Since I’m currently between jobs, I’ve been a little less into makeup and more into nail art. As a true beginner with no knowledge of anything that had to do with nails, I swiped a couple of Nail Art Pens by Sally Hansen. You can pick these pens up at drug stores and beauty supply stores for an average price of $6.99. They come in 8 colors and dry fast. It takes some practice to draw designs that actually look good. I started off horrible, but now I’m kind of good. Well, good enough to not have to go to a salon and pay 3 to 4 times more than a couple of these pens cost. This picture shows the first batch of nails I’m not embarrassed to show. Hopefully with enough practice, other people will want me to do their nails for them!

Tea Tree is a natural antiseptic, anti-fungal, and antibacterial essential oil. You can find pure tea tree oil at your local flea market, apothecary, natural food store, and even the dollar store. Instead of spending a bunch of money on zit creams, foot powders and anti-dandruff hair products, try applying some of this natural alternative. A little goes a long way, so here are some ways to use it:

For body irritations such as rashes, stings, bites, burns and soreness:
add about 5 drops to your bath and soak for about 15 mins.

athletes foot or nail fungus:
rub a small amount on the target area

dandruff:
add a drop to your shampoo or
mix with water (1 tbs tea tree oil/1 cup water), spritz on scalp and wash the next morning

For those of you who still have presents to buy, or have husbands that still don’t know what to get for you, here are my Top 10 (in random order) women’s fragrance picks this year:

1. Chance Eau Fraiche (Chanel, $50-$90)

2. Daisy (Marc Jacobs, $20-$72)
3. Love (Harajuku Lovers, $18-$15)
4. Music (Harajuku Lovers, $18-$50)
5. Envy Me (Gucci, $38-$85)
6. Pleasures Exotic (Estee Lauder,$49.50-$72)
7. Beyond Paradise (Estee Lauder, $39.50-$69.50)
8. Miracle (Lancome, $41.50-$74.50)
9. Cashmere Mist (Donna Karan, $10-$98)
10. Japanese Cherry Blossom (Bath & Body Works, $5-$29.50)