Archive for the ‘Beauty’ Category

J.Crew & Essie Together

Friday, August 7th, 2009

If there’s one thing I strive to be fashion wise, it’s dress like the girls from J.Crew. I just love their style. I cannot get over it.

So, when Courtney over at In(side) the Loop informed me that Essie and J.Crew have combined creative juices and come out with two beautiful limited-edition colors for fall ’09, I about jumped for joy!

Personally I like Eternal Optimist, a soft ballerina pink. But, One of A Kind, a fiery orange-red that can be seen on the models’ nails throughout the latest catalog, is fun too! Both can found in stores and online.

Breaking Curfew

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

No matter what color I put on my toes, I always go back to Breaking Curfew. It looks super dark, but in the sun it’s an awesome color.
Image: Drugstore.com

Fuschia Nail Polish

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

I’m normally a red or burgundy or dark, dark red nail polish kinda gal. But lately, I’ve been in the mood for something bright and summery. Something a bit different. So, low and behold, while at Target yesterday I came upon Essie Exotic Liras. It shows a bit too red on my monitor but it’s a true fuschia. It reminds me of my friend Tonya’s fuschia powder room and looks amazing on my toes. What are you wearing these days?

P.S. Did you know Essie polishes contain no Formaldehyde, DBP or Toluen. Love that!

Shampoo & Conditioner

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

I’m on the hunt for a new shampoo and conditioner. I have thick, somewhat course hair that isn’t colored. It takes forever to dry with a hairdryer but I need to wash it everyday because otherwise it becomes greasy. Any suggestions? Oh, and if they’re safe for the environment, that would be awesome!
Image: flickr

Makeup Bag

Tuesday, June 16th, 2009

Currently eying this makeup bag from the Kate Spade Sample Sale. Lots of pretty things at ridiculously low prices.
Image via Kate Spade

Product Review: Full N’Soft

Monday, April 27th, 2009

Ever since Lancome seemingly changed the formula of their Definicils Mascara {which then gave me terrible raccoon eyes} I’ve been on the hunt for something new. I’ve been open to high end, low end and everything in between with a criteria that it should lengthen and thicken, wash off easily and most importantly, not run. I have pretty decent lashes, so they just need something to help them standout. Enter Maybelline Full N’Soft. My lashes are definitely clump free, not brittle, longer and thicker and so far no raccoon eyes! I’ll let you know once the humidity invades Charlotte, but for now, I’m thrilled I found something that get’s it all done!
Image via Drugstore.com

Product Review: Super Dry Skin

Wednesday, February 11th, 2009

I don’t know about you, but lately my skin has been super dry. So, it’s time to switch up my moisturizing/body wash routine.

Out is Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash and in its place is Johnson’s Softwash Melt Away Stress 24 Hour Moisturizing Wash. So far I love it. The scent is light, it rinses away without a residue and I definitely notice my skin isn’t as dry and tight feeling after the hot shower.
Also out is Lubriderm Lotion with Sunscreen. I’m not getting any sun on my arms and legs anyway. In its place comes Suave Firming Moisturizer. Again, it has a very light fragrance {noticing a pattern here} and I’m not itchy at all throughout the day. In fact, at the end of the day when I’m changing into pajamas I notice my skin feels very similar to when I first put on my clothes.

I’m all about finding the best products but don’t like spending buckets of money on things like this. What are your favorites?
Images via Drugstore.com

Pink Grapefruit Face Wash

Monday, November 17th, 2008

I’ve been searching for a less expensive facial cleanser to replace the Origins and Aveda I’ve used over the last couple of years. Mostly because I think money is better spent on other things but also because if they have the same ingredients then in my head they must do the same thing. This weekend I tried Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Facial Cleanser and really loved it. It didn’t leave my skin dry, it sudsed nicely and had a nice, fresh frangrance. Yeah for less expensive beauty products that work! {image via Drugstore.com}

Threading

Tuesday, June 17th, 2008

Today I had my eyebrows threaded for the first time. Since my skin sometimes gets irritated with waxing, I’ve been thinking about it as an alternative. Then, after I saw the shaping of my friend Alexis’s eyebrows I knew I had to try it. And, I’m so glad I did. I love the way they look! I’m a threading convert!

