Shila@shibyshila.com - Shí by SHILA

Kneipp and Baby bath

Posted on May 24, 2017

Since I got the green light on starting to bathe my little one I used this potent lavender oil in all his baths, and still continue on doing so until he gets tired of it.

Let me back up a little. My baby had “Colic” what is colic? well that’s a whole new blog. I had no idea what colic was until I experienced it with my son. He would not stop crying and would have stomachache after each feed (every hour) therefore it made it very difficult for him to fall asleep not to mention myself. So I was desperate to try anything to help him calm down and have him relax a bit.

I received this oil from an office baby shower basket. At first I thought it was for MAMA, but than I read up about it and decided to use it for my little one. I have to admit I had no idea how much I needed to add to the bath water so I went through the first bottle in less than two months! The fact that the bottle didn’t come with a dropper didn’t help either. After I purchased my second bottle I started using a medicine dropper and add only ONE drop (more than enough) in the bath water. we are well in the third month now and the bottle is still half full. Yay!

I highly recommend this oil. It’s the best and most potent that’s out there and it smells great. I have also used some other oils for my little ones colic. I will write another blog on everything that has helped both of us thus far.

XOXO

Lifestyle Music

Man O To

Posted on April 22, 2017

As always I have Pandora on my new Alexa trying to do multiple things around the house, and I hear a beat that makes me stops everything.

“Alexa Volume UP” yep curious and excited I hear a beautiful beat with Farsi lyrics and old school Persian song but it was clearly it was a remix.

I had to find out who and what it was….
Mano o To ( You and I ) by NU

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did

XOXO

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Beauty Lifestyle

Grow Gorgeous End Split Ends

Posted on April 10, 2017

Having tried all types of leave on mask and Split Ends ointments after an unfortunate accident doing Ombré, I have finally found the holy grail for Split Ends. Yes ladies, prepare yourself, this product works and it only costs $24.00! What? As I had mentioned in previous blogs, I have started using Grow Gorgeous brand over a year ago (OMG time flies) I started with their Grow Gorgeous Hair Serum. (read it here) and evolved by using the rest of the products from this amazing and affordable brand.

I have become and avid user of this product along with the serum and leave in conditioner. But let me tell you about this End Split Ends a little before I get distracted with other products they offer.

How to apply: Towel dry hair after shower and apply it to your hair specially to the ends where the split ends are.

You can also apply it to your dry hair but I personally think that it is more effective if you use it after you wash your hair before you put on any products in the hair, and massage it through the split ends for a minute or two. I have been using the famous Arago Oil for my dry hair with split ends, and I still do but in combination with Grow Gorgeous End Split Ends. And let me tell you that since I have started doing that I have seen much better results.

The solution is a bit creamy. Imagine a thick conditioner that dissolves right into the air leaving it soft with a fresh smell. It doesn’t leave my hair frizzy or dry. Once you blow dry it you won’t be able to even tell that you put on such a thick solution to your hair.

My favorite part is reading about all the exotic oils that are mixed into this amazing concoction. It has Amazonian oils such as;

Açaí palm: which is a potent antioxidant that helps moisturize the hair, repair split ends and add shine to your locks.
Sacha inchi: packed with omegas, vitamin A & E

Overall it’s a great solution for split ends leaving your hair with less breakage. After using it for six weeks I can tell you that my hair is looking healthier and I see much less split ends in my brush.

I will be doing a video on this and other Grow Gorgeous products soon. Stay tuned…

XOXO

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Beauty Lifestyle

New to Guerlain

Posted on April 5, 2017

I thought I was new to Guerlain until I found out that they are the creator OF Champs-Elysees Guerlain Perfume. I was given the perfume as a gift a long time ago, but I never used it because I found it to be a little too mature for my age. And now I am faced with all the beauty that it has to offer. So I guess you can say that I am new to using their beauty products. Here are some of my favorites by Guerlain, I can’t wait to tell you about all of the ones I tried…

(Some of my favorite products from Guerlain)

Guerlain Blanc de Perle Advanced White P.E.A.R.L. Drop Whitening Essence

This Advanced P.E.R.L. drop essence claims that it will effectively reduce the number, intensity, and size of dark spots and deactivate the process leading to future spots. At least that’s what I was told by the Guerlain representative. For the last six weeks I have been using the P.E.R.L. drop after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizer. I use a couple of drops in the evening to my face and neck, the key is not to rub it in and just to tap into your skin and I noticed that after each use my skin became smoother, more translucent and more radiant. Safe to say that it was money well spent. This magical potion made my skin look more luminous and fresh looking. I love that it feels so lightweight and absorbs quickly, making it easier. One thing to point out is that it didn’t help with reducing my sunspots. If you have read my other blogs you know that I am all about removing sunspots and I would try just about everything. As much as I love this P.E.R.L. drop I would not recommend it to help remove or lighten sunspots.

