DIY Facial Cleanser

I have very sensitive skin and cannot use most of the facial cleansers you can buy in the stores. I have tried just about everything except the really expensive stuff, because I don't feel like spending that much money on a regular basis. So far, I have found that CeraVe is the best for me, but even that is a little harsh on my skin. Now, that I have found a way to make my own facial cleanser, I don't have to suffer harsh side effects.

It all started when I found a recipe on Pinterest for facial cleanser. Deciding that I had nothing to lose, I gave it a shot. I did not like the recipe I found, but I knew I was onto something. The original recipe called for a solution of mainly water with some baby shampoo and a tiny bit of mineral oil. I used olive oil instead of mineral oil just because I did not have any mineral oil. I did not like the mainly water solution, so I set out to find a way to remedy that.

Once I perfected my recipe, it was like magic. The skin on my face has never felt so amazing. It is smooth, soft, and even healing itself from a few skin conditions that I have. I do use a moisturizer after I use the cleanser, but that is because my skin gets really dry really fast. The moisturizer I use also has ceramides in it which helps to repair the skin's protective layer.

Now for the recipe I use:

You will need:
Baby shampoo (Johnson&Johnson will work, but so will a generic)
Olive oil (I use extra virgin olive oil)
Water (I just use regular tap water, but you could also use purified or distilled)

Instructions:
Get a little 3 fluid ounce bottle from the travel section. Start with the baby shampoo, and fill the bottle about halfway. Then fill it to about three-fourths of the way with olive oil. Finally, fill it the rest of the way with water. Mix these thoroughly (I use a drink mixing stick) and store in the bottle until ready to use. Remember to shake it before use just to make sure it is mixed because it will settle over time.

That's it. Cheap and easy to make and nothing harsh on your face.

Saving Money on College Textbooks

As any college student can tell you, college is expensive, so it is important to save money anywhere you can. While you can't control the cost of tuition, fees, room, or board, you can somewhat control the cost of your textbooks.

The number one way to save money on your textbooks is to avoid your campus bookstore. The price of college textbooks is marked up to begin with, so why would you want to go to the most expensive place to buy them? You have many options as to where you get your books, so shop around.

Most college bookstores will post book lists on their websites which will tell you what books you need for each of your classes. Once you have this information, it is time to comparison shop. One option is to buy books from students who have already taken the class - you can do this by asking your friends on Facebook or around campus. If your campus has a place on a website that is like a classified section of a newspaper, you could also post there.

You can also buy your books from a number of online websites. Chegg.com is a good place to start, but keep in mind that they might not have the best price. I find that usually half.com has the best prices, but you do have to factor any shipping costs into your overall price. Usually, the shipping on half.com is $3.99 per item, but it can be more than that if you choose expedited shipping. Amazon can also have some good deals on college textbooks. The important thing to remember is to always shop around.

Comparison shopping for college textbooks can save you a lot of money. I once had a book that my campus bookstore wanted over $500 for, and I found it on half.com for $24. This semester I have saved over $500.

My Favorite Way to Make Some Extra Money

The internet is full of survey sites that offer various incentives to get you to take their surveys. I have a favorite one: PineCone Research. I usually get about 1 survey a month and then I automatically get $3 just for taking about 20 minutes to answer some questions on a survey. It's not a lot of money per survey, but it adds up quickly. In my opinion, PineCone Research is the easiest way to get a little extra money. You can even choose to have the money deposited into your Paypal account or have a check sent to you.

Disclaimer: I did not receive any compensation for this post.

Review of the College VoxBox 2012

I was lucky enough to receive the College VoxBox 2012 from Influenster. Once I received the package in the mail, I was really excited to open it. Upon opening it, I found imPRESS Press-On Manicure, Tropical Necco Wafers, NYC New York Color Show Time Glitter Eyeliner Pencil, Energy Sheets, and a Pentel EnerGel-X pen. I was most excited about the pen, so I tried that immediately. I discovered that it writes in purple - my favorite color! I was so excited about that!

Now for the breakdowns:

imPRESS Press-On Manicure: I love the packaging of this manicure set. It looks like a set of fake nails in a nail polish bottle. the imPRESS Press-On Manicure is a cross between fake nails and nail polish. You apply it just like fake nails, but it is actually nail polish, not a set of fake nails. I'm very excited to have the chance to try this.

Tropical Necco Wafers: Coconut, passion fruit, strawberry, lime, banana, and mango versions of traditional Necco Wafers.

NYC New York Color Show Time Glitter Eyeliner Pencil: An eyeliner pencil that creates a metallic, sparkling effect. I'm excited to get to try this. Perfect for Christmas.

Energy Sheets: Mint flavored sheets that dissolve on your tongue and give you an instant burst of energy. These sheets have B vitamins, zero calories, zero sugar, 50 mg of caffeine, and offer no sugar crash. These are great to have in your purse or backpack for a quick, instant energy and fresh breath at the same time.

Pentel EnerGel-X: A new version of the Pentel EnerGel pens that came out a few years ago which I loved then. Now, the EnerGel-X is retractable which is a bonus because there is no cap to lose, and it is quickly accessible and you only need one hand to be ready to write with it. This pen writes so smoothly, you hardly know you are writing with a ballpoint pen. That's the benefit of the gel ink. It also dries very quickly which is very good because I am left-handed and usually end up with ink smears on my hand. I have no ink smears with the Pentel EnerGel-X. I love this pen and couldn't have asked for a better one!

Disclaimer: I did receive these products complimentary of Influenster and the VoxBox program.