Top 10 uses of Argan Oil and How to spot a fake

Argan oil is sometimes called liquid gold and is an ancient beauty product that has been used by moroccan women for over 700 years. Those process to extract argan oil from the small seeds is very time consuming, but worth the wait. Argan oil like many other great products has many counterfeits.

How to spot a fake.

Read the ingredients. The packaging should read 100% argan oil or 100% argania spinosa kernel oil, many companies especially from China add only 1% of the oil and claim argan oil as the main ingredient.

Another way to spot a fake is the bottle, pure argan oil is always placed in a dark glass bottle to preserve the oil and its benefits, be wary of anything claiming to be argan oil in another type of container. Light breaks down argan oils healing and restorative properties.

Argan oil is so difficult and time consuming to extract the price for a pure bottle should cost around $25 and up. There is no such thing as cheap argan oil.

Pure argan oil has a mild nutty scent, anything with a strong scent or no scent at all have been heated during production process.

100% pure argan oil should be smooth and silky absorbing into your hair and skin in minutes.

Argan oil can be used by anyone regardless of skin type.

Top 10 uses of Argan Oil

1. Face Moisturizer. I apply at night and wake with a soft and healed face and any breakouts are healing with visible results.

2. Hydrating Toner. Add a few drops of argan oil to your favorite facial toner to hydrate and tone simultaneously.

3. Rejuvenating & Brightening Face Mask.  Add a few drops of argan oil to your store-bought mask or make your own.

4. Exfoliating Lip Scrub and Moisturizer – To smooth and moisturize your lips I apply a small amount to my lips twice a day.

5. Leave-on Conditioner I apply this to damp hair two drops and style as usual.

6. Hair Styling Shine.When your hair is dry, I only use 1 drop for the method.

7. Overnight Hair Treatment. Massage this to scalp and hair with a shower cap overnight and wash in the morning.

8. Cuticle and Heel Softener. I use argan oil in my dry areas and I love it.

9. Body and Bath Oil.  I am a after oil after shower girl and I love it, I think argan oil is taking over my virgin olive oil obsession.

10. Brush conditioner. I add just one drop of argan oil to my brush cleanser and my brushes have never been softer.

I received this bottle of argan oil from Lavina skin care as a free gift with their Lavina skin care hydrating facial serum.
The review for the serum http://www.themakeupsquid.com/2014/03/lavina-skincare-hydrating-facial-serum.html
Lavina Skin Care http://lavinaskincare.com/

Have you tried 100% Pure Argan Oil? How do you use it?

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MOTD and Other Stuff

Hello, beautiful!

I can't believe the first week of April is coming to a close already. I hope our summer doesn't zip by us this quickly. I wanted to share my motd (makeup of the day) with you all, I tried a new MAC quad  I received that belonged to my cousin and it didn't work for her, so I gave it a new home and have been loving it. I am not going to lie its pretty beat up, but not from use, just from being thrown in a makeup bag that hasn't been cleaned, I think ever! She loves makeup don't get me wrong, but I don't think she has ever had a vanity or something like it. Anyhoo, on to this motd.

MOTD

I wanted a natural finish with a touch of drama and the drama is always in my eyes.

I primed my eye with UD Primer Potion.
I applied Mac Luna colour base in frost to my eyes.

I went in with Brash (VP) from Mac all over the lid.
Nanogold (L) went in the outer corner.
Spiced Chocolate (M) in the crease.

I smudged some UD 24/7 in zero on the lash line.
Applied Sonia Kashuk Gel liner in Ebony to add depth on the lash line.

I blended Spiced Chocolate and ebony to the lower lash line.
I finished with a coat of Clump Crusher my favorite mascara.

Image courtesy of polyvore.

This is a limited edition Palette and is no longer on the MAC website .

For my face I did my usual.

Primer: CoverGirl & Olay simply ageless serum primer.
Base: L'oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB cream.
Foundation: Makeup For Ever Matte Velvet +.
Highlight: CoverGirl & Olay simply ageless eye corrector.
Concealer: Maybelline Fit Me.
Setting powder: Sue Devitt triple C-weed pressed powder.
Contour: Smashbox MC2 Palette suntan bronzer.
Blush: Smashbox MC2 Palette Apricot.
Highlighter: Smashbox MC2 Palette Shimmer.
Lips: Revlon Colorstay lipstick in Front Row
Lip liner: MAC Nightmoth.

I love this look and my new, but recently loved palette.

Other Stuff!

