The downhill slope of the semester. It feels more like an uphill battle, does it not? We return from a week of much needed R and R only to be bombarded with countless projects, papers, tests, quizzes and the evil that dares not speak its name: group work.
           It goes without saying that we all crave one thing at this point: summer vacation. Ah, yes. Sun, sand, warm weather and most importantly, unlimited naps and Netflix.
           Summer may seem like centuries away, but the fact of the matter is it’s just around the corner! So, what can you do in the meantime to keep yourself from going stir-crazy? Set your desktop background to palm trees and surf, turn on some Jimmy Buffet and treat yo’self to an evening of TLC with these at-home (or in this case, in-dorm) beauty remedies that are sure to get you in the vacation spirit!
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1.    Glowing Skin—sans Sunburn (remedy from healthyandnaturalworld.com). Get glowing, radiant skin with only three ingredients: turmeric, honey (preferably organic) and milk. Not only will this mask give your skin that summer glow you crave, it can also help eliminate dark spots, rosacea and acne.
Add one teaspoon of turmeric to a bowl (coffee mugs are the perfect size). Then, add one teaspoon of honey and one teaspoon of milk or yogurt. Mix until all ingredients are evenly incorporated and the mixture has become a thick paste.
Once the mask is ready, wash your face with a gentle facial cleanser; make sure to remove all makeup. Then, apply an even layer of the mask to all parts of your face. Kick back and relax for a good 20 minutes as the mask dries. Finally, wash the mask off with cool water—and enjoy your healthy new glow!
2.    Pearly Whites (remedy from mylittlebeautycorner.com). Naturally whiten your teeth without the pain or outrageous price of professional whitening or drugstore whitening treatments. All you need are two simple ingredients: baking soda and strawberries. It sounds crazy, but it actually works! And you can use the rest of those strawberries to whip yourself up a tropical smoothie.
Here’s all there is to it: pulverize one strawberry and add one teaspoon of baking soda. Mix together until both ingredients are thoroughly combined. Then, apply paste to teeth and leave on for five minutes. Finally, rinse with water and brush with your regular toothpaste—and voila!
3.    Beachy Blowout (how-to from fitnessmagazine.com). Want to have luscious, beachy locks without the salon price? Well, now you can! And thankfully, it’s super easy.
It’s best to start a DIY blowout while your hair is still damp. So, after you get out of the shower, use a towel to eliminate excess water and comb out any tangles. Before drying, apply a fast-dry spray if you so desire to help move the process along (This is especially helpful if you have thick hair.). Then, begin drying your hair using only your fingers as a guide; the brush will come in later.
Once your hair is mostly dry, separate it into four section at the crown, either side and back of your head. Next, secure the side and back sections with clips. Then, use a round-brush to pull the hair at your crown upward, directing heat toward the roots. As you move the brush through this section of hair, wrap your ends around it and roll the brush back down toward your head as you dry. Continue this process until the section is completely dry. Then, wrap your hair around four fingers to create a large curl and pin it in place with a clip. Continue this process on the other sections, making sure to roll your hair away from your head to increase volume. After you finish each section, pin it in place as you did with your crown.
While each section is still pinned, use the cool setting on your hairdryer to eliminate frizz and add shine. Finally, take down each section and loosen curls by running your fingers through your hair. Finish off your beach bombshell look with a styling crème and/or hairspray.  Â
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