I will give this beauty a four star out of five

Will I repurchase? YES!

Guerlain Meteorites Pearls Light – Diffusing Perfecting Primer

This beautiful primer should be the essential first step you take before you put any make up on. I have used many primers before, and I have a lot of favorites…. and this one is about to get added to the rest. This velvety liquid smells great and prepares the skin for make up with no crease line! When I heard that, I was all over it, and the packaging is just perfection. Yes I couldn’t control myself, I had to say something about the packaging. If you are ready to invest in a luxury brand primer I would start here.

I give it a five star

Would I repurchase? YES!

GUERLAIN Terracotta Joli Teint & Foundation

The Teint should not be confused with a foundation. It’s a bronzer. I read a couple of reviews before using mine and there was a lot of confusion as to why it doesn’t have much coverage? It is being sold as a foundation but I would only use it as a foundation if I am going for the total natural look, sheer and breathable coverage. But if you are looking to get that sun kissed look with enough coverage you should mix it with the foundation. Mixed together and it’s a perfection.

I will give this beauty a four star out of five

Will I repurchase? YES! As a Bronzer or a Teint

I am personally not a fan of this color, and if it wasn’t a gift I would not have purchased it. But I thought I give it a review anyway…. If you are into purple or metallic look, this is a good one to choose, it goes on easily and I think it has a quick dry formula because it dried up pretty fast when I put it on.

Hope you enjoyed the reviews. Please feel free to comment.

XOXO

Beauty Lifestyle

Pregnancy and Stretchmarks

Posted on October 21, 2016

I have a lot of friends who have suffered from pregnancy stretchmarks. I myself have some of those marks due to growing up too fast…or at least that’s what they tell me. I started using Johnson and Johnson Baby Oil in high school. I wish I had started using it much sooner because I feel like ever since I started using the baby oil, my skin feels very soft and smooth and has helped the dry skin and lack of elasticity problem which can cause stretchmarks.

(All you youngsters, I highly recommend that you use baby oil on your body up and down in the morning and before bed time to prevent these unattractive looking stretchmarks.)

After listening to my girlfriends and their complains about stretchmarks during pregnancy I started to do some research and read about what causes these unattractive marks on the skin and how I can prevent them.

Bottom line, it all comes down to making it a habit to hydrate your body inside and out and being consistent about using the oils and the lotions while pregnant and growing. During my research I did find out that some creams are more effective than others due to the ingredients. Here are my top five choices.

Palmers Cocoa Butter Massage Lotion

One of the most well known and highly purchased creams is known to be the Palmers Cocoa Butter Massage Lotion. I personally tried this cream and loved it but that coco smells gets old after a while. If you don’t mind the constant chocolate smell go for it, because this coco butter is known to be effective and very hydrating.

Mustela Stretch Marks Survival Belly And Bust Duo

This duo is pretty amazing. I would highly recommend that you purchase the Duo (body and bust cream). It smells lovely and it’s full of hydrating ingredients. This cream reinforces skin’s elasticity and suppleness and supports natural cell renewal to prevent stretch marks while also moisturizing to soothe the sensitivity of the skin.

Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy

I have tried this on burns and cut scars but it is mainly used to help prevent and improve the look of stretchmarks. Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy is infused with botanical ingredients and a skin hydrator that improves the look of stretch marks.

Bio-Oil Multiuse Skincare Oil

This oil is one of my favorites (Yes I have many faves). It smells very clean and fresh and it melts into the skin which helps when it doesn’t rub off on your clothes leaving oily marks. It is a very rich moisturizer leaving the skin nourished. Bio-Oil Specialist Skincare for Scars, Stretch Marks, Uneven Skin Tone, Aging Skin, Dehydrated Skin can also be used as an after-sun treatment and bath oil. Formulated with PureCellin oil to make product easy for skin to absorb. What else can you ask for?

Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil

And finally one of the best body oils I have discovered which is by Clarins Paris. A luxurious body treatment that contains 100% pure plant extracts, which promote skin firmness and suppleness. This is a very thick hydrating oil that I typically mix with lotion to thin the formula which makes it easier to apply to your body. It smells divine. Imagine walking into a spa scent… oh yes it’s that good. This body treatment improves skin elasticity to prevent the appearance of stretch marks and to maintain skin firmness. It absorbs quickly to nourish deeply and tone skin.

Beauty Lifestyle

The Makeup Date

Posted on September 14, 2016

Another event, and another fun day with friends and makeup.

