LAST MINUTE "DAY OF THE DEAD" HALLOWEEN COSTUME

A few years ago, my husband and I were hosting a Halloween party and I didn't have a costume ready until the day of.  In last-minute desperation,

10 NON-TOXIC NAIL POLISHES TO OBSESS OVER

Image Credit: @wildheartedesther

A good manicure and pedicure is such a nice little luxury.  But before you splurge on your next trip to the nail salon, you may want to think twice before selecting your nail polish.

A MODERN, ECO-FRIENDLY PERFUME

Image Credit: @wildheartedesther

Beauty columnist for The New York Times Bee Shapiro created Ellis Brooklyn fragrances with the environment in mind, from the packaging and formula to the final product - the definition of luxury for a new generation.

MY CURRENT MAKEUP ROUTINE

Photo Credit: Esther Lu

A few weeks ago, I had briefly lost my makeup bag at a wedding.  My mom later found it and was able to get it back to me two weeks after.  During those two weeks, I thought I had lost every piece of makeup I owned and scrambled to replace them.  Then, it made me wonder.  Did I really need all of this?  I started evaluating each item that I was about to replace.

NATURAL BEAUTY PRODUCT :: SUMMER GLOW WITH AN ORGANIC SELF TANNER

As a true California girl, I love a bronzy tan.  I grew up slathering tanning oil and then baking under the blazing sun.  Now that I'm older (and slightly wiser), I steer clear of sunbathing (skin cancer, age spots & premature wrinkles), tanning beds (overexposure to UV rays), and traditional self-tanners (harmful chemicals, orange tone & streaking).

It's not typical that I buy self-tanners.  I go for more of a simple beauty routine.  But with an upcoming wedding to attend (here's the dress I'll be wearing), I want to look amazing.  As my college roommate Jessica puts it, "no one wants to see fluorescent light-looking legs."  I have been searching for a natural self tanner that won't damage my skin.

The look I am going for is more J. Lo bronze, not orange Donald Trump.  Luckily, I found the perfect product by Coola that delivers it all.

MONEY SAVING TIP :: HOW BUYING TOILETRIES IN BULK SIZES SAVES YOU MONEY

Here is a price comparison to show you how you can save up to 57%, just by purchasing the same product in a larger size.  The reason for the higher cost of the smaller product is due to the cost of more packaging.

MONEY SAVING TIP :: HOW TO EARN CASH BACK WHILE SHOPPING WITH EBATES

Who doesn't like shopping for a good deal?

If there's a way that I can save money by stacking coupons with sales promotions, AND get cash back, it's a successful shopping trip.  Ebates is my go-to website that helps me do just that.  Since 2014, I've saved hundreds of dollars in cash back rewards.

HAIR DONATION

Snip, snip.  There goes 11 inches of hair!

5 EASY STEPS TO DECLUTTER YOUR BEAUTY PRODUCTS

As a girlie girl, I love beauty products.  They can help you unwind after a stressful day, make you feel fabulous for a special event, or cover up those dark circles from lack of sleep.  (I can definitely relate to that last one with a new baby!)  My beauty counter