Fantabulous!

My Apologies

2007-02-04T19:49:00.000-08:00

Hey, guys. Sorry for not posting all last week... As you can tell, my postings lately have been... sporadic. Here's the deal-- my husband and I are moving to Switzerland in a few weeks. So we're kind of in the middle of packing, trying to get our stuff sorted out, shipping our things, tying up loose ends, etc etc etc. I've been trying to keep up the blog here but I'm not sure it's quite working.

So I think I'll take the pressure off myself, and just post from time to time, when the inspiration (and time) hits me. Which may mean I post very little for a while.

If anyone out there would like to help pick up the slack and write for this blog, I would love to hear from you. My email is over there on the left.

Marcy

Must. Have. These. Shoes.

2007-01-27T17:19:00.000-08:00

Ok, so actually I want the grey suede ones I saw at the store today. I think the suede material will be much more soft and flexible (meaning won't cut into my toes the way the patent leather material might). I didn't buy them when I saw them today b/c I have a 10% off coupon for Target and I didn't have it with me at the time (it was an unplanned venture to Target with a friend). But you better believe I'll be going back, possibly tomorrow, and making my purchase then.

These adorable peep-toe platforms are available in black and red shiny patent leather, and suede leopard print (also in suede zebra print and grey, in-store), $29.99. Or click here to see the rest of Target's selection of adorable peep-toe shoes.

M by Madonna

2007-01-26T12:22:00.000-08:00

Rumor has it clothing store chain H&M will be unveiling a clothing line later this year designed by Madonna called M by Madonna.

I already adore H&M, and am getting pretty excited about this new line. At right is one of the just-released promo pictures, along with our dear Madge wearing a pair of M by Madonna sunglasses, and some sketches of soon-to-come clothing (click on image to enlarge).

BTW, I totally want those sunglasses.

(thanks, PITNB!)

Spa Towells

2007-01-25T09:53:00.000-08:00

I received a sample in the mail recently of these nifty new Spa Towell towelettes, which are "lightly scented 8” x 8” body moisturizing towelettes drenched with a rich blend of natural oils, antioxidant rich vitamins and moisture attracting humectants that leave skin feeling smoother, softer and more supple."

Intrigued? Well, I was! So I tried one this morning after getting out of the shower. They come in individually wrapped packages, so I opened one up and noted that the towelette did indeed feel like it was loaded with lotion. I slathered the towelette on my legs first, as they usually are the part of my body that needs the most moisture during this time of year. The towelette was a bit awkward to use as I tried to spread the lotion evenly onto my skin, but I think that's a result of it simply being a towelette and would simply require some practice to figure out how to handle it. I was a bit dissappointed to note that most of the lotion seemed to have gotten used up on my legs. You probably need 2 towels to really get your entire body.

The lotion did absorb quickly, with no greasiness. The scent is light, not overpowering as with some scented body lotions. I wouldn't rely on these for everyday use, if nothing else because of the waste of throwing away the towelette each time, but they're brilliant for travel! You could pack them in your carry-on without having to worry about the liquids restrictions.

You can order packs of 10 ($19.95), 20 ($39.95), or 30 ($59.95) towelettes online, or go to the website to find stores near you.

New Posts at TargetCulture.com

2007-01-23T16:31:00.000-08:00

Check out 2 unbelievably awesome purses I found at Target online, then find out how to save on shipping when buying them! ; )

Beauty Expiration Dates

2007-01-23T16:26:00.000-08:00

Courtesy of the February issue of Real Simple magazine:

Your products won’t last forever, but here’s a comprehensive list of cosmetics and how long you can expect to keep them:

Anti-aging and acne treatments: Three months to a year. Antioxidants are easily oxidized, so be on the lookout for any changes in color.

Body lotion: Two to three years, particularly if it’s in a pump container.

Shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel: About three years.

Bath oil: One year.

Sunscreen: Check the package for an expiration date.

Mascara and liquid eyeliner: Three to four months. Make sure you’re diligent about replacing these items to prevent contamination and infections.

Eye and lip pencils: Three to five years. Sharpen them before each use as a way to preserve them and keep them clean.

Lipstick and lip gloss: Two to three years.

Foundation: About two years. Most bottles are designed to last that long. And if you don’t use it, chances are you didn’t love it to begin with.

Perfume: About two years. To get more mileage out of a perfume, resist the temptation to display a pretty bottle on your vanity. Instead, stash it away in a cool, dark place.

Nail polish: One year.

Hairstyling products: Three to five years. Most are alcohol-based, which helps preserve the formula.

Bar soap: Up to three years.

Shaving cream: About two years.

Deodorant: Up to two years.

Swiss Miss!

2007-01-20T17:37:00.000-08:00

Hello all, sorry for the lack of posting all last week. I was actually on a trip to Geneva, Switzerland, and things were so crazy before I left that I forgot to post an announcement about it.

However, I can write a short post about one thing I noticed in Switzerland, and I think this is something common throughout Europe-- women seem to wear their hair naturally much more there. I've heard this said before about women in Paris, for example. Here in the states, it seems everyone's gravitating towards this ultra-styled look-- everywhere you look, most women look perfectly blown-out, or with super-straight, sleek styles that can only come from slaving away with a flat iron, or with bouncy, beautiful curling-iron ringlets. It probably stems somewhat from how every movie and sitcom showcases women who seem to wake up every morning looking perfectly groomed. Everyone's hair is styled, and you can always tell.

But in Europe women seem to instead learn how to work with their own hair texture. They don't end up looking like frizzy messes-- instead they embrace their curly or wavy-haired-ness, and get good cuts that seem to suit their hair type. They must find products that make the most of their hair texture, rather than fighting it. Or they find chic ways to wear it up and out of their face, without having to spend hours on their hair.

I must say, I find this somewhat inspiring (and not just because I happen to be flat-iron-less at the moment, after foolishly burning mine out with the wrong type of power adapter). It's a relief to know that it's ok to just wear my hair naturally. This is silly, of course, because really I've always known this, but it does feel like there's pressure here to "do your hair," making one feel as if she's not properly grooming herself otherwise. When other women around you wear their hair in the curls and waves that only come from Mother Nature, it feels more "ok" to allow yourself to do the same. Maybe I should grow my bangs out, instead of continuing to wear a style that dictates the need for straightening them out. Maybe I should invest in a good haircut that will allow me to make the most of my curly hair, rather than fight it most days.