After having attended the last two Hello Gorgeous events, my friend and I decided to try “The Makeup Date” event which is very similar to Hello Gorgeous event at Bloomingdale’s South Coast Plaza on July 30th. As always it was an eventful day with introductions to many new products from each line of makeup and facial brands. Prior to the show we were presented with a $25 gift card to Bloomingdale’s (to replace the $25 you initially paid to RSVP for the event) as well as a gift bag full of goodies and new products to try. Bloomingdale’s also provides each attendee a light snack and beverages, but don’t get too excited…there’s no alcohol!

We had the opportunity to meet our lovely and beautiful host from the “Hollywood Today” show Ms. Kristen Brockman. Kristen was packed with smiles and charm and made it even more fun to participate in The Makeup Date games and questionnaires.

As usual the representatives for each brand came up on the stage and introduced their new products for the season and went over the benefits and answered questions from the audience. After 15 minutes of talk time we had a raffle for yet another full size gift bag. Sad to say we didn’t win anything (sad face) but happy for those who won and now get to try the new goodies.

(Kristen is rocking a Ted Baker dress)

The show lasts about two hours, and after that you can go on your merry way and shop away. Which is exactly what my friend Anura and I did. Overall It was a fun day. It’s a great day to spend time with your girlfriends and try on new makeup, get samples of what you like and also lots of gifts with purchase. As for the gift bag, it was great to see lots of samples and try new products from our favorite lines and here are some of my favorites from the goodie bag.

If you decide to attend the next show I highly recommend that you contact Jenny from La Prairie counter at Bloomingdale’s South Coast Plaza (714) 824-4600.

She is a sweetheart, she will follow up with you before the event and makes sure to go over all your questions.

Thank you for stopping by

XOXO

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Lifestyle Travels

Under the Chianti Sun

Posted on August 13, 2016

This was our first trip to Italy. We decided to start with beautiful Tuscany and see where the adventure takes us. We hired a tour guide to show us around Florence and other near by cities, and oh boy did he. One of my favorite spots was Chianti. I knew I love the wine therefore I was going to love the region.

(The coolest tour guide ever)

The road to Chianti is breathtaking. We stopped by different villages and castles on the way and had some wine tastings here and there. But when we got to Poggio Amorelli winery, it was just something else. The winery itself was just dreamy. Perfect blue sky, sun rays going through the white clouds catching the filed of grapes, with a perfect breeze in the air, it was like a painting.

(Poggio Amorelli Winery)

We were greeted by the gracious host and owner of the winery, he gave us a tour and a little bit of history of the winery. The whole family lives there and takes care of the grape garden. They also have a restaurant that is open to the public and his wife is one of the chefs who’s culinary skills are fresh and just out of this world.

(Our host for the evening)

We started our evening with house wine, some cold cuts, olives, and home made bruschetta. Followed by freshly made pasta and the grand finale Vanilla Ice cream with aged vinegar.

(Linguini pasta with fresh truffles and Parmesan)

(Penne Pasta with fresh picked tomato, basil and Parmesan)

I have never tried vinegar over vanilla ice cream before and I was a bit hesitant, but I went for it and let me tell you it was delicious.

(Vanilla ice cream with Vinegar)

They did tell me not to try this at home, unless you have at least a 20 year old aged balsamic vinegar so I am just telling you the same, please do not try this with just any vinegar. The vinegar was at least 20 years old, the texture was just like melted chocolate or a very thick syrup and the taste was just something else, it opened up taste buds that I had no idea existed. A combination of sweet and sour which went perfectly with Vanilla ice cream. Whomever thought of this concept is a food genius.

(My favorite wine and that aged balsamic vinegar)

We finished our evening with more wine and called it a night. I highly recommend this winery if you are ever in or around Chianti, Italy. You will have the best time of your life.

(Soaking in the Tuscan Sun)

XOXO

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Beauty Lifestyle

Drugstore Dry Shampoo

Posted on August 12, 2016

Washing long hair everyday is not an easy task. Those of us who have had long hair most of our lives can totally relate. I used to wash, blow dry and style my hair everyday until I start noticing the lack of density and fullness in my hair. It was not as full anymore, and when I braided my hair it was not that chunky healthy braid I was used to all my life, so I started hitting google and researching the products I was using. I found a lot of great information, as far as what causes hair loss in general. The most talked about subject was of course STRESS… Yep that’s the big one. I also looked into some remedies and what I can do aside from not being stressed (ya right) to help my hair loss. I also asked around from those with beautiful long locks and of course my doctor. They all seem to agree on one thing; Do not wash your hair everyday! What? How can I not? Especially when I workout everyday. Well, bottom line was that I needed to give it a try so I did. But what do you do between your wash? Use dry shampoo. I have been using Oribe Dry Shampoo from the start of this process, and I have written a blog which you can read all about right here; Oribe Products.