Okay! So Later on tonight I am going to find out who won my 250 subscriber giveaway on YouTube. I am so excited I can hardly wait to announce the winner! I also won a Giveaway from Hope at Beauty&Bliss, I can't wait!! I have some interesting products being sent to me by various companies and everything sounds fabulous to try, so far everything that I have been sent has been amazing and I appreciate the companies for giving the Squid a chance :) YouTube is being evil tonight! It took 145 minuets to upload a 8 minute video! Which will be a brow routine featuring the brows I am wearing in the photo so check it out.

Chat ya later!

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Just let it go...

The other day was one of those days where I felt like I was pulling teeth. I took a shower, Exfoliated, moisturized, plucked my brows, dried and styled my hair and was ready to put my face on.

I sat cross legged in front of my mirror with all my toys in front of me, palettes, Primers and brushes.
So I did what any makeup junkie would do I dove right in. If you know anything about me its that I never plan any of my looks, they just happen and what ever colors draw my attention those are the ones I work with.

I got to the point of choosing a crease color, I choose a nice taupe matte shade perfect for a crease/transition shade. No good, it wouldn't blend, so naturally I got nervous, thinking something went wrong with my palette an it dried up. Nope, it spread fine on my hand and felt velvety soft on my finger.

I couldn't figure it out, so I wiped away all traces of what I started and began again this time with a different crease color from a different palette. No good, same result. It felt like I was rubbing fine sand on my linds.

I couldn't figure it out and by  the third try I said, Laurie, Just let it go...

Sometimes our faces or timing isn't right for a full face of makeup and on those days you should pamper your face with a good exfoliator or a nice mask and that is just what I did.

Have you ever had a day where you just couldn't get a look going and had to let it go?

Here is a video of me and my Girl masking it up, enjoy :)

We are currently asking everyone for questions, so that we ca answer during filming so enter them down below:)

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Balancing Oil and Stress on your face!

As you all know, if you follow me on twitter that I have moved again. That is a total of four times this past year. I will admit my stress levels have gone through the roof many times and my face has the scars to prove it.

I have been staying with family members of both sides during my travels of our great nation, why do we say that? Aren't all nations great? I never got that. Anyhoo, My face has gone through  a lot, Climate changes, stress and hormonal break outs.

To be honest, I haven't been keeping up with my normal face cleansing routine. Getting the bathroom time to myself has been very hard, especially with a large family so the oil build up has been ugly.

I would wake up with new breakouts and blemishes every week, I knew I needed a plan of action so I went to Walgreen's. I needed something that was fast and easy to use, so I browsed and browsed and picked up a pack of Simple Oil balancing cleansing wipes for sensitive skin.

These wipes are amazing! They cleanse the face of all dirt, oil and makeup. I love these because they do help with oil production on my face and leave my face feeling clean and fresh with just one wipe.

The texture of the wipe is soft on the skin, but strong enough to get in there and break up the ugly bits.

I have stopped breaking out and oil production is at a all time low. Yay me!!

This is a picture I took during a very stressful day and not to sound like I am tooting my own horn, but I wiped the stress away with my handy Simple oil balancing cleansing wipes.

Products I used on my face this day:
L'Oreal Magic B.B. Cream, Medium.

Mommy Makeup's Mommy's little helper Concealer.
Mommy Makeup's Dual mineral powder
The review for these products you can find here.
http://www.themakeupsquid.com/2014/01/two-easy-to-use-beauty-products.html

Urban Decay's Flushed bronzer
The review for this product in here.
http://www.themakeupsquid.com/2013/12/urban-decay-naked-flushed.html

Urban Decay's Naked basics Palette
http://www.themakeupsquid.com/2013/12/urban-decay-naked-basics-palette.html



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Benefits of the Elf Brush Shampoo

We all love our brushes, they are the most important tools any makeup junkie can have.

They help me create my looks as well as make the ritual of putting on my face so much easier.

I don't know where I would be without my coveted brush collection. Cheap or expensive I love them all.

To keep my brushes in like new condition I wash them weekly.

As I have been doing this for years now, I have begun to dread brush washing day.

It hurts my back sitting at the sink for 45+ minuets.

I did the olive oil and antibacterial soap mixture, but sometimes it would leave my brushes feeling oily and I would have to rewash them the next day. And the drying time with this mixture I didn't care for either.

I was looking for something new, something to make my weekly ritual easier.

On a resent trip to Walmart I picked up a bottle of the Elf Brush Shampoo.

I used this shampoo on all of my brushes that were dirty at the time cheap and expensive. I found that the formula is watery and I was a bit worried, but I continued anyway.

When I really noticed what this shampoo can do was with my MAC 219 brush, the small white brush.

I had some electric blue shadow on it, I thought okay this $3.00 shampoo ain't gonna do crap on this brush.