Maybe we should all consider doing the same, and save ourselves the time (and our hair the heat-damage) of everyday styling.

Eureka!!

2007-01-13T08:52:00.000-08:00

Last night I was planning on going out to this bar to celebrate friend's birthday. I decided to curl my hair with my curling iron, which I've done several times before. But I seemed to have a hard time getting the curls to really "stick" so, taking a magazine tip I'd recently read, I tried out this new technique: after curling each section of hair I coiled the curl back up and pinned it against my head with a bobby pin (I also sprayed each section with some of my new Paul Mitchell Spray Wax before curling). This only added a couple of seconds each time I curled a strand of hair, and it allows the hair to cool off while still curled. Which, when you think of it, totally makes sense-- when hair's hot or warm it's still very pliable and shapeable, but once it cools the style becomes more "set." This is the reason you use the cold shot button on your hair dryer after drying/styling sections of your hair-- it locks the style in place.

So I went around my whole head spraying, curling, coiling, and pinning (btw, I used a 1" curling iron). After I was done I did my makeup, then took all the bobby pins out. Here's what my hair looked like: (click on each picture to enlarge)

Pretty sweet, huh? =P As I took the pins out the curls almost stayed in place, barely uncoiling (the pictures above are after I shook my hair out a bit). I've never had them turn out so tightly coiled. It actually stayed pretty well curled throughout the night (so much so that one of my friends kept marvelling at it lol). The pictures below are of what my hair looks like this morning, after having slept on it and everything:

This is normally what my hair looks like a couple of hours after curling it, and it's still holding! It's also really nice an bouncy-- even after the wax (and light dustings of hair spray) my hair never felt sticky or hard or anything. I think the coiling helps make the curls look softer and a bit more natural (as opposed to the obvious curling iron ringlet). I think I could just wear my hair out the way it looks now-- I feel like I've got the Jessica Simpson loosely curled bob. ; )

So there ya have it, girls. Feel free to experiment with this at home!

Simply Adorable

2007-01-12T15:25:00.000-08:00

I was on a mission today to find a new purse, something smaller than what I currently have (which is huge and, though I love it, its size encourages me to throw everything but the kitchen sink inside, meaning my left shoulder's seriously considering ceceding from my body), and maybe something with a long strap that I can sling accross my body. While on this search, I found this incredibly adorable and oh-so-cute clutch at Old Navy ($12.50). And I wanted it. But I didn't get it. Perhaps next time... However if you're looking for a new going-out purse, go check this baby out. It's very slim, but b/c of its length it can hold a cell phone, slim camera, and your ID and keys. Perfect? Just about. It's also available in black with a black ribbon, for those of you that want a more subdued purse. ; )

What did I buy? Well, I happened by this cute little number from Target that I just had to have (for $14.99). Why? Because it just so happens to match my black and white mary janes that I bought a while back, and that I plan on wearing out tonight along with my black and white polka dotted headband. The outfit just came to me as I looked at this cute little purse, and now I'm very excited about it. I like the silver buckle on this purse, it looks like a more modern take on the Fendi buckle trend that's taken over Hollywood lately.

Dramatically Different... Plus!

2007-01-09T21:28:00.000-08:00

I was searching for a new face lotion a while ago and decided to give Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion ($11-$23) a try since I'd heard so many good things about it from people.

There's a part of me that still feels slightly apprehensive about splurging on this, rather than finding something at Walgreen's, but I do like the Clinique lotion. It's light and absorbs well, and it doesn't have any funky smell. It doesn't make my skin feel greasy afterwards, nor too dry. The only thing is it doesn't have any sunscreen in it, so I've been mixing a drop of lotion with a drop of Clinique Super City Block Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 25 ($16.50) every morning. The Super City Block was an impulse buy while I was browsing airport Duty-Free shops this past summer. I like it, but I think when I run out I'll just buy a drugstore sunblock for face rather than splurge again. SPF is SPF and they should all work about the same.

At night I've been using Grassroots While You Were Sleeping Overnight Moisture Cream ($17, click here for my previous post). I used a trial-sized tube during my travels in Texas over the holidays, then bought my own full-size jar as soon as I got back, and I swear my skin looks better because of it-- much smoother and more even. And, as I mentioned before, it smells absolutely divine.

Well, this started out as a post just about Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, and it turned into a Marcy's Skin Routine post. I guess that's just as well. ; )

Paul Mitchell Spray Wax

2007-01-07T18:26:00.000-08:00

I've been trying to stay away from buying more hair products, as I already should have any type of hair styling concoction I could ever need. However I recently broke down... While in Austin I went with my sister to get her hair cut. I was watching the guy style her hair, and saw that he was spraying something on her hair before flat-ironing each section. I looked on their shelves for what it was-- Paul Mitchell Spray Wax.($15 at amazon.com, I got mine at Ulta for $12.95) "Hmm," I thought, "this looks interesting...." I noticed that her hair looked really nice afterwards, her layers looked all separated and piece-y yet still light, moveable, and soft. I couldn't resist, I had to try it for myself. So n my much-anticipated trip to Ulta (I don't have one anywehre close to me here in Cali, so I'm always very excited to go when I'm in Austin) I snagged a bottle.

I used it for the first time on fresh, clean hair the other day-- I sprayed a bit of the wax on sections of my hair before flat-ironing, trying to be careful to hold the bottle a good arm's length away. I noticed that my hands and hair felt a little sticky as I was using it and got a bit worried, but that feeling went away after a few minutes (I guess once the extra wax evaporated?) and I was left with really smooth, piece-y hair. The true test? I had 3 different friends tell me they really liked me hair that day. =) Woot! I've liked using waxes and pastes in the past, but sometimes it feels like they're better suited for short hair, and can be a bit too goopy. This spray wax gives a lighter application that's easier for the rest of us to use. Next, I'll have to try it with a curling iron... I wonder what kind of hold it'll give curls, and if it could be a less-sticky alternative to hair spray? hmm... ; )

Good Skin Soft Reflections Illuminating Loose Powder

2007-01-05T18:42:00.000-08:00

I've been intrigued by the new trend on "illuminating" powders and shimmers, etc. So when I went on a shopping trip to Kohls and perused the Good Skin counter (one of their 4 beauty product lines), I felt the need to buy their Soft Reflections Illuminating Loose Powder ($18). It was a splurge, yes, but I just liked this stuff for some reason, and had to have it.

