Giving Thanks

An entire post giving thanks to the products and places that I love or just make life a little easier (in no particular order).

1.) Getting a new cellular phone. There is nothing like getting a new phone with all of its gadgets and things. Learning how to use it. Accidentally hanging up on people. Oh, and actually having a battery that can last an entire conversation (and you know I like to converse!).

2.) Walgreen's. Did you KNOW that you can pick up your Walgreen's prescription at any Walgreen's. Talk about making life easy! No more haggling with the insurance company to let you fill a 'scrip early because you are going on a vacation. Just give them your phone number and you can pick it up!

3.) Rosebud Salve. What in the world was Sephora thinking? I just got this stuff today and I am already addicted! When I go back to Sephora I will be picking up a few more (you know, for the car, my OTHER purse, the desk, etc.). I love my C.O. Bigelow Menthol Lip Shine, but MAN! I think I'm in LUST with the Rosebud Salve. I hope it conditions like it says it does because my Menthol Lip Shine just isn't doing the job like it used to!

4.) Orly Bonder Base Coat. When they say BONDER, they mean it! This is my holy grail base coat and I don't need to try any more! WHY bother?! Fingers and toes. Nail polish doesn't touch them without this base coat!

5.) Sally Hansen Natural Shine Nail Polish. I love this nail polish. It's not clear, really, but it makes your nails have that just buffed look. The advertisements and reviews have said that it doesn't peel and crack like traditional nail polish, but it gradually fades. I don't find that to be exactly true, but the polish did last a long time. Best of all, it dries almost instantly!

Toodles!

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month

And in honor of "Skin Care Awareness month" I'll explain why I have sunscreen in my care. I'll admit it, I have a preoccupation with aging. I don't want to do it. No, that's not right, I DO want to age, I just want to age GRACEFULLY! Wrinkles are not a good look for anyone without the wisdom to back them up. When I get wrinkles, I want to have experienced LIFE.

The first places that show signs of aging are the face, the neck, and the hands. I apply sunblock to all three of these places on a daily basis. Sunblock is one of the best ways to prevent premature aging due to sun damage. On my face and neck, I use either Neutrogena Dry Touch Sunblock (spf 45) or Clinique Super City Block. Of course, when I apply, I use gentle upward strokes instead of tugging on the skin (and causing wrinkles). On my hands, I have Aveeno's sunblock (spf 55...I think). Most of the sun we get is by accident. It comes from walking in the sun, driving, riding the bus, etc. I just apply the sunblock to my hands when I get in the car, if I remember, and if not, I apply when I feel like my hands are hot. I keep my sunblock more accessible than the lotion in my car as well. That way, if my hands feel dry, I reach for the sunblock. Tinting your car windows is a good way to protect you skin as well.

Retinoids are another anti-aging measure that I am using, and will continue to use until there is something better. I have also changed the way I use eyeliner. I used to pull my eyelid out to get a great line, but now, I just apply the eyeliner to my lid. No pulling. No tugging. It takes longer, but I'm happy to know that I am doing my part to fight wrinkles! it's probably a little too early for me to start using eye creams, but I'm looking at them, trying to find out what makes a good one. They'll probably be added to my skin care regimine when I hit my mid to late 20's.

If these options aren't available to you, you could also take other measures: wearing sunglasses, a wide brimmed hat, and keeping your body as protected from the sun as possible. You should also avoid the sun during the times when it burns the hottest (noon until about 3 p.m.).

Ode to my terrible skin

I've admitted it time and time again. I have terrible skin. Okay, it's not TERRIBLE by any standards, but I wouldn't exactly call it glowing, even, and radiant. So, I fake it! Having terrible skin and loving makeup don't exactly MESH well (that would be my ode to Clueless, my all time favorite movie). Since they don't MESH well, I have to over compensate in other areas.

1.) I never never never sleep in my makeup. It doesn't matter how tired I am, I am taking that makeup off! I use MAC wipes if I don't have time to go through my whole face washing routine.