While on vacation, I ran out of my Oribe Dry Shampoo (Oh No!) and of course the only store near by was a drug store. In the hopes of finding something that actually works and not leave white powder in my hair I purchased two of the Betiste Dry Shampoo for a very reasonable price. I purchased one form brown hair, and for curiosity reasons I also purchased the original. Since I have dark brown hair I did not like the original, only because it left white residue in my hair but it did go away after a while. However the one for brown hair worked perfectly. It completely covered the shiny spots on the scalp and it gave it a much needed volume. I have to admit, the scent is not as great as Oribe but it does the work.

How to use it: I do not follow the instructions stated on the bottle unless my hair is very greasy. I prefer spraying it on a wet brush with the boar bristles. I spray a good amount of Batiste onto the brush and then comb it into the parts of my hair, and if I am really in need of volume, I spray a little at the crown of my head after parting the hair. Since I have discovered dry shampoo, I only wash my hair every 2-3 days depending on if I have an event coming up or not and use the dry shampoo in between. This dry shampoo lasts a long time so you do not need to worry about it wearing off.

Hope you enjoyed this read and please let me know if you have any questions.

XOXO

Beauty Lifestyle

Three best natural deodorants

Posted on July 31, 2016

I am slowly finding myself on the ALL NATURAL expressway line, and by that I mean I am slowly trying to find and use natural products. I have come across some all natural products that I felt no love for, but on the other hand I have found some that are worth sharing and to blog about. Today I want to share my new found addition to All Natural Deodorants. I have been in search of a deodorant that smells fresh, keeps me fresh and leaves no gooey residue behind, and of course is all natural. I did come across some of them at my YogaWorks that were priced between $20 to $30.00! I don’t know about you but I personally think that’s a bit much for a deodorant. Are you with me?

After much looking around I came across two brands that were reasonably priced and got the job done.

Two of them are from JASON Natural Cosmetics line. The Tea Tree and the Lavender. These two deodorant’s leave me feeling fresh and clean all day in between my Yoga practice and running errands. They don’t leave any stains or dampness. I alternate between the two so I won’t get tired of one smell. I am neurotic like that!

The third one is from Nature Love natural deodorant, that is Aluminum and Paraben-free. This is one of my favorites. It’s a very effective odor control for an all natural deodorant.

Beauty Lifestyle

Essential Oils

Posted on July 28, 2016

I am not sure if it’s due to the dry heat or the summer wind that has left my skin dry and thirsty for hydration or just because I love the way these bottles look. Either way I was head over heels the moment I saw these pretty oils. They look so luxurious and welcoming I had to have them.

My new found fascination for oils is starting to get a bit pricey but thank goodness to HomeGoods (My Disneyland) I can find random and pricey items for much less at the most unexpected shopping trips. On this trip I came across these lovely oils and what caught my eyes was the real flowers in the bottle infused with Vitamin E (my cure for any cut or rash). I had the urge to just open it right there and smell and try it right away.

I purchased three of them. Rose Hip Hydrating Body Oil, Lavender Body Oil and Vitamin E Face and Body Oil. The one infused with pink rose buds smells just like a rose and it hydrates my skin just perfectly without leaving it greasy. As for the classic lavender with real dried lavender infused in the oil, imparts a feeling of peacefulness and purity. I put this on my body before bedtime and after shower. It’s a perfect scent for relaxation.

I also decided to purchase the Vitamin E Face and Body Oil, because as I said I am addicted to Vitamin E and to be frank it has worked wonders for me helping alleviate any scars. Trust me, you want to try it. I use this on my face and neck right after shower before applying my other facial products. This one doesn’t have any scent and it absorbs into your skin very quickly without leaving it shiny or greasy.

Quick Tip: During dry summer days or cold winter days I mix in the Vitamin E oil with my foundation before applying it to my face to add a little more hydration and smooth coverage.

I did a little digging into the company, and I can see that their website Measurable Difference is under construction. But you can find the product on Chrislie website for $29.00. On the other hand I purchased these for $6.99 each at HomeGoods. I highly suggest that you visit your local HomeGoods or TJ-Maxx Department store and head to the Bath and Lotion section to find them for a much lower price.

Hope you enjoyed this read. Until next time

XOXO

Older Posts

Kneipp and Baby bath

Man O To

Grow Gorgeous End Split Ends

New to Guerlain

Pregnancy and Stretchmarks

Kneipp and Baby bath

Man O To

Grow Gorgeous End Split Ends

New to Guerlain

Guerlain Blanc de Perle Advanced White P.E.A.R.L. Drop Whitening Essence

Guerlain Meteorites Pearls Light – Diffusing Perfecting Primer

Pregnancy and Stretchmarks

The Makeup Date

Under the Chianti Sun

Drugstore Dry Shampoo

Three best natural deodorants

Essential Oils

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Guerlain Blanc de Perle Advanced White P.E.A.R.L. Drop Whitening Essence

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