The War Against Acne!!

As I have mentioned a few times in past posts, I have been at battle with a very stubborn opponent known as, ACNE! She is not nice at all, extremely annoying, and very aggravating. As if when she pops up to say hi, it's as if she is trying to instigate and provoke my frustration on purpose...So, I caved... I gave into the VERY over hyped, in my opinion, Pro Active. I have to admit I was a bit skeptical when ordering this product due to many mixed reviews, however on the other hand, I thought, what would I have to lose, other then a few dollars to by the product along with my curiosity of whether it works or not. When receiving the product, I have to say I was a bit perturbed. It took well over a week maybe even two, for them to respond to me that they were finally sending out my product, however it did arrive within 2 to 3 days after the message was sent. I was a bit excited when finally receiving the package. I admit I did get butterflies, hoping it was the answer to my prayers. I couldn't wait to wash my face!


Sooo my review on this product after using it for half a month is, IT WORKS!! I would say that 90% to 95% of my acne has been put to rest, so far. Don't get me wrong, although this product does do a good job at clearing up your acne, it does come with its cons. After using the product for the first few days my acne was clearing up, but by the end of the week I literally felt as if I was leather face. My skin was sooo tight and extremely dry and I have combination/oily skin. It was as if when I went to moisturizer my face the moisturizer laughed and said "Oh yea Right!" All in all, with my experience, yes this product does work but you must make sure to find a good balance when using it. If you have dry or sensitive skin, I wouldn't recommend this product as it can be too harsh for your skin. However if you do decide to take a crack at it, don't be afraid, I would minimize the use to 2-3 times per week and a lot of moisturizer. The moisturizer I found that worked wonders in combination with proactive is Philosophy's Hope in a Jar.

I hope this post was able to be of service to you in some way and if you are or have struggled with acne and have found a system that works for you, Please leave a comment! I would love to know!

Peace&Clear Skin,
Amber Nicole

Lush Reviews - Grease Lightning

When it comes to skin care regarding your face, this is a tricky situation that you must get just right. As I have gotten older I'm realising that my skin has become more and more unmanageable and sensitive. More so then when I was in my teens. WTF??? Backwards right?? So at the moment I am seeking out the perfect skin regime when it comes to my face. Haven't quite locked down one that I am comfortable with but when I do, trust, I will let you know. So getting on to the point of this post. A couple weeks ago I took a trip to Lush and while I was there I made sure to pick up Grease Lightning, which I have heard nothing but great reviews about. Coincidentally this product came at a time when my skin had an insane reaction to a new tinted moisturizer I have been trying. I must say that this is a brilliant product not only because it works but it is made with all natural ingredients, always a plus in my book. I find that when comparing this topical acne treatment to others out on the market, Grease Lightning is the best by far. It immediately works to zap your unwanted zits and remains quite gently as to not affect your surrounding layer of skin. I've noticed with other treatments they tend to be ridiculously drying and make my skin look crusty and flaky, GROSS. Not Grease Lightning at all! Definitely a must if you are fighting the war with acne... to be continued =D

Peace&Clear Skin!
Amber Nicole

Make-up Masterclass by Jemma Kidd

So recently I have just become more and more obsessed with make-up and fashion more so make-up as fashion and clothes have always been my first obsession. As I have been building my make-up collection, in which I blame youtube for, I realized, now what to do with all of it?? I've always been one to keep things quite natural when wearing anything on my face, so I thought it be best to seek out some source of self taught material on make-up. Granted youtube is very helpful and was actually the first to get me more interested in make-up, however, there is just something about actual reading material and illustrations that catch my eyes and soak up my brain cells a lot more. I took a trip to my local bookstore and came across a good selection of make-up books by well known and respected make-up artists. I wanted them all but made my final decision with Jemma Kidd. I find that this book is very thorough and incorporates all the latest and up to date techniques and trends when it comes to make-up and the overall application of it. Also in the book you will find helpful tips and tricks when it comes to your skin and taking care of yourself. Definitely recommend this book, it's a must in every make-up beginners collection!

Peace&Jemma Kidd!
Amber Nicole <3

Unbroken Mold

In her lies the mystery that no one knows,
if they only knew to walk the line she dares to go,
Or dream the dream of dreams where in our hearts we hold,
the power to live the life we yearn for, till our days grow old,
only truth speaks true when our reflection looks back with eyes empty and cold,
from a world of muffled cries, hidden tears, and fake smiles that are often sold,
She prays the day will come when our awakening radiates our love for life and causes us to unfold,
but in her dreams the dream remains an unbroken mold,
because in her lies the mystery that no one knows...

I'm becoming a vegetarian... whhaaa???

Hey Beautifuls!
This post is going to be giving you the 411 and some tips on becoming a vegetarian. First off, a vegetarian lifestyle is very healthy for you and has been shown in studies to be very beneficial to our health and well being. Second, despite what you might have heard, there are more then one specific type of vegetarian. Third, again this is a lifestyle, not a diet. With that being said let's get to it.