2.) I clean my face brushes religiously. Yes, I'm talking like clock work. Twice a week, I wash and sanitize my face brushes (my other brushes get washed once a week). I use a mixture of water (4 parts) and Mac brush cleanser (1 part) to sanitize. You can also use alcohol. I don't use it straight because it will dry my brushes out. After I do my first wash with my mixture, I use Target baby shampoo to complete the process. I wash and wash and wash until the suds run clean.

3.) If my foundation lasted long enough, I would replace it twice a year. No questions asked. There is no reason to keep bacteria floating around for any longer than that. Yes, liquids hold bacteria. All hail powder foundations! If I could find one that I loved more than my Studio Fix Fluid, I would be in LUST. For EVER!

4.) Sometimes, you gotta know when to quit. If I'm experiencing a terrible breakout (which doesn't happen that often, all hail Retin-A) I know when to fold on the makeup. There isn't enough makeup in the world to compensate on some days so I just say uncle and suck it up.

5.) I also recognize and believe that on some level, makeup does provide a barrier between my skin and the environment. That makes me feel good. It also helps that my foundation contains sunblock. It's only SPF 15, but on the RARE mornings I get so ahead of myself that I forget to put sunblock on, I don't feel like a total slacker. (I also have sunblock in my car, so if I'm not wearing makeup, I'm covered. The sunblock in my car is for my hands, but that's another post!)

Toodles,
ms.new.beauty

Spring has REALLY sprung!

It's official, my obsession with body butters has lasted way past the winter blues. I was itching to try something new the other day, and decided to dig into my closet and see what I could find. I found Victoria's Secret body butter in Love Spell. I opened up the jar and couldn't hide my disappointment. It looked a little dried out, I wondered if I had kept it too long. Total sadness. Then, I dug my finger in. This stuff was so creamy, and unlike any other body butter that I tried. The consistency was a little like icing and that made my jump for joy on the inside. I applied it and fell in love. I also love that it served as a double duty product. The scent wasn't over powering (even though I applied it to my whole body) and it lasted a good portion of the day without reapplying. Total joy. And what's better? They are on sale now here: Body Butter.

While I'm thinking about it, I must write about what's supposed to be the "Holy Grail" of all mascaras. Dior Show. Yeah, I tried it, I couldn't resist. I am proud of myself though because I didn't buy it. Twenty dollars for a mascara? Please. Especially considering I'm a three months and toss type of girl. I got it as a gift. I'm glad I didn't spend my hard earned money on it. Don't get me wrong, it's GOOD, but six times the price of my normal mascara (I buy Maybelline when it's buy one get one free. Don't judge! I'm all about beauty on a budget.) I.don't.think.so. I guess it doesn't hurt that I already have long lashes (thank you, dad), so I don't really need help there that a drug store mascara won't provide. It's also a dry mascara and I don't think the tube is going to last me two months, let alone the three that I'm used to! The good thing about it is that it doesn't get all over the eyeshadow that I've already applied. I also think I'm partial to wet mascaras. Next on my list of mascaras to sucker someone in to buying for me: Benefit BadGal Mascara. You can pick up the diorshow here: Sephora.

And just a little bit of news that brightened up my day?! Sephora just hit the mall nearest to me! My MAC counter at Nordstroms, The L'Occitane B & M (have you TRIED their hand cream? Another item for my, please someone buy it for me list) store, and now Sephora?! What more could a beauty junkie ask for?

I'm terrible and I know it

I know, I'm terrible at this blogging thing. In fact, I believe I'm worse than when I was using a pen and paper journal, but I've got a new resolve, and I will do better this time! Finals are coming and I've been needing some extra help being ms. new beauty these days. Combination and easy to use products have been a must for me!

My newest love is the Aztec Healing Clay mask. This wonder pulls everything from way beneath the surface of my skin right up to the top. It's like heaven in a jar. I paid less than 10.00 for a pound of the dry clay. I just mix it with a little ACV (apple cider vinegar) because I'm trying to clear dark marks and apply. It can be used with water or a combination of both, though. Between 30 and 60 minutes later I rinse off and am left with smooth, poreless skin (now!) When I first started using it, you'd be amazed at the things that came up. This has even replaced my beloved aspirin mask (for now). When the weather turns cool again, I'll probably return to the aspirin mask once a week and use this once a week. This is also a good spot treatment for any incidentals that pop up between treatment times.