The label claims this :"water-infused" powder will "provide a barely-there luminosity that instantly refreshes and delicately minimizes the appearance of lines and wrinkles for a silky smooth radiance." I didn't really know what they meant by "water-infused" and just kinda sdhrugged my shoulders at it.

(As an aside, this idea of a shimmer powder minimizing the appearce of fine lines is complete bull. Wearing shimmer on your skin is like wearing a tight, satin dress-- any and all odd bulges or lines WILL show up, and will be magnified to proportions you were previously unaware of. Shimmer is still good, but you have to choose wisely where you will apply it).

As soon as I got home I opened up the box to try out my new powder. I was pleased to find a small travel brush inside the box (very handy). I sprinkled some of the powder onto the jar lid, swiped a large blush brush over it, and applied it to my cheeks. "Wait a minute," I thought, "why does my brush feel wet?" I touched swiped the brush on my hands, but felt nothing. Then I dusted more powder onto it and tried again.. and again it felt wet! Then it clicked-- that's what they meant by "water-infused!" I have no idea how they did it, as the powder is clearly a dry powder, or what the advantage is... It does feel kinda wierd at first, so be warned.

The shimmer itself is very subtle, which is nice-- none of this in-your-face, bright shimmer. I've found myself using a touch of this over my blush for a bit of luminosity. Again, one must be careful where to apply shimmer as it can make skin imperfections more obvious. But it can add a nice touch, especially if everything else you have on is matte.

BodyGlide

2007-01-03T10:52:00.000-08:00

(another repost [from 5/17/06]... sorry, guys, I'm flying back to California tomorrow, I promise I'll have some original content later this week!)

Ok, so this isn't exactly what you'd immediately call a "beauty product" but bear with me here for a moment and you'll thank me later...

Several months ago I signed up for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. This will involve me walking up to 39 miles over 2 days (insane, yes). As I've been training many experienced walkers have shared with me the wonders of this fantabulous little products called BodyGlide. It looks like a deodorant stick, but is actually this stuff that you put on your feet when you're running or walking long distances to prevent blisters, or can be used to prevent chaffing in other parts of your body (surfers use it under their wetsuits for this purpose).

Well, if it works when wearing sneakers, why not when wearing heels? I tell you, this stuff is AWESOME. Rub a bit on wherever your shoes may rub you the wrong way and you'll be set all night long, enjoying your beautiful and sexy new stilettos rather than suffering in agony because of them! I've tested it out several times, and I've been so happy with the difference it makes. Seriously, awesome.

You can find this BodyGlide at drugstore.com, REI, Sports Basement, or any other sports/running store out there. It's about $7 for a stick (REI has mini ones for less), and also comes in a formula with SPF 25.

Eyebrows

2006-12-28T16:48:00.000-08:00

As I am home for the holidays and am short on time, today I am reposting an oldie but a goodie. This entry was originally posted 6/7/06. Over six months later, I am still using both products and loving them every bit as much.

I've been battling my eyebrows for years. I began plucking at 18. My brows had always been... big. However, strange as it may be although they covered a large amount of space, there was actually little hair doing so. This has made shaping a buit tricky, and has made it necessary to use brow pencils or powder of some kind. I've been using a Revlon eyebrow powder kit for longer than I care to confess (it's only been recently that I started paying attention to those so-called make-up expiration dates), but have been wanting to find something new.

I recently got a gift card to Sephora and as I was browsing around in the store yesterday one of the lovely ladies who works there pointed me towards Stila's Brow Set. She recommended it highly, and helped me pick out the best color for me. I also picked up a Sephora Eyebrow Brush to go along with it.

I used my new brow powder and brush this morning for the first time, and immediately fell in love. It went on nicer and smoother and looked more natural than my old powder ever had! I don't know if it was the powder, the brush, a combination of both, or simply using something that was nice and new and fresh, but I'm loving it. I'm not in the habit of splurging on make-up like this (the brow powder was $16 and the brush was $9) but the brush will last me for quite some time and the powder for a good 2 years or so, so I'm satisfied. I have to say, the appeal of knowledgeable staff to help you out and being able to test the products before buying are starting to convert me to slightly pricier products over the drug store brands. Plus (such a frivolous thing) the packaging tends to be so much cuter.... =P

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream

2006-12-26T22:09:00.000-08:00

As someone who has suffered from dry, cracked hands every winter for the past, oh, as many years as I can remember, it seems I'm always on the look-out for great hand lotions. My most recent find is a good old-fashioned inexpensive drugstore find-- Neutrogena's Norwegian Formula Hand Cream! ($4.39 at drugstore.com)You only need a dab, and it immediately makes my hands feel soft and uber-moisturized (without feeling too greasy). And it's inexpensive enough that you can buy several tubes and keep them stocked anywhere you might need them. I unfortunately left mine in California, and I've been dying without it. I will definitely be hitting Target up tomorrow and grabbing some of this stuff.

There's also a new fast absorbing formula out, if the regular cream feels too greasy to you (it doesn't at all to me).

Apologies

2006-12-22T20:23:00.000-08:00

Hello dear readers, sorry for my lack of posting this week. I've been driving with my sister from California to Texas to spend the holidays with my family. I meant let y'all know ahead of time but forgot to post anything before leaving sunday morning. I've published a new post below, and will have some more coming next week.

Happy Holidays!

While You Were Sleeping...

2006-12-22T20:10:00.000-08:00

I'm always on the look-out for goo travel-size beauty products, as it seems I travel a lot. Knowing that I would be spending the holidays in Texas again this year, I was delighted when I saw Kohls selling 2-week sample supplies of Grassroots night and day face creams for $5.

I immediately fell in love with their night cream, While You Were Sleeping Overnight Moisture Cream($17). Though I think it's the scent that did it more than anything. Infused with Madagascan vanilla, I just love slathering this stuff on after washing my face at night! It has also left my face feeling soft and well-moisturized, without feeling oily in the morning. The cream version is for normal-to-dry skin, there is also a lotion formula available for normal-to-oily skin. Each of these, along with all other Grassroots products, are available at Kohl's stores and www.Kohls.com.

Perfume Sets at Target!

2006-12-14T16:31:00.000-08:00

Target has got some GREAT deals on perfume gift sets right now! For example, you can get a fabulojs deal on a Live by Jennifer Lopez 3-piece gift set that's much less than the price of the perfume bottle alone at Sephora. You can read more in my post at Target Culture.

