Vegan Ice Cream Recipes

Shannon Smyth
Each of these delicious vegan ice cream recipes are the perfect treat for anyone who has a dairy allergy, chooses not to eat dairy, or is vegan or vegetarian.

With some no churn recipes included, you can enjoy these yummy ice creams whether you have an ice cream maker or not.

From salted caramel and camomile ice cream, chunky maple peanut butter ice cream, mint chocolate chip ice cream and so much more, there is something here for whatever your favorite ice cream flavor is!

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Must Have Airplane-Friendly Beauty Products

Gail Lewis
Must-have airplane friendly beauty products via @agirlsgottaspa The holiday travel season is officially upon us so I've decided to share some of my favorite travel friendly beauty products in hopes that it will make this holiday travel season a bit less stressful...and germ free. 1. Farmaesthetics Cool Aloe Mist This spritz is ideal for air travel because it is hydrating, refreshing and purifying. The cool aloe mist soothes dry skin and doubles an anti-bacterial, which is important in such an enclosed environment where air is re-circulated. Just spray it around your personal space prior to boarding for a relaxing scent and to ward off those airplane germs. 2. Yuni Instant Shower Sheet I love having these in my purse just in case of delayed or canceled flights.  I have been stranded at the airport enough times without access to a shower and these wipes are the next best thing to a shower. They cleanse, deodorize and refresh with neem and peppermint. 3. Glossier Coconut Balm Dotcom Leaving home without this salve is not an option.  First off, I adore the smell of coconut as it just puts me in a great mood no matter what. The smell of this mutli-tasking skin salve plus the fact that it is uber hydrating, makes it an absolute must-have travel beauty product for me. 4. Super Booster Teeth Whitening Pen  This pen is fast-acting and easy to use, plus it has a minty flavor so it also freshens that dreaded airplane breath. 5.  Pixi Glow Tonic This is another product with a super addictive scent. It's fresh, clean and pretty.  It also has 5% glycolic acid, aole vera and ginseng and gently exfoliates skin for a bright, glowing complexion. I love using it right before I land. These products definitely help to make my time on an airplane a lot less stressful and hopefully they will make your holiday travel season a bit more merry. What are some of your favorite travel friendly beauty products? Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! *Disclosure: Some affiliate links

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Cuepido Cosmetics

Gail Lewis
Cuepido Cosmetics review via @agirlsgottaspa When it comes to makeup, I prefer a look that is natural, simple and that enhances instead of covering or transforming, which is exactly why Cuepido Cosmetics peaked my interest. Cuepido Cosmetics champions the idea of an absolute clean appearance by just putting on what you think is necessary and not overdoing it and instead keeping things natural, simply lovely yet classy. Cuepido Cosmetics mascara, blush and lip gloss review via @agirlsgottaspa Cuepido was launched on Valentine’s Day 2013 with the mission to provide healthy makeup that is safe for every woman’s skin. Each product is infused with ingredients such as flowers and plant extracts, vitamins, essential oils, minerals and other naturally derived ingredients.  All products are formulated without parabens, fragrances, phthalates, triclosan, sulfates, BPA and gluten. Cuepido Cosmetics ooh blush review via @agirlsgottaspa I decided to try the oomph-lash Waterproof Mascara, cue-smooch Gloss in Ariel and ohh blush in Camellia. Unfortunately, the blush and gloss did not work with my dark skin tone, but because I loved the texture of both, I decided to bring in an expert and have a makeup artist try them out and see how the colors worked on her. Cuepido Cosmetics mascara review via @agirlsgottaspa The consistency and texture of both the blush and lip gloss were amazing.  They both felt lightweight and moisturizing and I could barely tell that I was even wearing anything at all.  As far as how the makeup looks, I will let you decide based on the pictures in this review of LA based makeup artist Lauren Snyder, who also loved the product! Cuepido Cosmetics review via @agirlsgottaspa Doesn't it look so effortless and natural? Cuepido Cosmetics is available on their website and via Amazon.com. Have you given them a try yet? Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! *Disclosure: press samples, affiliate links

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DIY Coffee Grounds, Baking Soda, Lemon Body Scrub

Shannon Smyth

This past Saturday night all I wanted to do was stay in and have an at-home spa night. Spa as in facial, hair masks, mani and pedi as well as total body exfoliation.

Luckily, I had most of the ingredients for my perfect at home spa night with the exception of a body scrub. Since there was no way I was leaving the house in the midst of my at-home spa experience to go out and buy a scrub, I decided I would try to whip something up with whatever I had in my kitchen....which was not a lot since I was overdue for a grocery run.

himalayan salt scrub

What I did have was coffee grounds, baking soda and lemons.  I have used baking soda and lemons before as a face scrub/mask and teeth whitener and have also used coffee grounds with other ingredients as a body scrub, but I have never used all three together.

