Easy DIY Make-Up Brush Cleaner

I've been SEARCHING and SEARCHING for an easy way to clean my make-up brushes. I've been researching, but nothing seem right. I don't have witch hazel just laying around my house, and I don't want to use chemicals or spend a lot of money for special cleaners. Finally, I came up with a solution, and it worked amazing.

If you're wondering WHY you should clean your brushes, here is one big reason. B-A-C-T-E-R-I-A. They're living and thriving off your brush which contains natural skin oils, and they think it's delicious. Bacteria can cause skin break outs, rashes, and infections. Your brushes can become smelly, too! You're probably ready to start cleaning - if not your brushes your entire house!

Here's what you need:

• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons antibacterial dish soap 

Here's how to clean your brush:

In a small bowl combine vinegar and water. Heat in the microwave until it's warm.

Combine the olive oil and soap on a small bowl or plate (I used a Styrofoam plate. Don't use paper, it will absorb the oil). No need to try to mix them together. They'll separate, but that's ok.

Dip your brush in the water/vinegar mix. Swirl it around a bit. You'll see little make up bits coming off, nothing to get excited about....yet. Take out your brush and gently squeeze out any extra liquid.

NOTE: Keep your brush bristles down at all times - even in the next few steps. If you put your brush bristles up (handle pointing down) before they are 100% dry, liquid can flow up the handle and dissolve the glue holding everything together. No Buenos.

Now, the gross part...Gently swoosh the brush around the olive oil and soap mix. Make sure to swoosh all side, uses a soft painting motion. You'll see the make-up falling off your brush!

Once you think you've removed all the gunk, rinse in a steady stream of cool water (remember, bristles DOWN!) Water should run clear. See picture to the left of my bronzer brush - before and after!

Gently arrange/mold bristles back to their original shape. Dry on an angle on a towel or paper towel. Roll one end of the towel to help prop up the handle. Allow brushes to dry completely before storing and/or using.



TIP: If you have any essential oils, you can add a little of your favorite to your oil/soap mix for a light scent.

Need to Catch some Zzzz's?

Here's your solution: ZzzQuil! Yes, I received this in another VoxBox (see the Goddess VoxBox post for more information of VoxBoxs and Influenster. To join Influenster, go HERE)

As a mom I'm often up late finished tasks and constantly on the go, which makes difficulty sleeping very frustrating. Sometimes, I need a little help and I turn to ZzzQuil. It's just the help I need! It does not create dependency and helps you stay rested. It's a great product and you should try it, too! For more info, here's a link to there WEBSITE.

Goddess VoxBox

Who has two thumbs and received another VoxBox? This gal!

If you haven't heard of a VoxBox and Influenster, here's a quick break down. Basically, you sign up and connect all your social media accounts. I mean ALL. The more impact on social media you have the more points you get. The more points you have the more stuff you get, got it? Then, review products. Review, review, review! Eventually, you will receive a survey and will *hopefully* qualify for a box! Follow the instructions and finish tasks to qualify for more boxes and possible free stuff. Interested? Sign up HERE

So, to continue my review. I received Cutex nail polish remover, Dickinson Witch Hazel Toner, Sinful Colors Nail Polish, Always pads, Pantene Shampoo/Conditioner, Downy, and Ebates stuff.

I really loved all the products. Cutex is great, it works on the toughest polishes - like those with glitter - and really help strengthen your nails.

I've never used toner before, but thanks to Dickinsons I'm now hooked!

Sinful colors is one of my favorite brands.  I love their color selections, I wish they had a quick drying option. I don't like that they're not part of the Kardashian empire. Not a fan of the Kardashians.

The Always pads were part of a new flex line. I really like them, you can hardly tell you're wearing a pad - even if it's the overnight pad. I do wish they were a little longer, but they have great absorbency.

In the past I haven't cared for Pantene. It's still not my favorite. I really just don't care for the scent and it makes my scalp itchy.

Last, Ebates. I'm not sure why this was in the box? I don't get it - they want you to sign up and it's cash back for shopping. I tried it and didn't get my cash back, so I would say it's bogus and to for go this when trying to save.

Well, that pretty much wraps up the Goddess VoxBox! If you haven't try Influenster!

Hello Fresh

Of the four meal programs I tried, Hello Fresh was in my top two (enter code J8M7HX
for $40 off your first box). I have to say they had the best packaging and organization of all the programs! Everything came well labeled and in neat little boxes separated by meal. It made cooking SO much easier!

Here are a few quick pointers, some pro and some cons, of Hello Fresh

Absolutely  LOVE the packaging and organization! 