Lovely

Friday, June 13th, 2008

I’ve been wearing Calvin Klein Euphoria for a few years and I’m starting to feel like it’s too heavy and musky. I rediscovered Lovely and adore how light and, well, lovely it is.

SPF Lotion

Sunday, June 1st, 2008

I have a confession. I’m really bad about sunscreen. This is an embarrassment, especially for a girl who grew up in Arizona, land of 360 days of sunshine. You’d think I’d learn, but no. This time though, I think it’s different. Last weekend proved to be days of fun in the sun and this weekend my shoulders and chest are showing it. I’m like a snake, peeling. I’ve made using SPF easy for my face with Laura Mercier’s tinted moisturizer. Now, I’ve started using Lubriderm Daily Moisture with SPF 15 because really, I don’t love to primp or add anymore time to my bathroom routine, but peeling skin is even worse.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008

My friend Ashley has gorgeous skin. I know genetics play a huge part. And making sure you’re drinking enough water does too. But, she insists this stuff is what she relies on. I picked some up today. The true test will be if it doesn’t add oil to my already uber-oily skin, evens out my tone and lasts all day. I’ll report back soon with my thoughts.

Natural Products

Saturday, April 12th, 2008

As I run out of the current health and beauty products I’m using, I’ve begun replacing them with all natural ones. I’m very particular about what I use. I don’t like soap that is perfumy or has an overpowering fruit scent. I just like to smell clean but at the same time not antiseptic. Same criteria goes for any product I use in my hair with the addition that it can’t leave a nasty film. These are the best products I’ve found so far.

The Method body wash and hand soap in White Tea leave my skin moisturized. I don’t itch, have a nasty “moisturized skin” film or get any type of irritation or breakouts {all of which I’ve had with other products, particularly body wash.}

I really love Aveda products but they just don’t work into my budget. The Burt’s Bees Grapefruit & Sugar Beet Shampoo and Conditioner come in a close second. The scent is refreshing and not at all reminiscent of walking into a Bath & Body Works store. Peeewww. They leave my hair shiny and smelling great. The conditioner doesn’t leave a nasty film on my hair thus causing it to be limp.

The Burt’s Bees Hair Repair is great for hair that gets a lot of abuse. I blow dry mine almost daily and occasionally use the flat iron. This stuff made it super soft and moisturized.

Recently, I found the Burt’s Bees products for $1.98 at Target. That’s the same prices as Suave and a lot cheaper than the $7.99 at the grocery store. If you go to Target, Burt’s Bees is kept by the makeup, not by the other shampoo and conditioner.

I’m still searching for natural toothpaste and deodorant that does as good of job as Crest and Secret. If you have any recommendations please let me know!

Product Review: Natural Products

Saturday, April 12th, 2008

As I run out of the current health and beauty products I’m using, I’ve begun replacing them with all natural ones. I’m very particular about what I use. I don’t like soap that is perfumy or has an overpowering fruit scent. I just like to smell clean but at the same time not antiseptic. Same criteria goes for any product I use in my hair with the addition that it can’t leave a nasty film. These are the best products I’ve found so far.

The Method body wash and hand soap in White Tea leave my skin moisturized. I don’t itch, have a nasty “moisturized skin” film or get any type of irritation or breakouts {all of which I’ve had with other products, particularly body wash.}

I really love Aveda products but they just don’t work into my budget. The Burt’s Bees Grapefruit & Sugar Beet Shampoo and Conditioner come in a close second. The scent is refreshing and not at all reminiscent of walking into a Bath & Body Works store. Peeewww. They leave my hair shiny and smelling great. The conditioner doesn’t leave a nasty film on my hair thus causing it to be limp.

The Burt’s Bees Hair Repair is great for hair that gets a lot of abuse. I blow dry mine almost daily and occasionally use the flat iron. This stuff made it super soft and moisturized.

Recently, I found the Burt’s Bees products for $1.98 at Target. That’s the same prices as Suave and a lot cheaper than the $7.99 at the grocery store. If you go to Target, Burt’s Bees is kept by the makeup, not by the other shampoo and conditioner.

I’m still searching for natural toothpaste and deodorant that does as good of job as Crest and Secret. If you have any recommendations please let me know!

Pretty Pink

Monday, March 31st, 2008

I love the pale pinks on fingers and toes this spring. Real Simple has a great feature online that picks the best color based on your skin tone.