American Beauty Super Plush 10-Hour Lipcolor

2006-12-13T17:20:00.000-08:00

On a trip to Kohl's recently, I got seduced by American Beauty's Super Plus 10-Hour Lipcolor ($16.50, now on sale for $14.85) in Blushing Rose (a deep-yet-bright rosy pink color that I've somehow come to associate with the holidays). I've been weary of long-wear products in the past as I've had bad experiences of them sucking my lips totaly dry, but lately I've been feeling annoyed by how quickly my normal lipstick or gloss rubs off (especially when I'm blowing my nose with any sort of frequency).

So I tried it. The verdict? Quite good, actually. I applied the color and as it dried 9the instructions say to give it 1 full minute) my lips started feeling a bit dry, but once I put the gloss on top they felt instantly better. The gloss is ok... not great, but not bad either. It actually lasted for several hours, which was impressive. But you can just as easily keep your favorite gloss or balm handy for re-moisturization rather than havw to carry the big lipstick-and-gloss combo here.

The color stayed true for a good 12 hours, with very limited flaking or looking wierd in any other way. By the end of the day I had to use eye makeup remover to get the color off, but it came off faily easily that way (which is nice-- I want something that sticks when I want it to, but comes off easily when I want it to).

So, yeah, I'm happy enough with this that I may go back and buy another color or 2. It's the long-lasting lipstick I've liked the most of the few that I've tried.

Lip Scrubs

2006-12-09T09:15:00.000-08:00

I've been hearing a lot lately about "lip scrubs" and "lip exfoliators" lately. I've used the bristles of my toothbrush in the past to help get rid of flaky dry skin on my lips, but that can be awkward and rough so I was actually considering buying one of these new lip products.

Then I was lying in bed this morning and thought "Wait a minute... can't I just make one myself?!?" Now, I'm not normally your DIY beauty product person. I'm not sure why, but I just don't get around to making my own concoctions of stuff. But this one seemed like it could be so easy. So I tried it out. Here's my "recipe":

Squeeze some of your favorite thick lip balm onto your finger (I used my Philosophy Kiss Me lip balm).
Sprinkle some sugar on top of your glob of lip balm.
Gently scrub your lips with the mixture.

It's that easy. Since you're using sugar, it even tastes nice if you get some into your mouth. Then, simply rinse off and- TaDa!!- you'll have gorgeous, soft, plump-looking lips.

Dear Katie Holmes/Kate Cruise/Whatever your name is these days,

2006-12-07T15:16:00.000-08:00

Katie, Katie, Katie... what's happened? You're young. You're adorable. Yes, you just had a baby, but you look FABULOUS for it.

So why do you insist on wearing clothing that makes you look like you're 80 years old?

You used to dress all sorts of cute, not that long ago. What's happened since then?

Both the outfits in the pictures here are from wedding-related events. The gold outfit on the right (I know you cant't see it all, but it's seriously something I'd expect my grandma to wear) was from the Rehearsal Dinner. The frumpy black top with polka-dot skirt on the left are from a recent post-wedding party back here in the States. Now, most brides would take care to look their best for their wedding, and the events surrounding it. You have all the time, money and resources in the world and THIS is what you come up with?

I can only assume one thing. This must be a Crazy Tom influence.

It makes me sad. It's a shame to have such a beautiful young woman go around looking this bad. Please, Katie. Wake up. Leave this insane Scientology wierdo. Come back to the real world.

Sincerely,
Everyone

Got Mom Jeans?

2006-12-05T15:48:00.000-08:00

Reverse Fit Jeans-- "High-quality denim. Sits just above the waist, full through the hip and thigh, tapered leg opening."
$39.50.

Get them now, at Gap.com!

Dear Lord, WHY????

Good Skin Megabalm Ultra Soothing Lip Treatment

2006-12-04T07:28:00.000-08:00

I LOVE this stuff. Good Skin's Megabalm Ultra Soothing Lip Treatment$9.50) is the BEST. It's so thick that it actually has staying power, and is so amazingly glossy so can be worn during the day as a gloss on its own. I usually slather some on each night, and it's definitely helped stave off dry-lips syndrome. All last week I was fighting a cold that rendered my nose useless as a breathing device. Normally the breathing through my mouth would leave me with dry, cracked, bleeding lips. But thanks to my awesome Megabalm, all I got was a bit of dryness.

Yes, it's a bit pricey for the small tube, but I swear it's worth it!

Set your TiVo's, ladies!

2006-12-01T16:51:00.000-08:00

I got this email today:

"Victoria’s Secret PINK makes its runway debut on CBS, December 5th at 10/9C. PINK models, including Jessica Stam, strut their stuff on the catwalk to the tunes of Justin Timberlake who delivers a breakthrough must-see performance. Sleeping bag shrugs, fitted varsity jackets and sexy boy-shorts rule the first-ever PINK section of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show*. This year’s show is being touted as Victoria’s Secret’s best to date, so PINK Girls – be sure to set your TIVOs for this can’t-miss event."

Several weeks ago when a friend of me dragged me into a Juicy store (WAY out of my price range) I finally realized that the VS Pink! collection is totally emulating Juicy Coutour. Well, it's cute, and much more affordable, so more power to them! ; ) I'm actually becoming quite a fan of the VS Pink! line. I really like my yellow sweat pants, and their thongs are the only kind I wear now.

PS- While you're at it, check out Victoria's Secret's Top 10 Beauty Gifts, all of which are on a special 25% off sale right now.

Dressing for the Holidays

2006-11-30T21:15:00.000-08:00

Head on over to Target Culture to read my post of hot holiday dresses at Target, and how to dress up an old dress with fun, new accessories.

SALE!

2006-11-28T21:44:00.000-08:00

Click THIS LINK and you'll get 20% your order at drugstore.com. Expires at midnight, wednesday Nov 29.