I was gladly mistaken. It became white as snow once again. The product claims to be antibacterial, removing all traces of makeup from your brushes. And it does!!

After washing I laid them out to dry using my Brush Guards for the larger brushes and laying flat the smaller ones, such as the 219 brush.

About 4 hours later I needed the space I put my brushes on to dry, so I picked them up to move them and noticed they were completely dry! I got a little nervous thinking, okay I messed up all my brushes, it's over!
upon checking them I realized they were all dry and in better condition then then before the washing!

I truly love this brush shampoo and will continue to use it.

Benefits of the Elf  Brush Shampoo.

1. It is watery so you won't need to add that much water.
2. It works quickly no need to over work your brushes.
3. quick drying time, washed and rinsed well in the morning, ready for a evening out.
4. Packaging is easy for travel and dispensing is very controllable.

Thanks for reading and have a great day!
If you enjoyed this post, please like and share or leave me a comment
I would love to hear your views on this amazing product!

My Favorite Elf Products of 2013

ELF (Eyes, Lips, Face) Has come along way in the past few years and they are truly picking up their game.

With many dupes of high name brands you really cant go wrong for the price.

Many Elf items are priced between $1 to $6.

Not all of their products will wow you, but any makeup junkie will have some Elf staples in their stashes.

Elf makes just about any beauty product you could imagine From Brushes to shampoos to wash your favorite tools and is readily available and any Walmart or target as well as online at eyeslipsface.com

On a recent trip to Walmart I picked up a few goodies.

Elf Matte Lip Colors

These pencil lipsticks are amazing! Application is always smooth and the creamy formula makes them great for anyone who appreciates a great lip color. These lip colors can compete with higher end lipsticks all day long. The color range is in itself very real from nude through a vibrant cranberry.

These are perfect and well shaped to create a ombre lip or worn on their own.

Nearly Nude

Praline

Rich Red

Natural

Coral

As you can see these lipsticks are perfectly shaped for application.

They are twist up and you get a lot of product.

From left to right Nearly Nude, Praline, Rich Red, Natural & Coral.

The only color I was a bit disappointed in was (rich red) as you can see its more of a deep berry pink then a red, but I don't mind with a good liner it can still be rocked as a red.

These retail for $3.00

e.l.f. Essential Cover Everything Concealer in corrective yellow.

This is a creamy concealer that will help to hide any redness, however it isn't a full coverage.

I use this product as a highlighter under eyes, down my nose and on my cheek bones 

before I set my face with powder.

This Retails for $2.00

As you can see it is quite thick but blends easily leaving a nice highlight behind.

Elf Small Stipple Brush

This brush has received raves reviews from expert to amateur brush lovers.

I have been after this brush for a while now and I understand what all hype is about.

This brush is perfect for concealing, highlighting and contouring.

It is soft and just plain lovely.

This brush retails for $3.00

e.l.f. Studio Brush Shampoo

Eyeslipsface.com says:

An anti-bacterial brush cleanser for thorough cleaning in-between makeup applications. Disinfects brushes to provide a fresh and clean application every time. Washes away traces of dirt, makeup, oil and debris from your brush while conditioning the hair to provide a clean and soft application for every use.

I have been using this to clean my brushes for a while now and I love it!

Its disinfects them, cleans them and conditions them leaving them like new once dried.

I hate washing my brushes, but this makes it easier :)

This retails for $3.00

I do love these elf products and will continue to repurchase again.

Elf has come a long way and I hope they continue to rise and wow us with affordable beauty products.

Whats your favorite Elf product?

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Meaningful Beauty Crem de Serum

I received the product from influenster about a month ago.

Meaningfulbeauty.com says:

This crème de la crème treatment takes a triple approach to combating the signs of aging with three powerful anti-aging ingredients: superantioxidant melon complex, anti-aging peptides and hyaluronic acid. Combining the power of a serum with the rich, moisturizing effects of a crème, this super-boost is designed to help protect, increase hydration and prevent the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

This product has a wonderful light melon scent that awakens the senses.

It is a thick for serum more like a gel, the application goes on smooth leaving your skin soft and silky without feeling greasy. 

I apply a thin layer and allow my skin to drink it up. They recommend applying it at night to work its magic.

I have not seen this product do anything to my current lines, but its does not claim to remove lines or wrinkles. 

This is a prevention product not a solution to an ongoing problem.

Prevention is better in my book and something I wish I would have done earlier in life.

This product is apart of a larger kit that claims to help with ongoing skin problems.

This kit retails for $39.95 on Meaningfulbeauty.com

I can say that I have not seen any new arrivals of fine lines since using the product and for me that is just as good and having them disappear. 

