it’s not yet known if the virus can live inside the actual formulas, such as in liquids or powders.

How should you clean your beauty products and brushes?

In terms of cleaning your makeup brushes, Tardif suggests cleaning them as you normally would, and paying more attention to cleaning your hands instead. If you have been diligently in self-isolation, you can continue to wash your brushes once or twice a week for good measure,” suggests Tardif. To properly clean your brushes, simply use a mild shampoo or soap, make it into a lather in the palm of your hand, and rinse with warm water until no soap comes out of the brush. Squeeze excess water gently and leave to dry overnight.

“If you have been out and about meeting people and touching your face, make sure to wash your hands and face first—no need to wash your brushes more often,” he says. Keeping your hands clean is the most important.

When using makeup or skincare products while quarantined, try to wipe them down with a disinfectant wipe or spray every time you use them. Yes, it might be a pain, but considering the virus can live on plastic surfaces for up to 72 hours, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

How can you apply makeup more hygienically during the coronavirus outbreak?

“COVID-19 or not, never put your fingers in your makeup and skincare jars, as bacteria proliferation will develop and cause your product to fail you and not last as long as it should,” warns Tardif. “Plus, it may even start to develop a rancid smell.” When applying a makeup or skincare product, Tardif suggests using a cotton bud or a clean mini spoon to dig out the product, so that you can avoid dipping your fingers into the formula and potentially contaminating it.

Additionally, avoid blowing on your makeup brushes when trying to get rid of excess powder prior to application—this isn’t very hygienic, either. Rather than blowing on it, tap the brush to remove excess powder.

Bottom line: Keep your beauty products clean by wiping them down after each use (if you can), but more importantly, focus your efforts on washing your hands often, as well as your face if you’ve been outside or around multiple people at once.

 

 

Eau de beauty of Perfume

I am stuck indoors waiting for the monster hurricane in Florida. We are all trying to keep our minds busy and may be in the dark with no lights,air conditioner and not able to leave beyond our front door. As a Northerner I am not used weathering a hurricane. VERY STRESSFUL. However,  I am keeping  busy organizing and cleaning and my beautiful  fragrance tray is getting my attention. wiping down and shining each bottle and the spritzer with a dash of alcohol to freshen them up.

I realized I have not given much love to some of the fragrances  as they look barely used. A word to the wise. GIVE YOUR FRAGRANCES some LOVE and USE THEM.

They lose their potency and formulas if you let them just sit there. Wether you made a fragrance from scratch or store bought. They must be rotated and used up.

Here are a few tips I have learned working in Bloomingdales and Macy’s in Manhattan as one of fragrance spritzer girls!

• Shop for fragrance when you are in the MOOD to buy a new one..
• Hit the fragrance counters when it is midday. Your sense of smell is the sharpest. DON’T put on fragrance before you go.
• I like to use those little paper blotters to check out a fragrance first.
• If coffee beans are available at the counter (or ask the sales associate) SNIFF them inbetween testing and sniffing to clear your nose of the previous scent.
• TEST only three fragrances …no more! Or you will be confused and your nose tricked. Apply one on one wrist and spritz on theother. Next try the third on the inner part of your arm.
• IF you don’t like a fragrance and find it smells not so pretty on your skin…remove it as fast as you can with soap and water OR a cotton ball blotted with rubbing alcohol.
• Ask for free samples…and try them out for a tleast a few days. Not just one time. your mood may change and you may not like the fragrance afterall once day three comes. You don’t want to waste money $$$ on a fragrance purchase you’ll regret.
• I find ther best time to apply fragrance is after a bath or shower.
• Spritz on your pulse points,inner wrists,ankles,throat area and a dash at the decolette.
• Bottom line…fragrance doesn’t last forever so enjoy it and finsih up all those beautiful bottles.
• To see my personal collection of fragrances from Russia,Poland,China,Japan and the US.  See my fragrant tray on Instagram @noreenkissyoung 
• FYI I love spraying a love note card to my husband with my fragrance spritzed on it and place it in his luggage when he travels out of town.
• Every day we are alive is a special day! Don’t wait to use your expensive perfume,best Chinaware,silverware or bedding. Enjoy them every day. You’ll be glad you did.

 

 

 

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