Maryam's Soap Nook

2006-11-28T18:42:00.000-08:00

I recently recieved a wonderful little goody bag from Maryam's Soap Nook. This is a brand of bath & body products that are all hand-made with natural ingredients, and infused with aromatherapy to entice the senses as well. Maryam's inspiration for this line of products was the birth of her daughter in 1999. Since then, she's been making her own hand-made bath and body products, and using only these on her daughter (nice story, isn't it? And you know the stuff's high quality if she's using it on her own kids)

Here's a quick review of a few of the products I recieved and have had a chance to play around with:

Whipped Shea Monoi Herbal Body Butter ($15/8oz)- This is a thick, luxurious body butter made up of shea butter, monoi de tahiti oil, cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, sunflower oil, goat milk, vitamin E, and silk fibers. It takes some getting used to at first-- the concoction felt grainy as I first scooped it out of the tub, but then I realized that the "grains" are little bits of shea butter that melt on contact with your skin. My skin felt incredibly soft and silky after slathering this body butter all over. I recieved the Lavender Rosemary scented butter, which smells nice (smells moisturizing, if that's possible) though it's a bit overpowering for me-- I used this lotion right before bed once and my sheets smelled like it for days. However there's many scents to choose from and even an unscented version.

Exfoliating Body Wash with Kukui Nut Oil & Jojoba Beads($10/8oz)- The kukui nut oil promises to heal, renew, and moisturize dry skin, while the jojoba beads exfoliate dead skin cells away. I first tried to use this body wash by pouring some into my shower pouf, but most of the mixture simply dissappeared into the pouf rather than going onto my skin. It's probably better to use it with your hands or a washcloth. The Pomegranite & Wild Berries scent smells incredibly refreshing. This wash also comes in a variety of other scents, as well.

Shea Butter & Dead Sea Salt Glow Scrub($15/8oz)- The claims: "Helps circulation and is a great way to invigorate and rejuvenate your skin. The deep pore cleansing and exfoliating effects will leave your skin feeling baby soft, and refreshed." I have to admit, I've been loving this trend of sugar and salt scrubs. I love feeling the exfoliating action of the sugar or salt beads, plus feeling the oils truly lubricate my skin to make it uber-moisturized. It feels like just what I need during these dreary, dry winter months. Although this body scrub and the above exfoliating wash in many ways are quite similar (exfoliation + oils to moisturize), I like the scrub better as it;s thicker and more substantial. Beware, however, as the oils in this scrub (and any other) will make your tub more slippery!

Bottom Line? I'm not sure if I'd seek out these products on my own as opposed to going with other brands where I can easily waltz into a store to pick them up. However, if you like having natural, hand-made products to use on your skin, then these are definitely a good thing for you.

Good Skin All-Calm Redness Tamer

2006-11-27T14:33:00.000-08:00

I don't know if it's winter dryness or what, but I've been noticing more redness and blotchiness on my face lately. As a result, I've been using Good Skin All-Calm Redness Tamer($15, now on sale for $13.50 at Kohls) almost every day. This is a product that I actually bought months ago, but noly really started using a lot lately.

It's a tube of green paste, with an applicator very similar to a sponge-tip lipgloss applicator. You dab a touch of the green stuff on your skin, wherever you happen to have a pimple or just some redness, and use your finger to pat the cream in, blending it in. Redness is gone, there's no obvious greenness, and skin looks fabulous. I've been using it a lot around my nose, and just above my eyebrows (I seem to have a red spot just above them, perhaps from plucking?).

If you need all-over face coverage for redness, this stuff may not be the best option. However if you have pimples or smaller red spots on your face that you want covered up, this All-Calm Redness Tamer works like a dream.

By the way, Kohls is currently offering a 10%-15% discount on all beauty items (online, not sure about in-store).

How NOT to Overeat on Thanksgiving

2006-11-22T08:11:00.000-08:00

We're all too familiar with the situation-- it's Thanksgiving Day. You haven't eaten much all day in anticipation fo the day's feast. You go to pile up your plate and, of course, want to try EVERYTHING. So you pile it on and, afterwards, end up feeling more stuffed than the turkey itself. Now you're left with not only indigestion, but the guilt of having consumed one too many servings of mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie.

So what do you do?

Well, here's a bit of advice. I know with me, often in situations like these the food will be so good that I just want to keep eating it-- even once I'm already full and am not enjoying the taste as much anymore. And that's the key to focus on-- the first few bites of your food are the ones that taste best, anyway. So go ahead and try a little bit of everything-- just make it only small portions. You only need a few bites of each of the various dishes available. This way you get to try and enjoy everything, but you keep your overall food intake to a reasonable level.

And, of course, you might actually have some room left to enjoy a slice of pumpkin pie, as well. ; )

By the way, I also suggest not worrying too much about fat content, or trying to use low-fat versions of your favorite Thanksgiving comfort foods. I'm a firm believer in allowing yourself to indulge in the good stuff (meaning things like REAL sugar) and simply limiting portion size to make up for it. Remember, Thanksgiving only comes around once a year anyway. If you induklge a bit more than usual, it's not the end of the world. You can always go for a run tomorrow.

Happy Turkey Day!

Clinique Color Surge Impossibly Glossy

2006-11-20T07:12:00.000-08:00

I was at Sephora the other day and noticed that some aisles had been moved around... and then I saw the new Clinique aisle! I was browsing around and spotted their lip glosses. Just as I was thinking to myself "Now there's NO WAY I need to be spending $14.50 on lip gloss" I went ahead and started trying out some of their Color Surge Impossibly Glossy glosses.

Oh. My. God.

They weren't kidding when they put "color surge" in the name. Usually colored glosses only look colored in the tube, and the color is sheer at best once on the lips. Not these guys. It seriously looks more like lipstick with a high gloss shine over it than regular lip gloss. And as for the "impossibly glossy" part? Yup, that's true too.

I instantly fell in love with Braisin, a deep brown color with some rosy undertones that just looked so fab with my complexion and brown hair. Of course, this happened to be the one color for which they had a tester but no actualy merchandise yet (how cruel!). So I went to the Clinique counter at Macy's, and was told that that one particular color was discontinued. WHAT?! Just when I discovered it?? They said that many recently discontinued Clinique items would be sold by Sephora (I guess untill they run out).

Feeling quite defeated, I went home and searched for my discontinued lip gloss color online. Turns out it's still being sold at Clinique.com, so I immediately bought it. The best part? I signed up to be in the Clinique Club (took about 2 minutes and was free) and got free shipping on my order. Woot! I think as soon as I get this gloss in the mail I'lk be wearing it, like, every day.