What exactly is vegetarianism/vegetarian you may ask?
A: Vegetarianism is the practice of following a plant-based diet including fruits, vegetables, cereal grains, nuts, and seeds, with or without dairy products and eggs. A vegetarian does not eat meat, including: red meat, game, poultry, fish, crustacea, shellfish, and products of animal slaughter such as animal-derived gelatin and rennet.

Worried you can't do without some of the foods mentioned?
A: Worry not! Like I said before, there are several different styles of vegetarianism such as the following:

Semi-vegetarian- diets primarily consist of vegetarian foods, though occasional exceptions are made for some non-vegetarian foods, including fish, poultry and red meat.

Flexitarianism: A diet that consists primarily of vegetarian food, but includes occasional exceptions such as red meat.

Pescetarianism: A diet that is mainly vegetarian but also includes fish and sometimes other seafood.

Pollotarianism: A diet that is mainly vegetarian but also includes poultry.

Lacto-ovo vegetarianism is a vegetarian diet that permits consumption of animal products such eggs, milk, and honey.

Lacto vegetarianism permits milk but abstains from eggs.

Ovo vegetarianism permits eggs but abstains from milk.

Veganism abstains from all animal flesh and animal products, including milk, honey, and eggs.


So don't sweat it! Leading this very beautiful lifestyle can be quite easy and simple if you put your mind and heart to it. Odds are if you are interested in becoming a vegetarian and are reading this post then you are already taking the necessary steps on your path. What I found very resourceful to help build my knowledge was books, books,books, and of course the Internet. The very first book that I picked up and literally through me over the edge into this lifestyle was
"Skinny Bitch". This book is a must! Not necessarily for becoming a vegetarian but for your overall knowledge of what you are putting into your body. The writers of this book really did not hold back what so over when unveiling the truth about what is really behind the food industry i.e. factory farmed animals, pesticides, cancerous sugars, puss bacteria filled milk, and the list goes on. I warn you this book is not for the overly sensitive. I myself cried through a couple of pages in the book and there are even pages that I couldn't even attempt to bring myself to read. (the chapter was on how animals people eat are brutally slaughtered) :(
Aside from this book, I recommend beginners guide to becoming a vegetarian and vegetarian cookbooks. These books not only give you tips on what meals to put together but go into detail on what to look for when needing the right source of protein, minerals, vitamins, carbs, and fats, to keep yourself healthy.
I hope you are able to find this post at least a bit informative on your venture. I wish you all the best and please feel free to ask me any questions you may have.

Peace&Vegetarians!,
Amber Nicole

Mac Haul!!

So I've purchased a thing or two from MAC once before in my whole entire life time and found myself wanting to revisit my nearest MAC counter for a second time. I got a few things, some basics, a lippy, and pigments. My verdict...... Sorry MAC lovers, but soo not impressed. I spent a rounded out total of 90 freaken bucks which pains my heart and my wallet to say. First off every time I've visited a MAC counter they either look pissed at the world, inconvenienced by whoever crosses their path, or like they just want to get the sale over with. Like WTF! So anyways I put up with the chicks rudeness and didn't blame her because it was close to closing and and knew she had to be tired. After getting the products home and really checking them out I was a bit disappointed with the pigments and lipstick. I couldn't even swatch one of the pigment colors because the dang cap wouldn't unscrew! WTF! Think I'm making a trip back for a return. All in all I believe that it's the prices that don't really sit well with me. They are a bit ridiculous in my opinion, lower your prices and I'll be a happy camper :)

Peace&Make-Up,
Amber Nicole

Accessorize Yourself!

It's time to accessorize if you aren't already. Do you ever find yourself frustrated over a dull outfit?? Just add some pizzazz to your outfit with a chunky or exaggerated necklace, eye catching bracelets, fun funky rings, and don't forget the hair! You can always throw the attention off of a boring outfit by focusing up towards your beautiful face with a lovely hair accessory and you're ready to go... Create a Great day!!

Peace&Accessories,
Amber Nicole

p.s. All of the accessories can be found at the following stores: Target, Wet Seal, Forever 21, and Claire's. If you have any ?'s feel free to ask :)

Lush Cupcake Fresh Face Mask Review

First off I just need to say, this is an effin amazing product! To give you a background on my skin type, I should let you know that I have combination to oily skin. Leaning more towards the oily side, ew. I haven't really suffered with issues such as severe acne. I do have my occasional 1 to 2 zits especially around the time that the red dot wants to visit each month, ew again. Lately however, for the past few months I'm finding that I have been getting 2 to 3 zits each week and that is just not kosher. It really woke me up and made me realize that I need to take more care of my skin and be more aware of what I put on it and of course in it. So through my search to find the proper face products for my skin situations I came across "Cupcake" during my first ever visit to Lush in Carmel, Ca. Thankfully I did. This mask is fantastic! Not only do you want to eat it but you also want to shed a tear over how good it makes your face feel... OK maybe that was a bit too dramatic, but it is true. This mask is specifically designed to help those with oily problematic skin. So if you look like you have been eating extra crispy Kentucky Fried Chicken all day or you're going through puberty, maybe you have or are, then this is the product for you! You simply apply it to a clean damp face and leave it on for 5-10 min. Even the process of putting it on feels sooo good. When it comes time to take of the mask it can be a bit messy, obviously, you're dealing with chocolate and mud! So what I find to be the most effective way to not make so much of a mess is to get a hand towel that you don't mind staining, soak it with warm water, ring it out, lay it over your face and gently massage with the tips of your fingers in little circular motions. Once you have done that for 30 to 60 seconds, take the towel and slowly wipe of the mask. Voila! Enjoy your new fresh face! A+ Lush!

