Recycled Tee Shirt Into DIY Swim Suit Cover

Use an over sized muscle tee and scissors to make a comfy swim suit cover.   Tribal designs are fun and I cut this design to mimic the popular print.

1.  Draw the pattern with a washable marker.

2.  Cut where you have marked to make slits in the tee shirt.

3.  Game time decision, add more lines to make your design more fun.

4.  Using a stretchy strip of fabric to tie the back together to expose some shoulder.  I have a stock pile of old tees that I have cut into scraps and strips for various projects but if you don't simply cut the bottom of your over sized tank off and use that scrap.  Wrap it around and tie tightly to secure, cut off excess.

Lastly wash and wear.

I blog about beauty, skin care and the like but in my time off line I am an avid reduce, reuse and repurposer.  Most of the projects don't have a place here but I have posted some in the past, check out the projects below.

Repurposing without crafting.
Kid Style:  A restyled skirt. 
Tis' the season to repurpose and wrap it up.

Bold Waterproof Eyeliner | Tip Off Tuesday

A good makeup look for the beach that will keep you looking polished is bold eyeliner.

Water makes it tough to keep a made up face but if you want to add a little flavor that will stay put do a bold thick stroke of eyeliner along the top eyelid.  Pair that with waterproof mascara.

This look adds personality to the beauty routine for the heat I published on Monday as part of the Summer Beauty Series.

Best Makeup for Hot Days

If you will be out in the heat, hot sun and maybe sweating a bit minimal makeup is a great option.  The less you have on the less greasy puddle and maintenance required.  I recommend the following beauty routine for a fresh summer face.

• Moisturize before starting any makeup look using a moisturizer for your skin type, for days in the sun don't forget to choose one with SPF. 
• Spot conceal blemishes, hyper pigmentation, dark circles or other problem areas.
• Brush on Mineral Powder Foundation makeup to even out skin tone.  No mineral makeup for you?  Try a light weight tinted moisturizer followed up with a light dusting of loose powder.
• Sweep on bronzer or blush, don't get crazy, keep it light.
• Do something fun on the eyes using waterproof mascara and eyeliner that is smudge proof.  Pictures of my go to eye makeup for the beach will be this Tuesday's tip, come back for the easy how to.
• Dress your lips up however you like with a lip product containing SPF.

Tote some blotting papers.  **Tip**The mineral makeup will have the least amount of makeup rub off when absorbing oil with the blotting papers.

If forehead shine is a problem use an oil absorbing primer to start with.

Both tinted moisturizer and mineral powder foundation is available with SPF.

Beauty Beach Bag Essentials | Summer Beauty

Beach Bag Beauty Essentials by amariebeauty featuring a tinted moisturizer

Keeping a fresh pulled together look poolside or lounging on the beach can be tough.  Water and sunshine have a way of making a mess of things.

I am not a fan of toting a bunch of things on my outdoor ventures.  I also want to be put together without over doing it so I am comfortable and looking decent.  Here is my list of beauty essentials for summer.

• sunblock  Spf is a face and body must for healthy skin, prevention of sunburn and premature aging.
• body spray  Refreshing and a lighter scent than a heavier perfume, perfect for summer.
• blotting papers  Absorb oils pooling on the face without removing all your makeup.
• tinted moisturizer  Semi evened out coverage and SPF protection combo available.
• waterproof mascara  Keeps lashes lovely and raccoon eye smears away.
• waterproof eyeliner  Gives a finished look without smudging off.
• makeup remover wipes  When all else fails wipe away and start over or go bare faced with SPF of course.
• lip balm with SPF  Avoid dried out lip burn by using this stuff often.

The Summer Beauty Series continues next week with a fun look using the waterproof liner, a DIY and makeup for the heat.

How to Protect your Hair from Pool Water | A Free DIY

To protect your hair from all the chemicals in pool water and prevent swimmers hair try a do it yourself spray on hair protector.

If you get into the pool with dry hair your hair soaks up the water and chemical treatments in the pool.  Preventing that is simple.  Don't get in with dry hair.  Wet your hair with a spray made of 10 parts water to 1 part conditioner.  Having your hair already wet means the water doesn't absorb right in to your hair and the conditioner is an extra shield of protection.

This is great to stash for the kids near the pool or in the beach bag to go.

Read more posts from the Summer Beauty Series.  Later in the series we are making another DIY hair spray for summer.

Sunscreen for Oily/Acne Prone Skin

SPF Moisturizer for Oily and Acne Skin Types by amariebeauty featuring oversized sunglasses

Oily and Acne prone skin is already tough to find a moisturizer for.  So many ladies with this skin type will just skip moisturizer all together thinking the oilyness provides moisture and adding a bottle of the good stuff will only make it worse.  Not the case you just have to know your skin type and educate yourself on the products and ingredients best suited for your needs.

