“2.9: the additional servings of fruit and vegetables per day that will produce a noticeable improvement in your complexion within six weeks” - from Marie Claire magazine
I suddenly have an urge to go purchase one of those hide-fruits-and-veggies-from-your-kids-in-other-foods books that have been so popular in the past few years.
How do you make sure to eat your fruits and vegetables every day?
The answer: ho hoe ba
Ever wonder why it’s so good for your skin and hair?
The answer, courtesy of www.aveda.com
“because it closely resembles out skins own sebum, this oil is an extraordinarily compatible and effective moisturizer.”
So apparently, since not having a camera for many months, I’ve entirely forgotten about my blog. Okay, okay, I didn’t forget you, I just wasn’t as motivated to write without photos to accompany the verbs, nouns, etc…
How is everyone? So sorry I’ve been out of touch. Is there anything you want to know about? Product, tips, tricks, etc? I’m here for you, let me know!
I’m doing two mascara reviews today: Diorshow Extase, and TooFaced Better Than False Lahes Nylon Lash Extensions
First up to bat, Diorshow Extase
I received this in my Birchbox this month, and wasn’t sure what to expect - I’ve never been super- enamored of the original Diorshow (blasphemy! I know, I know!). The tagline for Extase is “Instant Oversize Volume”. They weren’t kidding. For someone who loves big showgirl-sized lashes on a daily basis, this is pretty incredible.
I had to apply about three coats with the (for lack of a better way to describe it) snowman shaped brush, but after that, I was in love. The formula boasts “metamorphosis powder and spherical black pearl pigments”….yeah, don’t know exactly what that is either, but frankly, I don’t care. My lashes were long, lush, and felt soft all day. No smudging, no flaking, no clumping, and I’m pretty sure they felt softer even after removal.
Would I purchase a full size of this Diorshow Extase? At $28.50 a tube, this is obviously not your drugstore mascara, but given the results: Abso-freakin-lutely. It was beautiful.
Now on to the (VERY unfortunately) not so beautiful (on me) TooFaced Better Than False Lashes.
First let me say, I really, REALLY wanted to love this mascara. I wanted to cuddle it, and love it, and make it mine forever. TooFaced as a whole, is quickly becoming one of my favorite go-to brands, but I was sadly disappointed in this mascara.
I picked it up on recommendation of a few former co-workers. They all swore big, full, super long lashes.
Did I get those things? Absolutely I did.
Did I also feel like baby pinecones were stabbing me in the eye all evening? You bet your favorite lipbalm I did.
Let me explain. The box comes with two tubes. One is the mascara and base, the other is the nylon fibers. You start with a coat of the base, add a coat of fibers, cover with more base, and repeat up to four times.
I did three coats, and my lashes looked amazing, really, like I had extensions done. But I just couldn’t get over the stabby.
Would I buy TooFaced Better Than False Lashes again? I think its pretty clear, sadly, no I won’t. Not to say its not for you, maybe you won’t have sensitive to stabby things eyeballs? Or if you want to try to put up with it for the evening, by all means, its a showsstopper thats for sure.
Everyone have a great day, THANK YOU for sticking with me while I moved, was admitted into school, and many other things. I promise not to leave for so long this time. Maybe a couple days? Is that cool? Can we still be friends?
XOXO
PS- don’t forget to let me know what you want to read about!
I received my January Birchbox about a week ago…I still love getting that bright pink box in the mail, it’s so exciting!
Included in this months’ box were:
Juicy Couture Perfume
Stila Smudge Stick waterproof eye liner in Blue Ribbon
Larabar Carrot Cake
Clarks Botanicals Marine Cream
Archipelago Pomegranate Soap
So far, my hands-down favorite this month is the Stila Smudge Stick. I admit that I’ve never tried any of their eye products until now, and I’m beginning to think I’ve been missing out. The color is super rich, the liner glide, I mean, GLIDES on, and stays put perfectly. It is ridiculously blendable, or you can make a line so precise it looks like liquid liner - I personally love that versatility. Saves money and valuable product space in my makeup box.
I just tried the Clarks Botanicals Marine Cream this evening. Word of warning, this cream is t.h.i.c.k. I put a small dollop on my finger as I usually do with my Olay cream, and it was FAR too much, I had to pat most of it off with two tissues. I’ve had it on for about an hour now, and it has soaked in nicely and my skin feels really soft. The point of this cream however, is that it is supposed to be an exfoliating moisturizer. I’ll really have to try it out for a few more days before I have a verdict. In the meantime, if you go out and buy this, be sure to wear a strong SPF over it if you will be in any sunlight.
Juicy Couture perfumes have really never been my style, but this is still nice for the right person. I won’t be wearing it again though, after this time. Too….something…I always think of the line in “Mean Girls” when Lindsays real friends tell her “you smell like a baby prostitute.” Sorry, Juicy, you’re just not my thing. (although your seersucker summer suits are to die for)
The one thing I haven’t tried yet is the Archipelago Pomegranate soap. It smells like heaven, but I’m waiting until my shower clears out of some of the gazillion other products I’m using right now. (Softsoap Coconut Scub, The Body Shop Satsuma Glycerine Bar Soap…and oh so much more)
Hey everyone, sorry for the delay in posting. I am in the process of getting a couple of them out to you very soon.
