Tips & Tricks Tuesday | Hot Spots

While thumbing through a magazine yesterday, I came across an article about the best places to wear fragrance. I already knew about the common areas like the wrist and the nape of the neck, but they named two other places that surprised me. The back of your knees and the crook of your arm are also great fragrance spots. Why?

These four areas generate the most heat on your body. Since fragrance is dispersed when exposed to warmer temperatures, keeping the fragrance concentration to these four main areas allows the scent to be distributed evenly and leave a lasting impression.

If you would like a list of my favorite fall fragrances, let me know on Twitter @JordanCathleen_.

Staples You Should Keep at Your Boyfriend's House

Whenever you decide to crash at your boyfriend's (or girlfriend's!) place, there are certain things that are absolutely essential to have with you. Trust me, I know all too well at this point through trial and error. Why make mistakes when you can just learn from mine?

Fashion
You want to bring over items that can be thrown on quickly. Chances are your boo doesn't possess your awesome organizational skills so at the risk of being late for class looking around for things, make sure you have pieces you can pull on and go. Also, try to avoid items that require an iron. On the off chance that he actually possesses one, it's always easier to not have to rely on it. Great pieces include:

• Leggings
• Sweatshirts
• Slip-on flats
• Cardigan (or other wrinkle-free outerwear of choice)
• Comfy jeans

Beauty

To me, this category is much more important than the clothes you bring over. I mean if comes to it you can always throw on a pair of jeans and one of his T-shirts, but you definitely can't use his deodorant! So, anything that is gender specific in terms of fragrance, make sure you account for that. Also, if you have a specific skincare or hair regimen, don't break it! As difficult as it can be sometimes to stick with it, your skin and hair will thank you. Your boyfriend's medicine cabinet may not, however. Here are a few things I always remember:

• Face cleanser
• Shower gel
• Body cream
• Deodorant
• Contacts (kind of obvious)
• Hair products (account for anything you use while you sleep)

You may look like a bag lady making your way to his place but hey, at least you'll be a well-prepared bag lady!

My Top Five Essentials

If I could only live with five beauty products for the rest of my life, here's what they would be and why.

1. Benzoyl peroxide. I don't care what form this ingredient is in as long as I have it in my life. Nothing I have ever tried keeps my skin as clear as benzoyl peroxide. I will take it with me to the grave.

2. Lip balm. If you asked me this question maybe a year and a half ago, my answer definitely would have been lip gloss. I never used to use lip balm. Not sure why exactly. Now, I can't even go to sleep without applying lip balm. Dry lips just make me feel like my whole face is sad.

3. Face wipes. Even if I don't take the time to do my full routine, I always make sure to at least clean my face with a wipe. It's refreshing and it gives my skin a chance to breathe a little more.

4. Fragranced body cream. I was very specific with this item for a reason. I prefer a body cream or butter because my dry skin requires plenty of moisture. Also, I like to use a fragranced cream because it stays on much longer than a fragrance mist or perfume and I don't have to worry about reapplying it throughout the day.

5. Hair removal cream. I've simply preferred this method of hair removal for a while now and there is just no way I could live life without shaving...ever...anywhere...that's nasty.

So that's basically everything I need in this life of sin, just me and my cosmetics.

*Note: List is in no particular order.

Tips & Tricks Tuesdays: Fragrance

Before you yell at me, I am very sorry that this tip is being uploaded on a day that doesn't fit the alliteration. I thought I uploaded it last night. Oops! Bloggers are only human after all, and I dread the day that this too becomes a job for a machine. But, since it's not just yet I'll get right to it.

This may seem like a silly tip but trust me, it's well worth it. It has to do with where you use your fragrance. The typical place is on your wrists and the front of your neck or chest. This method is outdated and ineffective, that is if your desired effect is to attract the opposite sex. Think about it. If it's on your wrists, it will just get washed away when you wash your hands. The front of your neck or your chest is a bit better, but who on Earth is going to shove their face there to smell it? Hopefully that's not the kind of attention you want to attract.

Instead, I learned to use your fragrance primarily on the back of your neck or behind your ears. Why? Well first, the fragrance has less of a chance of wearing away because it gets trapped in your hair. That ensures that you smells wonderful all day long without the risk of having to reapply and going overboard. Also, when people lean in for a hug, it will be the first thing they notice. I'm sure you know, while it may not be on someone's actual checklist, that smelling good is a definite turn on. 

So instead of using too much perfume on places that have no lasting power, go ahead and try this method. Trust me, before you know it you'll have a trail of followers behind you...and I don't mean on twitter.