I also recently purchased Clinique's Gel Liner in black honey. This little cream is heaven in a jar. The color is so unique and applies so smoothly. Believe you me, as a self-proclaimed MAC girl, this is nothing short of a miracle for me! I am a firm believer in changing up your beauty routine at least twice a year so you always remain fresh, so I traded in my every day Blacktrack Fluidliner for this softer bronze color. I think it makes my eyes look fresh and unique and I get nonstop compliments about something that is "different." "Why thank-you," I reply, "I don't know what it could possibly be!" You'll keep my secret won't you?

As far as fragrances go, I am LUSTING after Dolce & Gabbana's Light Blue. There's something abut this light, fresh scent that draws me in! This will be one of my next fragrance purchases, unless I can swindle someone into buying it for me first!

Toodles,
ms. new beauty

Beauty is as beauty does

I am becoming a hard and fast beauty junkie and I cannot stop myself! Recently I purchased the full sized MAC 190 foundation brush and I love it! I'm actually happy that I lost my 190se because the full sized brush is so much better. I'll never waste money on those holiday sets again. The brushes are nice to have and they are great if you aren't using them a lot of if you want to get a handle on some of the brushes (for instnace I can't see myself using my 168se so much that I need the full size, but that could change!). I purchased my first blush: MAC Sweet as Cocoa! I know, I didn't own a blush..shocking, my MAC MA was shocked as well! I can't believe how much a little blush changes your look. I love it and can't wait to buy more! I also bought Philosophy's 3 in 1 in amazing grace and I am in lust! That has to be the best, most moisturizing body wash I've ever used! Move over Bath and Body Works, I've got a new lover (now if they only had a body wash/scrub in one!). The soap was just so light and rinsed so clean! I can't wait to shower again! I think that is all in beauty world, but I am coveting so much right now!

My skin..oh my..

My skin is really terrible and I really don't know what to do about it. Sure, I could cry and scream (etc. etc.) but I'd much rather be proactive. I need to really do some research about what is good for you skin and what is not. Here's a breakdown of what I am currently doing/using and why:

Aveeno Calming Daily Foaming Cleanser: I really like Aveeno products, but the bar was drying me out. I have to change to a different cleanser every winter without fail. This time, I opted for this cleanser. I was really happy becuase for the first time, I found a cleanser that didn't contain a whole mess of "acne fighting" ingredients, or anti- aging stuff, everyone doesn't need that! I used Cetaphil last winter but really don't like the film it left on my skin.

Neutrogena Alcohol Free Toner: I thought they had discontinued this toner, but alas, they had just changed to bottle! I was so excited to find it in the store because EVERY OTHER TONER contained alcohol! I've read that you want a toner sans alcohol because it dries the skin! This makes sense to me! I just re-added this to my regimine because it is supposed to remove everything my cleanser leaves behind.

Olay Express Daily Facials: I just use these to wash off my makeup at night before I use my cleanser. The Aveeno Foam is just no good at taking makeup off!

Neutrogena Dry Touch Sunblock: I have to use sunblock every day. I'm now a fanatic about it! I have to protect my face from free radicals and start preventing wrinkles. I'm 21 and already thinking about wrinkles. Next thing you know, I'll be in the market for a good eye cream!

Oil of Olay Lotion: Yes, I have to use my lotion and sunblock separately. Surely you will remember my sunblock allergey mentioned a few months ago and the reaction I get. Enough said!

Origins Swept Away Gentle Scrub: I love it! I just got it today but it contains jojoba beads and other good for you stuff! I originally went to the store for the never a dull moment scrub but it seemed too grainy like it would damage my skin. This scrub is so smooth and perfect! I'll use this once a week (maybe twice).

Mary Kay Clarifying Mask: I'm just starting to use this again so the jury's still out on it. I think I will only use it when I am having breakouts. Once a week after my Scrub.

Aspirin Mask: I love it! Who knew?! I was doing this every other day, and I loved it, but I just can't keep up with that kind of schedule! My goal is once or twice a week depending on if I'm using the clay mask or not!