Helpful tips I've picked up...

There are somethings that I've learned that looking back I think, "How could I have ever lived without this?"

1. The BEST thing to soothe and cure a sore, cut up nose from constant blowing when you have a cold: medicated chapstick. Make sure you buy two however, as you shouldn't share the one for your lips with the one for your nose. I usually take the chapstick and rub it all over my clean, dry nose before bed, making sure to get every little cut, dry crevice, and sore spots. The medicated smell and feel initially has a burning feeling, but feels very soothing after a while. I leave this on all night and wake up to a much happier nose ready for another day of sneezing and blowing. Try this next time people mistake you for Rudolph.

2. Static Guard - Does your hair suffer from chronic static cling during the winter months? This product will save you from a ton of frustration. You might initially be wondering if this can damage hair since its most typical use is to solve static cling in clothing, but if you look on the back of the can, it actually says that this can be used to prevent flyaways in hair. I tend to get the most static after blow drying my hair or brushing it and usually only in the winter. I solve the problem by lightly spray it all over (much like a hairspray but with a lighter hand) or spray it directly on my brush before brushing. Another great item to help prevent this issue is a fabric softener dryer sheet. Rub the sheet all over your hair to help tame hair that is full of static. I usually carry one in my purse for on the go problem solving. One sheet lasts about 2 times. Be gone electrocuted looking hair!

3. Brush your lips while you brush your teeth. This will exfoliate them which helps rid them of peeling and dead skin cells. After, apply a moisturizing lip balm (my current favorite is Nivea's A Kiss of Milk and Honey Soothing Lip Care) before you apply your makeup. Leave your lips for last. By the time you are ready to apply lipstick or gloss, the balm has prepped your lips for a smooth application and has also left them feeling hydrated, moisturized, soft and supple for lots of smooching later!

4. Johnson and Johnson's Shea and Cocoa Butter Baby Oil Gel - This is the best kept secret for shiny healthy looking legs. If you are thinking of wearing a mini skirt or shorts this summer, don't leave the house without applying this . This gives a sheen like no other without the sticky oily feeling contrary to its name. I love smoothing this all over my skin right after I get out of the shower for touchably soft skin. I sound like a corny commercial, but its true!

5. In need of a dotting tool to keep up with the latest nail art trend? Simply push a pin that has a round head into the eraser end of a pencil and wallah! The perfect dot every single time!

6. This next helpful tip (which is not beauty related, but will change your life forever) came directly from my boyfriend who after suggesting it left me shocked and honestly feeling a little dumb for not thinking of it myself. How many of you struggle with the extremely short charger cord for the iPhone, iPad, iAnything? Like c'mon, who was the genius that decided they were going to save the company a few extra dollars by making that thing ridiculously short? After about a year into having my iPad and having to sit on the floor near the outlet every time it threatened 10% battery life, I almost gave in and was about to shell out the $30 for the longer charger at the Apple store. Of course my boyfriend, being apparently way more MacGyver savvy simply said, "Why don't you just attach a white extension cord to your charger?" I looked at him like someone had stolen a whole year from my life.

I hope these little helpful hints help you a little too!

Xoxo,

Monica