Thanks to influenster for the wonderful product.

So my question for you today is,

have you tried meaningfulbeauty?

Thanks for reading and have great day!

4 reasons to use a High Definition Powder

HD powders come in a universal shade that works with any skin tone.

Not only do they make the skin look radiant on film it also sets your foundation  and matifies

your skin without changing its natural contours.

This powder can be worn over and foundation or alone.

It is a silicone based formula the blurs pores for a flawless look.

This powder is finely milled therefore is is naked to the naked eye and film.

This product is meant to be used lightly in a simple dusting motion.

If not you will have a filmy residue and it will show up in photos especially with a flash.

As you can see in the photo above applied heavily with flash photography

it shows up giving off a white film on the skin.

Applied lightly and blended well it gives the skin a lovely radiance as promised.

I have been using HD powders for a few years now and I honestly don't think I can go back.

HD Powder Points

1. It's universal for all skin tones

2. Very light feeling formula not caking at all.

3. Blurs and softens the look of pores

4. A little goes a long way

The only down side to this product is that the packaging does not contain

the power very well. It can and will go everywhere if opened carefully.

There are two HD powders that I use often.

Elf HD Powder

$6.00

Make Up For Ever HD Powder

$36.00

The price range on these two powders is extremely different

But I will tel you the MUFE powder is more finely milled.

I use the Elf HD Powder for daily use and the MUFE HD Powder for more special occasions.

Have you tried a HD Powder?

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm

Did you ever wish there was a product that could boost the benefits of your favorite foundation?

Or maybe, just maybe make your skin look so good you didn't need foundation?

Well say hello to your new best friend the Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm.

This Formula is light weight liquid formula applies easily to the skin.

Has that familiar scent all Urban Decay fans know.

Finishes with a sheer coverage, leaving your skin feel natural.

Diffuses the appearance of pores and blemishes.

Brightens the look of skin for a more awake look.

This product can be worn as a primer before foundation to help give you that truly flawless look.

Or it can be worn alone over moisturizer to give you that nice finished look on the daily.

It does have a sheer finish, but you can layer it without feeling that caked on feeling.

Not only is this product good at hiding flaws it helps heal them over time!

• Perfects: Optical blurring pigment instantly evens out skin tone and minimizes pores, 

lines, wrinkles and redness.

• Protects: SPF 20 shields skin from sun damage and Pepha®-Protect helps inhibit DNA damage.

• Treats: Vitasource™ and dGlyage® firm skin, improve elasticity and provide measurable anti-aging benefits.

• Primes: Extremely blend-able formula creates a smooth finish so makeup goes on beautifully and stays put.

• Hydrates: Moisturizing but never greasy, Naked Skin Beauty Balm hydrates skin instantly and improves hydration over time.

This Product Deserves a Golden Squid!

Wearing

Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm alone no foundation.

Have you tired this product yet and what are your thoughts?

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Why do I need a skin Care Routine?

I wake up in my sisters Manhattan apartment after a last minute decision to spend the night at her place. Coffee is cooking. She is feeding the baby, which is great because neither my husband or I have had a break in over 4 months. I go into the bathroom and look at myself and see this mess of a woman staring back at me.

How do I fix this? How will I feel like me again without all my normal products? Fear sets in. Do I tell my husband we need to go home asap? Do I make a quick run to the drugstore for sample sizes?

No, I will ask my sister if she has anything I could use. Wrong!! She tells me shes doesnt have anything and that she uses her bath oil to take her makeup off!! Is this woman adopted? Did we exit the same womb?

I tell her she needs to start or she will cry for the rest of her life is she doesn't start using the proper products for her face. Why? she asks. Do  you not watch T.V or read magazines?

Woman start to crack and get all wrinkly around our age so its time to start!

So once again I am inspired by my beautiful but strange sister. I am going to break down what products women should use and why. Hopefully she will read this post and get on the ball.

Cleansing Device: There are hundreds of thousands of devices out there that help cleanse your face.
GET ONE! There are cheaper alternatives, but I have been in love with my Clarisonic Mia for about 3 years now and I ain't never going back.

Facial cleanser: This is something that should be gentle, but tough enough to take the day off your face.
I love Purity by Philosophy. It takes my makeup off and leaves my skin feeling soft and cleansed. I also use this to clean my makeup brushes. It is on the pricey side at $10 a bottle.

Daily Exfoliant: Now, I am not saying to scrap your face everyday. But I do like a good daily scrubbing. I have adult acne and I feel this scrubbing has helped keep it at bay. I use the Clean and Clear Deep Action Exfoliating Scrub.