• Good variety of menu choice, however not as many as Home Chef (Click here for $35 off a Home Chef Box!)
• Great packaging and organization
• Meals were delicious and fairly easy - like Home Chef I'd like to see more difficulty range
• Recipes could have been a little better, I noticed a few areas where steps could have been changed to make the process faster. 
• Amazing portion size! Ordered the two person program, and we still had enough for our toddler to have dinner! 

I would order from here again - the price is about the same as other programs - and the food was worth the money spent. Food was good, the choices all for you to try new items but within a comfort zone. Nothing "too" weird or complicated! 

If you only want to try Hello Fresh once, it's very easy. You can cancel at any time, or skip weeks to fit your needs. 

If you're interested in trying Hello Fresh (and you should!) enter this code to receive $40 off your first box! J8M7HX

A note to all of the dinner subscription box programs: ENOUGH with the kale and roasted veggies! Change things up a bit! 

Post Response

Wow! Looks like there are a few readers out there! Exciting!

My Home Chef post received a few hits - which is great. I love this service! Don't forget this link $35 off your first box! (Click for $35 off!) Or enter code Nicholef44 Soon I'll be posting reviews for the following meal box subscription services (some better than others):

• Marley Spoon 
• Blue Apron
• Hello Fresh

In the mean time I'll be posting some awesome recipes. Did you see the egg post from the other day? awesome ideas! All of which I've tried myself. 

I'm really enjoying getting into blogging! Feel free to add comments and questions on posts for some discussion! Keep in mind I do screen the comments to prevent spam. Can't wait to hear from you (the reader!) 

Great Eggs - Not Just for Breakfast!

I've recently been on an "egg" kick! Here are some of my favorites, these can be for any meal, not just breakfast. Here are some great ideas. Personally, for omelettes and fritattas I prefer two egg whites and one whole egg - but you can use whatever you'd like.

1. BLT Omelette - Bacon (or sub turkey bacon) chopped, tomato, arugula, and fontina cheese. Chop the bacon, cook until almost crisp, then add the tomato and arugula. The bacon grease is used instead of oil. Cook until arugula is wilted - and eggs. Cook, add cheese, and fold. Volia!

Zucchini Omelette

2. Zucchini Omelette - Roasted red peppers, shredded zucchini, and mozzarella. In heated olive oil, sautee peppers - add fine shredded zucchini. This is burn quickly so just cook until heated. Add eggs. Cook, and cheese, and fold! YUM!

3. Chicken and Spinach Fritatta - Fritatta is basically an open face omelette, but you toast it under the broiler and dont fold the eggs. Chicken, spinach, red pepper - sautee chicken and red pepper, and spinach until wilted. Add eggs - just before cooked place under broiler. When cooked, top with cheese and put back under broiler until cheese is bubbly! Bon Appetite!


4. Gluten Free or Low Carb Eggs Benedict - Instead of an English muffin make extra crispy hash browns! Poach egg(s) (this is really easy, here's a YouTube Video I like to add apple cider vinegar to my water, organic unpasteurized ACV is also high in probiotics!) Saute ham or Canadian Bacon, place ontop of hash browns. Place poached eggs on top of ham/hash browns and top with Holandaise. the Holandaise will be the most difficult part, here's a recipe on YouTube.

Gluten Free/Low Carb Eggs Benedict

5. Last, have you ever had a basted egg? You'll LOVE these if you like over easy eggs - and these are not healthy but so good! Add about 3Tbs butter to pan and melt, add egg(s) once whites are almost cooked (about where you would flip an over easy egg) begin to spoon the hot butter over top of the yolk/whites until it's cooked to your desired doneness. If you tun out of butter you can always add more! Basted eggs are great on a sandwich or burger.

So there you have it - some great egg ideas! YUM!!!

Country Crock #MakeItYours

Recently I received one of my awesome VoxBoxes from Influenster! This was a smaller campaign with only one item - a coupon for a free tub of Country Crock! I was super excited, as I already use this brand. I love their varieties - from original, to extra calcium, and honey butter (great for biscuits). Country Crock original is my personal favorite as it's more versatile. I used it in everything, from bread, to veggies, to cookies, to toast!

Here's a link to my PINTREST where I have added some great recipe ideas, including my favorite "Mix In Cookies". This is a base cookie recipe (NOT A COOKIE MIX! 100% Homemade cookies!!!!!) you can add whatever you want into the cookie batter to make any flavor you can think of, and don't forget to follow my Pintrest for other great ideas.

Go buy a tub of Country Crock and try one of the recipes!