Chocolate Beauty Products

(Image from www.theberry.com)

The Berry is one of my favourite sites. For those of you who have not yet experienced the hilarity, I strongly suggest you take a look at www.theberry.com for funny stories, pictures of cute animals, beauty tips, and more.

Today they grabbed me with "14 Chocolate-Inspired Beauty Products". Check it out here.

How to Rescue Your Clothing From Colour Bleeding and Salt Stains

We’ve all had those days when we’ve been caught in the rain, splashed by a driver going through a muddy puddle, or slipped on the ice and landed in a snowbank. While none of these things are particularly enjoyable, they don’t need to mean disaster for your clothes.

We probably all know to not fold (or crumple) a wet or stained item and put it in a drawer. The best case scenario is wrinkles, but it’s much more likely the item will mildew. There’s more to rescuing your clothing from a damp, mildewy death than hanging them up. 

Throwing everything into the wash as soon as you get home isn’t as bad as stuffing them in a drawer, but this can damage your items and doesn’t always fully remove any stains.

Here’s a how-to guide to rescuing wet clothes from leaking colour and salt stains.

Colour Bleeding

Several times I’ve had dark wash jeans leak onto lighter shirts when the jeans get wet. It’s one of the side effects of growing up in a province that gets a lot of snow in the winter and a lot of sun in the spring.

Jeans that have been washed several times can still leak dye onto other fabrics, especially if they are an extremely dark wash. This is because most companies dye their denim using a synthetic indigo dye, which lasts longer than its original natural form.

Pre-treatments will be your BFF for getting denim dye out of whatever item it has soaked into. First, lay the item flat on a hard surface that won’t be impacted by the pretreatment, such as the top of the washer. Apply a gel or liquid pretreatment such as Oxi Clean to the area. With a soft scrub brush, work the treatment into the item. Let it sit for up to an hour.

Don’t have a pretreatment? In a pinch, white vinegar makes a good stain remover on white items.

After the pretreatment has had time to set, throw the item into the washer. Use the hottest water the fabric can stand. Check the tag to see what that is. Set your washer to a regular wash cycle.

If the item is white, add chlorine bleach. If it is a colour, use colour-safe bleach such as Clorox 2 Laundry Stain Remover and Colour Booster.

For hand-wash only items, follow the same steps, but instead of using the washer fill a clean sink or large bucket with hot water. Gently rub the bleach into the fabric and let it sit for up to twenty minutes.

When the wash cycle is done, check the item to see if the stain is gone. If so, dry it as usual. If not, repeat the steps above.

Salt Stains

These develop from doing pretty much anything outside in the winter and spring. Whether they show up as high-tide marks on your pants or splashes on your coat, these white marks are not a good look.

To get rid of them without damaging the fabric, soak a soft cloth in warm water. Gently dab at the marks until they aren’t visible. Blotting the stain will get the salt off without pushing it further into the fabric.

Hang up the item to air dry. Do not put it in the dryer as the heat will set the stain. Once the item has dried, use a soft brush - such as a clean makeup brush you don’t use anymore - to lightly brush the dried salt off the fabric.

If you can still see any salt, dilute one tablespoon of white vinegar in four cups of warm water. Use your soft cloth to gently wipe the fabric with the mixture. From here wash and dry the item as you usually would.

Do you have go-to stain remover method? Let us know in the comments.

Campus Style That Stands Out

Sometime over the last few years, university-goers have developed a dress code. We’ve all seen it – leggings, plaid shirts, Ugg boots, and oversized scarves. While we love all of these things, we don’t love being identical to several hundred other people.

Paying attention to your campus style can easily fall to the bottom of your priority list, especially when you are overloaded by classes, exams, studying, working, and maintaining your social life. Being stylish on campus doesn't have to take a lot of effort - a few key pieces can spice up your wardrobe and make you stand out from the crowd (in a good way).

Here’s everything you need to know to stand out on campus.

Get a pair of jeans that fit like a dream.

Denim Skinny Jean, $46

When you spend all day in class, comfort is a necessity. This is why leggings are so comfortable. Like leggings, jeans that fit properly are super comfy, and go with everything. Jeans also tend to be more durable, and can be worn all year round. 

Jeans that have a high amount of stretch are comfortable enough to last all day without becoming a baggy sack by mid-afternoon. Dark denim is versatile enough to take you from class to post-exam drinks, whereas light washes are much more casual.

Opt for a mid-rise instead of something super low cut to prevent having to pull them up every ten minutes. A skinny or boot cut leg can be paired with flats, runners, or tucked into boots without extra fabric sticking out.

Try a different kind of boot.