Antibacterial Soap: This is Optional, but with my cystic acne I did have, I feel this helped my out a lot! This gets deep down in there and clears up and bacteria they may be making a home on my face! I use the Noxzema Triple Clean Anti-Bacterial Lathering Cleanser. it is a bit drying, but I need this in my life as I do have oily spots.

Facial Toner: Toners help cleanse the skin as well as shrink the appearance of pores. I use the Dickinsons Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner. Applied with a cotton pad, ball or even a bounty not rubbed but patted on, I honestly will never go without a toner of some sort. It just aint right!

Serum: Now you can apply a moisturizer after your toner, but I promise you. You will never feel the same after you used a serum. They are magical liquids that make your face feel like pure love. All tight and firm, like you are sealing in all that goodness from your washing and scrubbing. Serums help with fine lines, age spots, skin pigmentation. Serums act more quickly than a cream or moisturizer ever could. I am now rotating between 3 at the moment. Two of which I will review soon.

Moisturizer: Moisture. Thats what it does. As we get older we lose our moisture in our bodies and these moisturizers replace what we lose everyday, thats where the lines and wrinkles come in. Babies have a lot of moisture that why their skin is so soft so smooth and ours isn't. I am jealous of babies. Currently I am using Clean and Clear Dual Action Moisturizer. It has acne fighting stuff in it and I like the cool sensation on my face.

Eye Cream: These creams are made for your gentle eye area to hydrate and moisturize them. There are a bagillion out there, so find one that suits your needs. I am currently rotating through 3 of them.

Liz a friend and fellow blogger did a review on one of the eye creams I am using you can find her review here Merlot Grape Seed Eye Cream. The other I did a review on here Garnier Nutritioniste Ultra-Lift Anti-Wrinkle Firming Eye Cream. The third you will just have to come back and check it out soon!


Okay, So that's all I have to say about that. Until My sister says something crazy again!

Do you have a family member like this also?
Did I leave anything out?


Thanks for reading and have a great day!

SmashBox Pro The Master Class Palette II

The phone rings. I answer knowing its my youngest sister who lives in Manhattan. She tells me she wanted some new makeup and stops by Sephora, which is right around the corner from her. Did I tell you I hate my sister? 

She is also the most anti makeup person I know, her beauty stash consists of a bronzer, concealer, eye liner, mascara and a Sephora brush set that came out like 6 years ago. Her lipstick is that Nivea shimmer lip balm thingy and thats it, Period. She keeps all these items in a MAC makeup bag I gave her like 4 years ago, so you get the picture. 

"I didn't know what to get in there, so I got this SmashBox kit thing, is that any good"?

First I asked God why he gives people things they themselves will never understand or appreciate LOL!

Then I ask "What does it say"? She tell me its The SmashBox Pro Master Class Palette and I quote "It comes with all these things and I don't know what to do with them". 

I tell her not to return it that she holds pure gold in her hands and that I will be there in a few day to show her how to use all those things that seem to be confusing her. 

She calls me the next day and tells me that she went back to Sephora and picked up a extra palette for me!!

Did I tell you I love my sister?

So here we are, I present to you 

The SmashBox Pro Master Class Palette II

The Casing is a sturdy dull silver patent leather type finish. 

Finger prints are a problem and don't really go away even if wiped down.

The Palette Boasts a whopping 28 colors of eye shadows.

4 cream liners, 3 blushes, 3 bronzers and 2 highlights and a get the look card (not Pictured)

The color payoff is amazing, there are wonderful transition colors both dark and light.

There are beautiful sparkly colors perfect for a evening out, with the holidays right around the corner I know this will be my go to palette. Some of the and I mean just about 4 of the 28 don't show up on my skin tone, but these colors are perfect for blending out. I love that the shimmers are not overdone and the mattes are deep and rich. You can literally use this palette a million times and never have the same look twice.

The Blushes are very smooth and go on sheer for a nice wash of color, they compliment your skin rather then over it with a dusty powder, which is something I love in a good blush. The two highlighters are amazing they are truly everything a highlighter should be and will work great with any skin tone.

Blushes

Highlighters

                  

The 4 cream liners are great for bases and liners as well. The colors are Black, Navy, Purple and Gold. The black isn't as dark as I would like but as a base it's perfect. These are very pigmented however they will come off quickly if not set, So I only use them as a base and not a liner. 

A little goes a long way with them and I liked that they applied smooth and easy.

These are some of the looks I have created using this amazing palette.

Special Thanks to my sister for purchasing this wonderful Palette for me :)

This Palette Retails for $59.00 ($275 value) at SEPHORA.COM

Have you tried this Palette yet?

Thanks for reading and have a great day!