Do you want to be So...? Desirable

2006-11-16T07:36:00.000-08:00

A week or 2 ago I recieved a sample of So...? Desirable perfume spray. The accompanying note mentioned that this perfume supposedly smells just like Salvatore Ferragamo's Incanto Charms fragrance. Seeing as So...? Desirable retails at $15.25 (on sale at Kohl's!), and the Ferragamo scent is $55 for the equivalent 1.7 oz bottle, I figured this was something worth checking out. So I finally got my butt down to Sephora (I know, I can't figure out what took me so long, either) and brought home a sample of Ferragamo Incanto Charms. And ya know what? I honestly cannot tell the difference. They both have a funky, feminine, fruity/floral scent. Unfortunately I'm not s huge fan of what it smells like one it's mixed with my body chemistry (I seem to have this problem with most perfumes, though-- I'll love how it smells just out of the bottle, then something wierd happens when it's on me), but the scent itself is quite nice and surely would smell dreamy on many others.

Dear Readers,

2006-11-15T07:32:00.000-08:00

Man, I'm looking forward at the next few months, and realizing that I'm going to be super-busy. I love writing this blog, but it also at times feels like a chore when I have little time to devote to it. So I think I'm going to start posting less frequently.... maybe closer to 2-3 times a week, instead of 5.

If any of you would like to help contribute to this blog to fill in the other days, I'd love to have your help. Email me at mightymarce@gmail.com and we can figure stuff out.

Till then, y'all can look forward to the following upcoming posts:

Max Factor MAXwear Lip Color
So...? Desireable perfume
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisture Lotion

Purity Made Simple: Update

2006-11-14T08:04:00.000-08:00

Last week I gushed over how much I've been loving Philosophy's Purity Made Simple facial cleanser. However, I have something to add:

Do not take this bottle with you when travelling.

This past weekend I drove to Lake Tahoe with a bunch of my family. I took my 4oz bottle of Purity Made Simple with me. When we got there and I started unpacking all my toilettries, I found that a bunch of Purity Made Simple had leaked all over the bag. I gues it just got squished, or something with the altitude.... I don't know. However none of my other liquid toilettries leaked.

I probably wouldn't have thought much of it, expect I then remembered TheMakeupGirl having a similar experience several months ago.

This makes me sad, as this is the one facial cleanser I know of that takes off ALL makeup (including heavy eye makeup) easily, and I was so excited to finally have a good way to remove all my eye makeup from nights out when travelling without having to bring separate eyemakeup remover or deal with raccoon eyes. I think I'll have to find a new travel bottle to use, that won't leak. I don't know if the larger-sized bottles have this same problem. I'm just kinda dissappointed. Oh well. Again, I'll just find a different bottle to put it in for when I travel.

Dear Readers,

2006-11-10T07:24:00.000-08:00

I'm going to take a long weekend. It's been a busy week, there's just a lot going on right now, and I've got family in town, so I will take a break from posting for a few days. I should be back on tuesday. In the meantime, check out my links section and the Beauty Blog Network Blogroll to get your beauty fill. Thanks, y'all.

Sincerely,
Marcy

Go Urbn

2006-11-09T07:42:00.000-08:00

I did some jewelry shopping at Urban Outfitters recently. I couldn't find the necklace I bought online (it's silver, with a tiny heart locket and a shell dove hanging off it as small charms), but I got this ring($16), and I love it. I really adore Urban Outfitter's jewlery, especially a lot of their recent necklaces. It's all just so funky.

Boi-ing!

2006-11-08T07:30:00.000-08:00

To be honest, I've kinda been scared to try concealer. I've heard such horror stories about it caking and cracking and basically looking obvious (which kinda ruins the whole ffect of using it to begin with). So I've kinda stayed away for a while.

But then I started looking through Benefit catalogues and such, and I have such a hard time resisting their products.... So one day I went to Sephora and just tried a ton of their products (the staff there mujst've thought I was nuts, I kept running back and forth from the Benefit aisle to the mirrors to where they stashed the cotton balls and q-tips, etc). And when I tried Boi-ing($18), I was quite pleasantly surprised to notice a difference. A good one. And suddenly I just had to have it.

I got the middle shade (02) which is the one suggested for anyone who isn't super light- or dark-complected, and I've been gloriously happy with it. It has NEVER caked or creased or cracked on me. By the end of the day it usually looks the same as it did when I put it on that morning. Sometimes I use my fingers to dot it under my eyes, sometimes I use my concealer brush, the effect is mostly the same either way.

Basically.. this stuff is awesome. And it certainly was a lifesaver for me recently, when my girl friend and I went to Vegas for the weekend and I had to cover up the massive circles under my eyes from getting absolutely no sleep. ; )

PS- In case you need an excuse to buy Benefit products, they're currently giving away a free Color Plump pencil with any orders of $65 or more. Check out the website for more details!

Pure and Simple

2006-11-07T07:07:00.000-08:00

I've traditionally been a drugstore face wash girl. I just couldn't really justify spending big bucks on fancy face wash, since my skin is, overall, pretty normal. But a few weeks ago I noticed that I kept finding myself feeling irritated by red splotches on my face, or dry/oily spots, etc. So, on a whim, I decided to splurge and brought home a small bottle of Philosophy Purity Made Simple($10-$32).

I'd heard great claims about this product. I liked the idea of it being an all-in-one cleanser, eliminating the need for seprate makeup removers or toners. I also feel an affinity towards Philosophy's stuff, since their products and packaging are just so damn cute! lol

Anyway, so I started using Purity Made Simple to wash my face with. At first I noticed that I got some funny bumps on my face (very small and colorless, so only I could tell they were there when I felt my face). I'm not sure if this was caused by the new facewash, or by the new lotion I was using, or what. I switched to an old face wash for a few days, and then gave Purity Made Simple another try. I have been a very satisfied customer since. My skin feels sooo soft and smooth. If I forget to put lotion on right after washing, my face doesn't feel all tight and dry like with other cleansers. And it takes off makeup like a dream!! Many times after a night out, I'd use eye makup remover and then wash my face, and I'd still end up with black smudges under my eyes from leftover liner and mascara. Purity Made Simple takes it ALL off, no issues.

I have to say, I'm kinda perplexed by Philosphy. They make such yummy smelling 3-in-1 washes and lip glosses, etc, yet their skin care products all have kinda funky smells. Purity Made Simple isn't too bad, but I couldn't get past the "scent" of their Hope in a Jar moisturizer (as much as I loved the way it made my skin look and feel). I also have their Kiss Me Red lip balm, and I've gotten used to it now but it also smells funky. I guess they're trying to be unique? I don't know. I've read others complain about this, too, so maybe if we all compalin together Philosophy will take notice and change this?

2006-11-06T07:50:00.000-08:00

Sorry about not posting on friday, everyone. I went out of town and forgot to post early. To make up for it, we've got double posts today. Enjoy!