Not only did they work well to gently exfoliate my skin, but my skin also felt extremely clean, thanks to the cleansing power of baking soda. My skin was also glowing due to the brightening power of lemon and baking soda together.

The exfoliation benefits of all three natural ingredients made the dry skin melt away revealing softer skin. (Don't forget to apply body lotion right after for maximum hydration.)

This scrub is so incredibly easy to create, just combine coffee grounds, baking soda and lemon juice together and mix until it forms a paste then apply to skin and gently massage. 

After exfoliating, I left the scrub on my skin for about ten minutes to let the ingredients do the work on their own, then rinsed. 

Be warned that this scrub is really messy in the shower, but rinses away very easily and is completely worth the mess.

No time to DIY it? Try A Girl's Gotta Spa! Energizing Citrus Body Scrub. It is a mix of uplifting grapefruit, orange, lemon and lime essential oils and Dead Sea Salt.

DIY coffee, baking soda and lemon scrub #diy

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7 Summer Makeup Tips

Shannon Smyth
Guest beauty post from Prime Beauty Blog Summer is in full swing and whether you're having a picnic in the park, watching a baseball game or splashing with the kids in the pool, you want your makeup to stay put and not end up dripping down your face. Lighten up your makeup routine for the summer months with these waterproof products: 1. Ditch your regular foundation and opt for a tinted moisturizer. A tinted moisturizer serves a dual purpose providing much needed moisture and sheer color. It looks and feels lighter on your skin and eliminates the need for a separate moisturizer saving time for summer fun! Make sure to choose a tinted moisturizer with at least a SPF of 15. My picks: Urban Decay Urban Defense, SPF 20($30) and FusionBeauty Prime Results ($40). If you're looking for for more coverage, Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer can't be beat! 2. Try waterproof eyeliner. There is nothing that can make your eyes pop and come alive like colored eyeliner. Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners ($23) come in 15 colors so you're sure to find a shade right for you. Aqua Liners are available in three finishes; Matte, Diamond and Iridescent. Go from a classic matte black cat eye look to a bright purple sparkling eye. These are completely waterproof and last through heat, humidity and a dip in the pool. They do NOT come off until you take them off. The stiff pointed tip applicator makes eye lining easy-peasy! 3. Use a waterproof mascara so you don't end up looking like Snookie. I like L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Waterproof Mascara for long length. Although I haven't personally tried the new Urban Decay Cannonball ($20), it's getting fantastic reviews--no more raccoon eyes. 4. Benefit Cheek Stains ($29) come in three smudge-proof, budge proof shades. I'm partial to the new Coral-ish Cha Cha Tint, (no surprise there), Posie Tint is a sweet pink and the original Benetint imparts a pretty natural red flush. The texture is a lightweight watery gel that gives yo time to blend. The packaging: a small jar with a brush applicator is the same for all three. Those who know me well know that I am a coral freak, however I really like the original Benetint for summer. It gives the cheeks such a nice natural glow--like you've playing beach volleyball/golf/tennis (insert your favorite sport here) in the sun. Pat several small dots along the cheekbone and blend with your fingers. These are supposed to be suitable for the lips too, but I find Benetint too thin for that. 5. A Waterproof Bronzer? You betcha! Although I don't particularly advocate a full face of makeup for the beach or pool, but if you're super pale like me or are watching your sun exposure, you may want to use a bronzer. Get the Bronzed Goddess look without the sun damage with Tarte Park Ave. Princess Matte Waterproof Bronzer ($29). This bronzer lives up to its claim, it truly is waterproof--I know I tested it in the shower! This is my favorite bronzer for fair skinned beauties like me so I was thrilled when they came out with a waterproof version last summer. For darker toned skin, Hourglass also makes a waterproof bronzer. 6. Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow ($22.80). They last all day, absolutely do NOT crease and come in five gorgeous shades. My favorites are Beach Bronze, Moss, Seashell Pink, Slate and Shimmering Plum--oops that's all of them! Again, while you probably wouldn't apply a full face of makeup to go to the beach, but how about when you're baking in the sun at a neighborhood BBQ? Or cocktails at a sidewalk bar?  You may be melting in the heat, but your makeup will look fresh! 7. Stila Crush Lip and Cheek Stain ($24) these stains are fantastic! The texture is very thin, almost watery and they last and last. They come in 8 shades from the bronzy Coconut Crush to the bright Raspberry Crush. I love Mango or Raspberry, bright, summery shades that look great with a tan! My Summer Beauty 5 minute face--A good tinted moisturizer with SPF, Tarte Park Ave. Princess Waterproof Bronzer on the high planes of the face, (where the sun would normally hit), a touch of Benetint blush, Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow in a neutral shades, Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner in a bright shade, Urban Decay Cannonball Waterproof Mascara & Stila Mango Crush Lip Stain. Now I'm prepared for summer heat, humidity and maybe getting throw in the pool!

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