REVIEWS ON TEETH WHITENING BRANDS

Plus White

You can purchase Plus White at any drugstore or supermarket, and they're affordable at only $5 for a bottle, or $10 for a box. It's best to only buy the bottle since the box comes with an unnecessary pre-rinse formula and a mouthpiece. The product works pretty well for most people and is one of the best because it only takes five minutes each day.

Crest White Strips

Crest White Strips is perhaps one of the best products to buy to whiten your teeth at home. Although the strips move around too much in some people's mouths, they're extremely effective and you'll notice a difference within within a couple of weeks. The price isn't always fun, one box costs roughly $33, but it's worth it when the new shade of your teeth will last about six months. Although I've tried many products, I always end up going back to Crest White Strips.

Rembrant Whitening Strips

Rembrant is another whitening product known to work effectively. The taste is a bit disgusting, but if you can get past that you'll definitely notice a difference. Rembrant is different because the strips stay on your teeth better than Crest White Strips, and you get quicker results than Crest. However, it's harder to get the gunk off when removing the strips; you have to brush your teeth instead of just rinse your mouth out, like Crest. A box runs around $20, which isn't too bad.

Aquafresh White Trays

Aquafresh White Trays are not as effective, even if it is affordable at $20 a box. The mouthpiece isn't molded to each person's teeth, so the product can't sit as well in the mouth. The product is known to be harsh on the gums and teeth, even if it does work in a few days. Another drawback is that it doesn't cover as many teeth as Plus White.

BriteSmile To Go Whitening Pen

Perhaps one of the cheaper ways to go, BriteSmile is only $10 for one pen. Although the price will make you happy, the product won't. It's known to only work only a little, and not to the effect that you'll want. The pens are easy to use, but again, you might not see much of a difference after using it for two weeks.

Listerine Whitening Quick Dissolving Strips

This product is a little more creative than the rest because the strips dissolve in your mouth after ten minutes--well, sometimes. They're known to leave residue and pieces of the strip still in your mouth, but they are still a bit effective. They won't make your teeth look brand new, but will brighten the shade. It's more gentle on your teeth than other products, and the taste isn't so bad. One box is about $35, which is more expensive than most of the products out there, but worth it if you have sensitive, yellow teeth.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

STAY PRIMPED FOR HA / LF THE COST

 

Skip the Nail Salon

Surprisingly, there are better brands nowadays for fake nails, and you don't have to just get them from your local salon. You can get the best nails from any drugstore, or Wal-mart and Target. Believe it or not, there are even fake nails for toenails now, and they look real and professional!

Do Your Own Dye

The average customer at a hair salon spends on average $100 just to make their hair look fresher for a few months. Although highlights are harder to do at home, skip the salon and opt for one-color dyes. They look more natural and rich and the upkeep is not as intense. Purchase dyes that are semi-permanent--they're healthier than going to a salon and look just as good as permanent dyes. 

Skip Name Brands

When buying any type of beauty product, you'd easily find that store brands are just as effective. The same ingredients are used, so there's no reason to shell out extra cash just for a fancy label. Even if you buy only MAC makeup products, typical brands like Revlon have just as good of products that look the same on your skin. 

Whiten Your Own Teeth

Although going to the dentist to whiten your teeth is a good idea, it's also a costly one. Just one treatment can be hundreds of dollars, and to maintain this is a huge punch to your paycheck. It's easy to whiten at home with products like Crest White Strips and Plus White. They both work just as well as going to a dentist, without looking so fake.

Skip the Tanning Salon

Looking orange is so last season. Go for something safer and cheaper by applying tanning lotion. Either get a good bronzer or purchase SUN Labs self-tanner, a product used in celebrity tanning salons. It's effective and looks like you spent all day outside. It's only $39, which is cheaper than a month at the salon. 

Use Home Waxing Kits

Stop spending so much to get your eyebrows shaped and your bikini line waxed. There are plenty of safe kits to buy that can help you keep up the shape your local salon used to do for you. Go to Sally's for better waxing kits instead of opting for a cheap brand from your drug store. 