Being out in the summer sun is definitely not the time to skip the moisture, it is time to find one with SPF to protect your pretty faces from UV rays and premature aging.

I rounded up these moisturizers with SPF for Oily and Acne skin types.  I wish I was magic and could tell you exactly what will work for you but sadly trial and error until excellence is achieved is the only method.

Oil of Olay Complete SPF 15  
Oil free and nourishing.  Very basic but effective.  Olay works for many with sensitive skin issues.  This formula does include some vitamin C and E for smoothing and hydrating purposes.  $10 avg price

Neutrogena Oil Free Moisture with SPF 35
Light weight, non-greasy and easily absorbed.  It is oil free, fragrance free and contains no drying alcohol which is a concern for many people combating breakouts.  You get broad band sun protection and good oil free moisture.  $10 avg price

Murad Anti-Aging Acne Moisturizer SPF 20
Marketed as a 3 in 1 product and the ingredients back it up.  Willow bark to control oil and help with occasional adult breakouts, Kombucha Collagen Defense helps stimulate collagen production to help keep fine lines from forming and the UV blocking SPF protects from premature aging like fine lines and dark spots.  $46 avg price

Read the beginning of the Summer Series and come back for more, the series is just getting started. XO
Additional basic skin care reading.

What to Wear at the Beach | White Linen Shirt Dress

White dresses are in for summer 2012 so sorting through the countless beach styles I am rocking with the white linen shirt dress.  I choose it for its light weight, cinched waist, and versatility.

1 dress 3 ways - beach, boardwalk and nightlife by amariebeauty featuring an espadrille wedge

At the beach.
On the boardwalk.
For the night life.

The white linen shirt dress has you covered sister.  This one was less than thrity dollars at Old Navy.

I joined a fun Polyvore linkup, visit more sets in the button below.   This post is part of my on going Summer Beauty Series.

Makeup Brush Care for the Summer | Tip Off Tuesday

I covered the topic of cleaning your makeup brushes and cosmetic bags earlier this year but with the temperatures getting hotter and the faces getting greaser I thought we would revisit the issue.  Trying to combat oil and shine is tougher in the summer so be diligent with keeping your brushes clean weekly to avoid makeup and oil build up which will only add to the dilemma.  Click the links below to read my original posts.


How to clean your makeup brushes.  Don't worry it's quick, cheap and easy!
Don't forget your makeup bag!  It can harbor bacteria.

Graduation Day Makeup and Emergency To Go Bag

Graduation is a busy day with lots of photos being taken and close encounters being had, be prepared.
Start the day with moisturizer with SPF.  Moisturize to prime the face and get longer where out of your foundation.

A good rule of thumb for big days in your life is to wear your hair and makeup in a similar way as you normally do.  You want to A. look like yourself in the memories and B. feel comfortable on special days.
Add a little extra makeup to prevent being washed out in photo's but don't go over board, this is not glamour shots.

Graduation Day Emergency Beauty Kit by amariebeauty featuring matte makeup

For touch ups and emergency beauty fixes stash items like these in a to go bag.  Some of you may have a huge to go bag, just don't forget to add these things for quick and crucial beauty problems. 

Quick Fix Items

1. blotting papers - Big days get exciting, excitement can get greasy.
2. powder - If said greasyness happens you may need to touch up.
3. a small comb and hair band - If things get real ugly a girl can always revert to a messy bun!  
4. body spray - see number 1
5. mints - Lot's of up close and personal time, keep the breath fresh.

See what I stash in my makeup to go bag for when my face needs a little perk up.

This post is linked up to Blog Love Therapy's beauty blog hop.

DIY a Pro Pedicure at Home | How To

Sandal season is here so it's time to up your pedicure game.  Save $30. this week and do it yourself with these tips from the spa.

Of course your toes are not going to look as polished at home if you just whip out a quick polish change.  There is a method to the pro magic.  Follow these steps to get top notch results and save hundreds of dollars a year.

Do It Yourself Pedicure by amariebeauty featuring The Body Shop beauty products
1. Soak feet for about 5 minutes in a foot soak.
2. Remove old polish.
3. Clip, file and clean toe nails. 
4. Massage in foot scrub, rinse well in your soak tub.
5. Treat any callus at this time, use a callus softener then file in a circular motion using a foot file or pumice stone.  A product with Alpha Hydroxy Acid helps slough off the outer layer of dead skin making it a prime ingredient for callus softening.  Salicylic acid is easily found in acne treatment gels, that is what I use with much success. 
6. Push back cuticles, then brush the nail bed with a wet nail brush.
7. Apply lotion.
8. Clean nails with polish remover, this removes the lotion from the nail to insure the polish will adhere for longest wear.
9. Apply base coat,2 coats of color and a top coat.  Wait one minute between coats.
10. Allow polish to sit and spray with a quick dry spray (optional).

This is post 2 of the Summer Beauty Series.  Read the intro and post 2, SPF for Lips.