To Bang or Not to Bang

The word "bang" will always--and I mean always--conjure up the memory of William Hung singing She Bangs during American Idol tryouts. (:shutters:)

Okay, getting real now: my hair needs an intervention. I've been referring to it as sister-wife hair. It's very long, stringy and all I can seem to do lately is braid it. (Waving hello to any polygamists reading this!)

I'm thinking of getting some layers added and adding bangs. This is me a couple years ago with bangs:

Not too shabby, eh? Here are some looks I've pinned on Pinterest that I really like:

Source: unique-hairstyles.com via Kelly {Prairieglitter} on Pinterest

What do you think? Should I go for it? My hair needs help!

Prairie Glitter Guide: Coconut Oil

Because I had been hearing so much about the benefits of coconut oil, I decided to purchase a tub during my last visit to Whole Foods. After using it several times (for several different purposes), the verdict is in: LOVE.

First, I used it as a hair conditioner. I simply rubbed some of the coconut oil on my dry, tattered ends; put my hair in a high bun; and went to bed. The next morning, I shampooed my hair. My ends really did look shiny and fresh. Now, I understand that you can't "fix" split ends, but I definitely think it made them seem less noticeable, as it kept them more hydrated. My tips would be to make sure you don't put this on your scalp and be sure to get it shampooed out very well. (It can be very greasy!)

I also used the coconut oil on my skin. I have a really strange, rough patch on my knee that I've had for-EVER. Smoothing the coconut oil on that patch a few times a week has really helped smooth it. And a little bit goes a very long way. The coconut oil has a very light, coconut scent. You may smell a bit like a baked good--which isn't all bad.

The next things I plan to try with my coconut oil are to use it as a cuticle/hand moisturizer (goodbye dry man-hands!) and for cooking. I've even read about using it in a tea.

A website called Organicfacts.net has a great write-up about the benefits of using coconut oil here.

Have you tried using coconut oil? What do you think? I'd love to hear!

Beauty Brands on a Budget

If only our makeup bags weren't recession-proof (or college tuition-proof, low-paying-job-proof, had-to-fix-the-car-this-month-proof).

Through the years, I've found a few beauty brands that take it easy on the wallet while delivering pretty darn great results. I admit, there are certain products I splurge on. However, jumping on a trend such as neon eyeliner won't be one of them. Will I even wear it next year?! These scenarios, in my opinion, are the perfect opportunity to try out new, less-expensive brands.

And don't get me wrong. Some of these products are (again, in my opinion) just as good as the expensive stuff. At about $11 a bottle, Revlon Colorstay foundation is extremely affordable. I'm not kidding when I say I'd pay $50 a bottle for this stuff. It's that amazing! I've used it for probably 15 years.

So here are a few of my favorite bargain brands along with a few tips on how to shop for them:

1. Eyes. Lips. Face

Purchase at www.eyeslipsface.com or find this brand at your local Target. Their online site has a huge selection. You can usually search for coupon codes or join their e-mail list as well to receive promotions. I really like their nail polish (great for trying out trendy colors); cream eyeliner pots; liquid eyeliner; and their clear brow gloss. And...AND...their prices start at $1!

2. NYX

Purchase at your local Ulta or ulta.com. There may be other ways to purchase NYX, but these are the two I'm familiar with. I love their eyeshadows and their highly-pigmented eye color tubes. Their products have great color and staying power. Ulta usually has coupons in the Sunday paper (if you have a local Ulta) or online.

3. Avon

While you can still purchase Avon from an "Avon Lady," I prefer to puchase online at avon.com. They often run promotions and sales. One thing many people don't know is that they have an online outlet. It is amazing and I've found so many great deals there. Click here for the Avon Outlet. The quality of Avon is amazing. Some items may be a little pricier than others, but for the quality, I think their line is pretty affordable. I like their lipsticks, eyeshadows and perfumes.

4. Revlon

I don't buy much Revlon except for their Colorstay foundation. As I mentioned above, this stuff is worth its weight in gold. Be sure to check the bottle for a formula suited to your skin. I have very oily skin and purchase the combination/oily formula. You can purchase Revlon Colorstay foundation nearly everywhere. The best deals are at Walgreens, CVS and Ulta. They all occasionally offer a BOGO or BOGO 50 percent off. At Ulta, you can usually combine this with one of their coupons for $3 or $3.50 off a purchase.

5. Wet N Wild

I've used Wet N Wild since I was in junior high. I love their fun lip glosses and nail polish. They also have a pretty mean mascara. Purchase Wet N Wild at almost any beauty retailer such as Ulta, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, etc. Sometimes they offer coupons in magazines, also!

Do you have any favorite "affordable" beauty brands? Cheap beauty tricks? I'd love to hear them!

Rainbow Bright

Colorful makeup palettes always transport me back to my childhood. Having a mother who spent time as an Avon lady, it seemed there was always some sort of bright eyeshadows or lipsticks in the bathroom to experiment with.

When I saw this palette online at E.L.F., I had to have it. Then, when I realized it was on sale for only $10, it made its way into my online shopping cart and the rest is history.

The colors give you great bang-for-your-buck. They're pretty highly-pigmented and go on smooth.















I've used this a ton. Every day, I like to pick out no less than six colors for my eyelids to wear all together. (Just kidding. Made you scratch your head though, huh?) Yes, some of the colors are a bit wild, but I've really been having a lot of fun blending, mixing and matching. I often think people get intimidated by these glossy, bright colors but forget that they can be softened by mixing in a neutral such as a black or brown. Experiment--revisit your youth and spend a Friday night in front of the mirror playing with makeup. That's really what this kit has inspired me to do. And you never know, you may just see me sporting a rainbow-inspired eye today. After all, it is all about confidence anyway, right?