Goodbye Puffy Eyes

Eye bags are the result of fluid retention. Fluid retention occurs when fluid isn't removed from the body tissues, including the skin. It can be caused by many things (lack of sleep, a heavy salt or sugar intake, pregnancy, etc.) but it can be solved.

1-Exercise If you have enough time between the moment you wake up and the time that you have to get to school or work– do some cardio. The exercise will increase your body temperature, sweating out excess water. Your circulation will also increase, preventing further fluid retention

Water A hydrated body will not retain as many fluids, so make sure to drink lots of water. 

Cranberry Juice A glass of cranberry juice will help your body remove excess water, but the amount of sugar in cranberry juice could cause even more retention. Instead, in a water bottle pour one cup of 100% cranberry juice not from concentrate, and fill the rest of the bottle with water. This will create an even balance between your sugar and water intake.

Watermelon If you are craving something sweet, head for the amazing tasting fruit, that is actually 92% water.

No Bread Bread is off limits if you are trying to get rid of puffiness. Replace your white bread for a gluten free products such as rice bread, or rice crackers.

Puffy Eyes can also be due to certain allergies. Consult a doctor if you think it might be the case for you.

A Routine For Long Hair

Did you know that the end of your hair is five years old? That means five years of straightening, of curling, of dying, of blow-drying, five years of sunlight. It means five years of brushing, breaking, pulling, tying, braiding, styling... You get the point. That's why you girls with long hair need to take extra care of it. This three step beauty routine will make your hair look five years younger:

Start by shampooing with the Anti-Breakage Keratin Oil Shampoo from Organix to prevent–thanks to the help of Keratin Protein and Argan Oil– your new strands from breaking later on. 

Next apply (avoiding the scalp-area) the Renewing Morrocan Argon Oil Conditioner, also from Organix. Let your strands absorb the product for about two to three minutes before rinsing for best results.

After drying your hair until damp with a towel, apply a dollop of Moroccan Oil Treatment from MorrocanOil.

Style as you regularly do.  

A Routine For Fine Hair

If you struggle to give volume to your fine hair, say hello to your new daily routine. Start by shampooing your hair with Volume Shampoo from Pantene, who's plumping effect inspired by collagen, "rinses clean with zero heavy buildup and features micro-boosters for manageability to help you create your full-bodied style". Follow up with the conditioner if you consider you have dry hair, otherwise move on to the Garnier Fructis XXL volume hairspray that will enforce and hold the volume for a full day, while prepping your to-be styled hair. Lastly finish off by styling your hair using the Solia 1875W Thermal Ionic Hair Dryer, a blow dryer containing an ionic generator that eliminates static, so that your hair is sure to not look frizzy. For the brush I recommend a wild boar round brush, any brand will do.

After Labor-Day:

My Top Ten Summer Products

During a summer filled with croissants, baguettes, strawberry tarts, and the sunny beaches of the French Riviera, I discovered life-changing products that I will gravely miss. While packing for New York I was only able to bring back ten:

1: Neutrogena Deep Clean Invigorating Cleanser-Mask I have tried maybe 10 masks in my life and never have I used them more than once. I have always been unsatisfied– until I found the invigorating cleanser/mask from Neutrogena. It works as a daily face cleanser but can also be applied as a mask once a week. 

2: Lancôme Show- Hypnôse Drama Mascara The convex brush separates each lash while coating it with A LOT of mascara, and you end up with the most volume your lashes have ever had. Plus, it comes in the cutest packaging!

3:Shampoing et Après Shampooing Soin - Camomille Blé par Le Petit Marseillais This is by far my favorite summer shampoo and conditioner. The chamomile and wheat in them not only promises a blonde result but also nourishes your hair that has most likely dried up due to the sun and salty water. I recommend it to all  blondes and lighter brunettes out there.

4:Shampooing et Après Shampooing Camomille et Miel de Fleurs - Ultra Doux de GarnierI also owe my blonde hair to this shampoo and conditioner which I used the second half of the summer. I was extremely satisfied with the color of my hair, but although the conditioner was great at untangling my hair, I didn't find as nourishing as the Petit Marseillais. 

5: Baume Après Shampooing - Lait de Papyrus de Klorane If your hair is dry, apply this conditioner, wait five minutes, then rinse. Yes, it's that quick and that effective.

6: Garnier Ambre Solaire Golden Protect Lotion SPF 30 Being the daughter of a skin cancer victim, I must be extremely careful in the sun. Going to the beach only after five o'clock, it takes me a month to get that sun-kissed look most people get after a week. It doesn't help that I'm naturally very pale. This summer, after one month, my skin was much darker than it usually is after a full summer at the beach. I have this sunscreen to thank. The lotion not only moisturizes the skin, but leaves a luminous pearl shimmer that reflects the sun and helps activate melanin. Bonus: it smells delicious

7: Nivea Soft Body Lotion Nivea was my go-to lotion brand as a child. I stopped using it for some time, but this summer, I switched back. It's a good thing I did. 

8: Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Eyeliner The brush to this eye liner is so precise, I get surprised every time I use it. The eyeliner is waterproof and will not budge for 24 hours. It comes in 11 different colors.

9: Soin Gommant Corps de Le Petit Marseillais Unlike most scrubs that use Sea Salt, this scrubs is made with brown sugar: an ancient beauty remedy used by the women in the southern parts of Europe. The sugar gets rid of dead skin cells, while the shea butter and argan oil present in the scrub nourish the skin.

10:Dessange Masque Anti-déssèchement Nutri-Extrême One of my closest friends has the curliest hair I have ever seen. It is thick and springy. having wavy hair that turns curly during the summer, I went to her for help. She gave me this hair mask that she swears by for more than four years, and I understand why. 

Big Beautiful Eyes Contour Kit from Benefit

You know those events that aren't casual nor formal? We all know how hard it is to find the perfect outfit for them. Well, finding the perfect makeup is just as complicated. You want to be your prettiest without having tried too hard– but you still want to have tried. The Big Beautiful Eyes Contour Kit from Benefit is what everyone should have. The simple and easy steps will give you those beautiful eyes we all dream of: perfect for ANY occasion. The kit contains a concealer, an eyeshadow base, a darker shadow for contouring,and an even darker shadow to use as an eyeliner. The kit also comes with two brushes: one for the concealer and another for the eyeshadows. It's made for brown or black eyes, but don't worry all you lighter colors out there: I'll have the equivalent for you in a few days!

buy it online or at a cosmetic store near you

Marc Anthony Dream Waves Beach Spray

If you want beach waves I have two words for you: Magnesium Sulfate. It's what gives to dry, wavy, curls, so any beach spray containing water and magnesium sulfate will give you that perfect beach hair we all love. My personal favorite: the Marc Anthony Dream Waves Beach Spray because of its soft coconut fragrance.

Use beach spray moderately because it tends to dry out hair.

Buy online or at your local drugstore