Marcy

MAXimize Your Eyes, Pt 2

2006-11-06T07:46:00.000-08:00

Let's talk some more about the beauty bounty The Makeup Fairy sent me last week. ; )

Max Factor Lash Perfection mascara($6.89 at drugstore.com) The first thing I noticed about this mascara is that it has the same funky, new wand as Cover Girl's Lash Exact mascara (seems other brands are already jumping on the bandwagon! Interestingly, even the tube shape and style looks similar to the Cover Girl mascara...). As you readers know, I loved Cover Girl's mascara and quirky new wand, so I had an inkling already that I was going to like this mascara, as well.

I tried it out, and basically had the same results as with Cover Girl Lash Exact-- long, beautiful, full lashes with no clumps. They are the same price, too, so I'm not sure if there's really an advantage to one over the other. However I did buy Cover Girl Lash Exact in Black Brown, and my Max Factor Lash Perfection came in Black, so now I have one for daytime and one for nighttime. =P

I also got Max Factor MAXeye Liner in 100 Night Club ($5.89 at drugstore.com). It's one of those autmatic liners that don't need to be sharpened (you just twist up from the bottom), which is nice and easy. I find that kind often glides on better than regular pencil liners (at least when talking about drugstore makeup). Sure enough, when I tried it the liner went on smoothly and evenly, allowing me to make a fine line for daytime wear. Once applied, it is also fairly budge-proof.

Next up: The last item I need to write about is Max Factor's MAXwear Lip Color. Stay tuned for that review!

Cirque de Beaute' at Sephora!

2006-11-06T07:21:00.000-08:00

Beauty gift sets galore! Whether you're shopping for yourself, or getting an early start on your holiday gift list, you're bound to find beauty sets to please! So head on over to Sephora.com to check out The Greastest Gift Show on Earth! Let's see, I can already think of one friend who'd greatly enjoy the LipFusion Perfect Pout set ($39), and Philosophy's The Holiday House ($35) has already made it onto my Amazon.com Wishlist. Or how aboput Nars Multiple Orgasm ($49)? ; ) Oooh! And how about Stila The Gift of Glaze($28)! I've been wanting to get my hands on one of their Lip Glazes for a while now!

My goodness.... It's too much! Anyway, get your booties over there now to check out all these goodies!

MAXimize Your Eyes

2006-11-02T07:11:00.000-08:00

I recently recieved a gift package from The Makeup Fairy full of samples of some of Max Factor's latest and greatest beauty items. Wheeee! I will be gracing all of you with reviews of each of the products I got to try. Today, we'll be taking a look at Max Factor MAXeye Shadow ($4.69 at drugstore.com). The shadows I got are Baja Bronze (yellow, with light and darker brown shadows along with it) and Smooth Sailing (a trio of blues). The colors can look a bit intimidating in the compact (especially the blues) but they are SUPER sheer when applied. As in, the lighter color in each of the trios can be barely-there-subtle. I haven't tried applying the shadows wet, I'm sure you'd get stronger color that way. But I'm quite happy with each of these sets. I like playing around with blues eyeshadow when I'm wearing something blue, and I love the yellow in Baja Bronze, especially when I use one of the brown shades for contour. And, scrolling through the other shades available, I'm quite drawn to a few of them (like Vintage Vixen and Compass Rose) and so may be adding to my Max Factor eyeshadow collection soon.

New Labels

2006-11-01T08:28:00.000-08:00

Hello Readers! I just wanted to let y'all know that I'm tweaking the Labels section a bit. I'm working on categorizing posts by brand name, as well as type of makeup, etc. I've already sorted through some of them, but haven't added all the brands yet. Hopefully this will be helpful to some of you if/when you're looking for posts about a particular product.

Marcy

I know it's november already, but....

2006-11-01T07:28:00.000-08:00

Breast Cancer Awareness Month may have just ended, but I wanted to link one last great post about it today. Beauty Chick over at Beauty Hatchery has some great tips for helping out the Breast Cancer cause, as well as links to places where you can find awesome products that help support Breast Cancer research.

I will heed a small warning-- I just read an article recently about how so many products claim to support the fight against breast cancer but often don't really do much. So it's worth it to do your homework sometimes. If the product you're thinking of buying is something you'd get anyway, then go for it. But if you're buying it in the name of "helping the cause" try to check up on how much of the funds actually go towards research, and what foundations it supports. It may be more worthwhile for you to make a direct donation to The Breast Cancer Foundation, Susan G Komen, or the Avon Foundation (just a few examples).

MeltProof Makeup, Pt 3

2006-10-31T07:52:00.000-08:00

This is the third and final installment of my MeltProof Makeup series! After this, I should hear no more complaints about makeup fading mid-day. ; ) Let's get to it, shall we?

Ok, so once you've got a good base for your makeup, and applied beauty products that have substantial staying power, you've done most of the work. All that's left now is to find a little something to "set" the look, keep it fresh and vivid all day long. This is the job of a good face powder. Loose or pressed, it's your choice-- I have always preferred pressed as it's more compact and easier to tote around, but I think it all comes down to personal preference. Once your makeup has been applied, a dusting of powder will take care of nay leftover shine, and help set your makeup so it won't budge. My current fave is Neutrogena Healthy Skin Blends Transluscent Oil Control Powder ($10.99 at drugstore.com). Many people also swear by Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil ($19).

While perusing the latest Benefit catalogue I came accross an interesting beauty tool- She Laq ($28), a liquid "sealant" that can be brushed over eyes or lips after makeup aspplication to seal in your makeup and keep it in place. It comes with a nifty brush set so you can easily apply the stuff over your eyeliner, shadow, mascara, or lipcolor. I have not tried this stuff and am not sure what to think of it-- I'd love to hear reviews from any of you who may have tried it.

Well, ladies, that's all I've got. I hope this post series has been helpful to some of you. As always, let me know if you've got extra tips for us! Other than that.... have a safe and happy halloween, everyone. =)

Meltproof Makeup, Pt 2

2006-10-30T07:00:00.000-08:00

We've already taken a look at how to prep your skin in order to help your makeup stay put longer. Now let's take a look at the kinds of makeup items themselves that have great staying power.

Eyes

Let's start with the eyes. I find that a cream-to-powder eyeshadow formula tends to have better staying power than regular powder shadows. I don't have particular recommendations for this category, so I invite you to leave yours as comments! I know Revlon also has a line of Colorstay eyeshadows that may be worth a try.