As a Canadian, I understand the need for practical footwear in the winter. However, Ugg boots are not the only option. They do, however, make the perfect commuter shoe. If you want to keep your toes dry and warm during the winter, Uggs are a great option. Once you get to campus though, consider switching them out for a different shoe. 

Try a faux-leather boot lined with fleece. The lining makes them just as warm as Uggs, plus there are a ton more options for styles. For an added bonus, they’re water resistant. Boots that reach mid-calf will keep the snow out while looking fabulous. Knee-high versions will keep your legs toasty, but may be too warm for a whole day inside.

Before the snow flies, go for an ankle boot. This cute alternative to a mid-calf boot will keep your toes warm without extra bulk. These boots also pair perfectly with skinny jeans to give you a put-together style without looking like you spent an hour choosing an outfit.

Swap your top.

When everyone wears a version of the same shirt, we all start look like clones.

Faux Suede Cardigan, $41

Sure, plaid flannel is trendy right now - it's cute, casual, and appropriate for daytime.

Start your own trend with a long-sleeve blouse, tanks layered under a loose cardigan or a thin-knit sweater. Don’t worry – your favourite scarf will still go with all of these.

Cardigans that are open with a draped front are flattering for larger busts, and allow you to wear tanks or t-shirts underneath. A solid cardigan can be paired with patterned shirts and vice versa.

Have an idea for campus chic clothing? Share with us in the comments.

The Basic Beauty Tip You've Forgotten About

When it comes to a beauty regimen, we all have our own routines and tend to do things the same way every time. This is definitely a time-saver, but there is one important step that tends to be forgotten, and leaving it out can cause some serious damage to your skin.

Here’s why washing your makeup brushes should become part of your routine.

Why Wash?

Washing your makeup brushes is essential for healthy skin. When you use your brushes, they not only get gunked up with makeup, but they also hold on to oil from your skin. Add in some dead skin cells and moisturizer residue, and you’ve got a yucky cocktail.

Once you rub this combo on your face, you’re likely to end up with clogged pores. As we all know, this results in acne, which leads most of us to put on extra concealer to try and cover up the spots. In turn, your brushes get more makeup on them and the cycle continues.

Using a dirty brush also means that your makeup doesn’t go on as smoothly as it should. When the bristles are full of gunk they don’t blend properly, resulting in a patchy or streaky face.

How to Tell if You Need to Wash Your Brushes

There are a few giveaways as to when you should wash your brushes. 

-      -- Your brushes are new and you haven't used them yet

-     --  You’ve never washed your brushes

-      -- It’s been more than one month since you washed them last

-     --  You can see a buildup of makeup on the bristles

-      -- They feel rough to the touch

How to Wash Your Brushes and What to Use

Before you panic, you don’t need to wash your brushes every day. Most experts suggest washing them at least once a month. If you have sensitive skin I suggest washing them every two to three weeks.

Step 1 – Fill a bowl with hot, soapy water. If your facial cleanser lathers, use a couple drops to make lots of suds. If it doesn’t, pick up a cleanser that creates bubbles from the drugstore that contains salicylic acid. This helps prevent acne, and since you aren’t applying it directly to your face you don’t need to worry about a new cleanser conflicting with your regular stuff.

For an inexpensive option, I’d suggest Bioré Foam Cleanser. It’s gentle and has a light minty scent. For sensitive skin, try Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser. This cleanser is designed to remove dirt and makeup in one fell swoop so it's perfect for cleaning brushes. 

Step 2 – Soak your brushes for 10 to 15 minutes. Once they’ve soaked, gently rub the bristles while they’re underwater. Make sure you aren’t too rough, or the bristles will start to fall out.

Step 3 – Empty the water from the bowl, and run warm water over the brushes. You may need to gently rub another drop of soap into some of the brushes to get rid of stubborn makeup. When the water runs clear, your brushes are clean.

P.S. Like the brushes in the photo? Visit www.orchidoak.com to order them!

Have a beauty tip we should know about? Share with us in the comments.

First peek at our products!

Orchid & Oak is on its way to launching! Here's a sneak peek at some of the items we'll be carrying.

Something I think every girl needs in her closet is a great pair of classic jeans. We found skinny jeans that fit the bill perfectly. They have a ton of stretch, and the darker wash makes it easy to take them from day to evening. Available in sizes 10-14.

A classy going-out top can be hard to find. This piece strikes a balance between feminine and flirty, while at the same time being super comfortable. Try this double-layered lace top for your next date night. Available in sizes 12-22.

Every outfit needs accessories. Step up your jewelry game with an ear cuff, like this rhinestone dragon. 

With autumn underway it will soon be time to add gloves to your outfit. These cashmere and kidskin gloves are ideal for falling temperatures. 

Orchid & Oak will be open soon, so check back frequently for updates, sneak peeks, and coupon codes!