In the meantime, tell me, what is your favorite way to get ready for Spring? It has just started snowing here in New England, and I am already wishing and hoping for warmer days very soon.
More soon….XOXO
Hey all, so I just received my first Birchbox…and might I say, I’m in love.
There’s no Chocopod in my photo because I.ATE.IT. And it was delicious. More about that later….
I’ve had a chance to try two of the four products in my November Birchbox, so here are the reviews:
Klorane Soothing Eye Makeup Remover with Cornflower Water ($9)
*This came at a perfect time, I had just run out of my usual remover. I think I just might be changing to the Klorane. Its super gentle, smells a bit like rose, and removed ALL of my eye makeup.
*The key to this is gentle. I have pretty sensitive eyes, and every eye makeup remover I have ever used has caused either redness, itching, or burning. (sounds like I different kind of problem…but lets leave that alone, shall we?!) This hasn’t caused any of that at all. I’m really impressed by this item.
Oscar Blandi Protein Mist for Restyling Hair ($18)
*This product is light, nicely scented, and perfect for “day two” hair, along with my trusty Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo.
*I was really excited to receive an Oscar product in my first Birchbox. I’m a HUGE fan of the Dry Shampoo, this just gave me one more product to love. I have used this twice now in conjunction with my Dry Shampoo on day two of a normal hair cleansing, and I have to say it does make a difference. Its like it refreshes the product I’ve already put in, so I don’t layer too much and weigh my hair down.
Chuao Chocolatier Firecracker Chocopod ($6)
*aaaahhhhh, Chocolate….one of my true loves in life. This particular chocolate, is, well, a bit particular. Its spicy, sweet, salty, and poppy. Yes, poppy. It has a pop-rocks like popping sensation in the midst of the chipotle salt dark chocolately goodness. Trust me when I say I have never had anything like it, and I feel like I’ve been missing out. Do yourself a favor and get yourself some. Now.
The two things I haven’t tried yet:
LaRocca Skincare Champagne and Shimmer Body Polish. How I haven’t tried this with a name like Champagne and Shimmer (two of my all time favorite things) is beyond my wildest imagination. I guess I’m waiting for my day off to try?
Zoya Nail Polish in Noel- Holiday 2011 collection color. Really pretty blue shimmer color. The description is “Shimmery denim shade”. I think its more like Peacock blue. And its beautiful. Unfortunately, I can’t wear color on my nails to work, so I’ll have to make it my new Pedi color.
Have a very Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Whats your favorite holiday dish? I’m looking forward to filling up on turkey and mashed potatoes.
Its that time of year again, the temperatures drop. Then rise. Then drop again, this time falling to hover near the 40 degree mark for a spell, then significantly dropping to the freezing level thereafter.
In Fall and Winter, I, like many other people, struggle with dry skin, usually resultant from the temperature fluctuations and dry air.
Here are a few things I’m using to fight the good fight against parched skin:
Softsoap Body Butter Coconut Scrub
Suave Cocoa Butter with Shea
Vaseline Sheer Infusion Mineral Renewal
Carmex Healing Cream
Origins Night-A-Mins
OPI Avoplex Cuticle Oil
Carmex strawberry moisturizing lip balm
I’m sure there are some more natural and maybe even more hydrating products out there, but I’m super scent sensetive (say that ten times fast) and refuse to put anything on my skin that smells funky to me.
Truthfully, I’m a product junkie, and these are just a few of the things I’ll end of using this year, but this is what I’m starting with.
If there are two standouts from that list that I would recommend everyone try its the Carmex Healing Cream, and the Night-A-Mins. The Carmex cream soaks in super quickly and is very hydrating and healing. The Night-A-Mins is a nighttime face cream designed to help promote a better nights sleep, to lightly exfoliate your skin, and infuse vitamins and minerals into your skin so you wake up with brighter, smoother skin. I am pretty much obsessed with these two products.
A few more Winter weather tips to prevent unneccessary dryness?
-Take shorter, slightly cooler showers. Really hot water is drying, as is staying in the shower too long.
-Drink and eat your water. Drink 6-8 glasses of water, and eat 6-8 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Our cells hold onto water we eat, more than water we drink.
-Speaking of drinking….don’t drink too much alcohol. Its been said that women shouldn’t drink more than 2 drinks at a time, and 7 total in a week. Be good to your skin. Alcohol is drying and has been shown to increase redness in the skin.
-Look for products that include: Glycerin, Lanolin, Hyaluronic Acid, Shea and Cocoa Butters, Mango Butter…these are all great moisturizers that don’t irritate most skin types
-Get some sleep! your body repairs itself at night. Beauty rest really is just that!
-Exfoliate!!! One thing many people don’t realize is that yes, the body does exfoliate naturally, but it does so at an uneven pace. In order for your moisturizers and products to sink in and do their job to the best of their ability, you need to exfoliate 2-3 times a week to even things out.
Here’s to a very hydrated and happy skin winter! XO