Work Out From Home

Although it may be hard giving up your gym membership, your bank account will thank you for it. You'll save at least $400 a year and can save the drive to and from the gym. Easily do cardio by jogging in your neighborhood for thirty minutes and build muscle doing exercises you can find online. It may take a little discipline, but it'll be more enjoyable than doing your same old routine at the gym. 

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

#1 products you must try

Mac's Snob Lipstick

Snob is girly and innocent. It looks great with some gold bangles and a leather jacket since it adds extra detail to any outfit you wear for a night out on the town. Put a clear gloss over it to make it stand out even more and to make you look younger.

NARS' Orgasm Blush

This blush looks great on any skin color and is the number one selling color for any of the NARS blush shades. It can be layered with other shades and even has a sequel, Super Orgasm, which has sparkles in it. 

Urban Decay's Primer Potion

I've snowboarded with this primer on, and I promise my eye shadow still stayed on, even when my eye shadow got soaked. This primer helps your eyelids look like you just put the eyeshadow on, from morning to night. Make sure you let it dry before applying anything on top, otherwise it won't work!

St. Tropez's Bronzer 

This bronzer has been mentioned in earlier posts, but is worth repeating. It's the best bronzer out there that will skip the whole leaving you looking like an Oompa Loompa. It smells fresh and doesn't streak--or make your face have a different color than the rest of your body. Unfortunately, it's now only available on their website. 

Ardell Faux Lashes

You know that friend of yours who doesn't hid the fact that they fake lashes every day? Well, if they wore Ardells, you wouldn't be able to tell. Ardells really enhance the density of your lashes and are the best quality out there. They don't look too thick and are best for everyday wear. Go for the Demi Wispies.

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara

I can't even count the number of years that mothers, daughters, and grandmothers have been using this mascara--everyone keeps going back to this brand. I have tiny eyelashes, and I often get compliments on the length and thickness--I feel like I'm fooling everyone. The waterproof version isn't so great, so stick to the standard, original one.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

Be Fair to Your Hair

Suburbia Salon & Spa

11908 Ventura Blvd.

Studio City, CA

818.505.1188

For hair snobs and celebs, Suburbia is a high-end salon that's green-certified and stocked with 18 stylists. They promise star treatment for the Plain Jane or the Angelina look-a-like. You get what you pay for though, with prices definitely on the expensive side.

Chop Chop Salon

830 N La Brea Ave.

Los Angeles, CA

323.464.8100

Chop Chop Salon isn't just a place to cut hair, but is also an art gallery. They specialize in edgy colors and cuts, with their friendly and personable staff. If you're still waiting to get your next paycheck, Chop Chop isn't the best place, as a typical haircut costs $85.

Salon Pure

117 E. 6th St.

Los Angeles, CA

213.624.7873

Salon Pure is more for the LA rocker than the girl next door. With a rustic interior and fair prices, they are affordable for being in the heart of LA, but don't have as extensive of a menu as other neighboring salons.

Awilda Salon

230 S Robertson Blvd.

Beverly Hills, CA 90211

310.657.8133

At Awilda, the stylists know what they're doing and try to make the salon all about relaxing and making you feel comfortable. They also specialize in using products that are healthier for your hair than what a typical salon would use.

Chill Salon & Gallery

5275 E 2nd St.

Long Beach, CA

562.433.4888

This salon is the perfect place for girls with curls as they specialize in styling something different than straight hair. They also are great with extensions and only use Joico color. This is a second salon that is also a photography gallery so you have something else to look at than the wall.

Splitends Salon

765 Saint Clair

Costa Mesa, CA

949.645.1223

With the most modern decor you'll find in a salon, Splitends is located in the LAB, with prices dependent on the stylist. The also have their own show on the Style Network, so you might end up in one of the episodes if you get the luck of the draw when scheduling an appointment.

Empire Salon

2967 Michaelson Dr.

Irvine, CA

949.261.5856

Empire is trendy and edgy, with their stylists always out to make the most creative cut look good. They specialize in hair that looks vintage and even put their stylists through a rigorous training course. They even allow local artists to adorn their art on the walls every two months.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com