I Dare You...

I dare you to jump,
I dare you to breath,
I dare you to look at what's hiding underneath
Give me you and I'll give you me, as I take your hand guiding you to where your life can be
I dare you to laugh,
I dare you to cry,
I dare you to love,
I dare you to fly, Give me yours and I'll give you mine, watch me take you beyond the skies
I dare you to fall,
I dare you to fail,
This is no sweet little fairytale
I dare you to dream,
I dare you to feel,
Your life is screamin' that this shit is real
I dare you to be a voice,
I dare you to listen,
My sweet child, you dont know what your lifes been missin'
I dare you to take,
I dare you to give,
Most of all, Love,
I dare you to live!

And the Day Came to Blossom...

"It's a new day!" What are you going to do with this day you have been given?? Is it time for change? No matter how big or small, make today a productive one. Whether it be cleaning out your closet or creating an action plan on how you're going to safely lose those extra 5 or 10 lb's. It is absolutely imperative that you not get too comfortable in life to the point where months and years have gone by and your asking yourself why you haven't done what your heart has been calling you to do. NO MORE EXCUSES! It's a new day... Don't allow your mind to cripple your world. Get up and make this day and the rest that follow, count!

Peace N Blossom,

Amber Nicole

True Love???

Is it Love??? How do you know??? How do you know when to separate attachment from love? Do you love that person because you need them or do you need them because you love them??? That is the question and deserves a clear answer. Through my observation it has come to my awareness that the love we seek from others is really the love we are blinded to find within ourselves. As human beings we are conditioned to explore outside our means for what can bring us happiness; ranging from story book fairytales, the oh so famous perfect vampire love/boyfriend, media, tabloids, the rising popularity of reality t.v., (which at times make me want to vomit over how ridiculous people can be.) So the whole point of this post is what love really comes down to, and it's YOU. Answer me this: When we begin to feel lonely in our relationship, unloved and starving for attention, we have our own little way of making it known to our significant other. In which they come back shocked believing to have done everything they could possibly do to make us happy and at one point are stuck with saying "I just don't know what I can do to make you happy anymore." Yeah, I know those words feel all to familiar. Ok, here's the question that I want your answer to... Is it really your significant other not showing you attention, not making you happy, not loving you? Or could it possibly be, You? Seriously think about this question before you answer because I know you want to point the finger. You see the truth is this... It just might be that your partner is slacking on the affection side however the bigger picture is that they are just a mirror image of You, where in turn, You are failing to show affection to yourself. This, my friend, is not so healthy. Chances are this maybe an all to familiar cycle for you, feeling unloved at times, that is. Well stop it!! Stop the cycle! Learn to love yourself, explore who you truley are. I dare you to look at your own reflection and ask yourself if you really love You. If that person you see in the mirror is genuinely happy and fulfilled within do to your own doings, well than by all means dump that bastard assmunch and move to the next best thing!! But just don't forget that reflection in the mirror along the way because they need love too. Remember you are beautiful, life is precious, and you deserve nothing but the best. :)

Peace&Reflection,
Amber Nicole

My first ever lush experience and haul!

So like many, I had watched a crap load of reviews on this so called gotta have it place called Lush. I visited the website and was like "HOLY BUTTERBALL THIS ISH IS EXPENSIVE!" and went on about my day not giving another thought to it. But then I noticed lush was just EVERYWHERE. It was always lush this and lush that and OMG I WANT TO EAT IT! and I was like really?!?! Soon I found myself with this nagging curiosity that would just not go away. I looked up my nearest lush locations and found that there would be a lush in exactly the same place we were going on our vacation, and it's quite a small town, so was it a sign??? So we arrive to our destination and foot it to try and find this magical place that is so raved about. All of the sudden my eyes stopped searching and my nostrils led the way. There she was! As soon as my foot stepped over the crack past the entrance I felt as if I had saw the light and heard the soft angelic "aaaahhh" melody in the background. Ok, so it wasn't that dramatic, but all in all I could tell why Lush has created sooo many addictions across the world. Lush has officially made me feel like a "Rock Star" and I can't wait to "Avo Bath" everynight haha! I completely recommend that you give lush a try, if you haven't already. Trust me you won't be disapointed!

Until next time, you amazing people you...

Peace&Lush,
Amber Nicole