For eyeliners, liquid or gel liners are almost completely budge-proof. I have yet to master the art of liquid liner application, but adore MAC Fluidline ($14.50) and Bobbi Brown Long Wearing Gel Liner ($18). Depending on the kind of brush (and color) you use to apply, you can make the line thick and dramatic, or fine and subtle.

Cheeks

I've heard claims that powder blush stays better than cream, and vice versa, so this is a bit more trial and error (and may have more to do with the texture and oiliness of your skin). But if you really want flushed cheeks that last, your best bet by far is a stain. Benetint($28) by Benefit is amazing. Another good choice that's a bit mor economical is Sonia Kashuk's Lip and Cheek Tint($7.99 at Target stores). Be careful when using either of these, they're called stains for a reason. Also, be sure to start out with just a little bit (a dot or 2 on the apples of the cheeks) and blend quickly. You can always add more color if you want a deeper flush.

Lips

If you want subtle color that lasts, dab a bit of Benetint (or any other stain) onto your lips. This will be more of a rosy look. But if what you crave is true color that stays put all day long, your best bet is a long-wearing lipstick such as Cover Girl Outlast Double LipShine ($8) or American Beauty Super Plus 10-Hour Lipcolor ($16.50, though currently on sale for $13.20). These can be a bit drying on the lips, so keep the accompanying gloss (or your favorite gloss or balm) on hand for touch-ups. It may also help to put on some lip balm about 5-10 minutes before you apply the lip color.

To help your regular lipstick stay on better, find a lipliner that either matches your lipstick or your natural lip color and fill in your lips entirely with it. This will give your lipstick a little something to cling to. Then apply lipstick with a lip brush. Go for thin coatings of lipstick, and more of them, rather than slathering on a thicker coat. I've been impressed by Revlon ColorStay Soft & Smooth Lipcolor (approx $8 or $9 at drugstores) and MAC lipstick($14).

MeltProof Makeup, Pt 1

2006-10-27T07:22:00.000-07:00

Discom asked how to keep makeup from fading. In typing an answer, I realized it was going to be a long one, so.... she has inspired what will be a 3-part post on how to keep your makeup from melting by mid-day. Today we will take a look at prepping your face for makeup by using primer and foundation. Part 2 will look into long-wearing makeup products, and finally part 3 will be about powders and other products meant to keep makeup in place once it has been applied.

So, let's get on with it!

First off: Primer. This is a new concept to me, and still seems a relatively new idea in the makeup world (or, well, it was only recently that I started hearing about it). Primers are meant to smooth out your face, filling in any lines and wrinkles, so as to create a smooth working surface for your foundation and other makeup. They help absorb oil, to help keep your skin matte and shine-free (oil is often a culprit in makeup melt-down, as it's harder to make makeup stay on a slippery surface). Many primers also have vitamins in them to help keep your skin healthy and happy. I have already blogged about my experience with Philosophy's The Present clear makeup ($25), but I'm definitely curious about trying other brands as well and seeing how they work. I've heard wonders about Benefit's Dr. Feelgood ($26), and Smashbox's Photo Finish Color Correcting Face Primers ($38) look very intriguing.

Second: Foundation. A good foundation will even out your complexion, hide imperfections, but still keep your skin looking "real." It will also provide a great base for your makeup, to help keep it in place. Put a bit of foundation directly onto your eyelids or lips before applying lipstick or eyeshadow to give them a bit more lasting power. Foundations come in liquid, cream, and powder formulas. It's best to go to Sephora or your favorite department store makeup counter for your foundation-- you need to be able to talk to someone about what kind of formula is best for you, what kind of coverage you want, and, most importantly, be able to test the colors to find the one that best matches your skintone. A popular pick is BareEscentuals bareMinerals Powder Foundation ($25, though I strongly suggest getting the Get Started Kit for $60), and Benefit's Some Kind-A Gorgeous ($26) is supposed to be amazing.

That's what I've got. If any of you have suggestions about certain products or experiences to share, please feel free to leave comments with them! And stay tuned for next week, when I'll be posting parts 2 and 3 of my Meltproof Makeup Series. ; )

Wishlist: MAC Holiday Collections

2006-10-26T07:06:00.000-07:00

After reading TheMakeupGirl's review of MAC's new holiday gift sets, I think I just may have to run out and get some! I think my favorites are the Lip Kits (in fringe, pleat, beaded, and ruffle). Two lipsticks and a lipglass and a cool clutch for $32?? How do you say no to that?

There's also a Viva Glam lip palette ($32) with all 6 Viva Glam colors in it. I actually remember hearing about this when they had it last year but when I tried to buy it they had already sold out. Perhaps I will make another try at getting my hands on it this year.

Boy, my makeup tastes have been expanding onto more expensive territory, and my wallet ain't gonna be very happy with me...

Wishlist: Holiday Gift Sets!

2006-10-25T07:15:00.000-07:00

Ok, so as I was looking through the Sephora website for yesterday's post, I stumbled upon all sorts of new, incredibly yummy-sounding goodies that Philosophy is offering as Holiday Gift sets. And... I want them all!!!

Let's see, first there's The Ski House ($35), which includes a 4 oz Double Rich Hot Cocoa ultra rich, award-winning 3-in-1 shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath, a 2 oz Marshmallow Body Souffle, and a .5 oz Kiss Me Pink peppermint lip balm. I mean, my god, who doesn't want that? If I had Hot Cocoa body wash and marshmallow lotion, I don't know if I'd ever leave the bathroom. Ever.

Then there's Holiday Rescue ($25), complete with an 8 oz 3-in-1 shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath, plus a 3.5 oz Exfoliating Hot Salt Scrub. Another reason not to ever leave your shower.

And let's not forget some of the men that can make the holidays so sweet... Like The Ice-Cream Man, The Milk Man, and The Gingerbread Man. Each kit contains an 8 oz 3-in-1 shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath, a 2 oz Pampering Shimmer Body Souffle, and a .5 oz. Delicious High-Gloss Lip Shine, for $38. If you're not a one-man kind of wioman, there's always A Few Good Men ($25), a lipgloss trio including one lip gloss in each of the scents above.

I've already added a few of these to my Amazon.com wishlist, and am considering getting them as gifts for friends and family. They just look too cute (and sound way too yummy) to pass up!

No Time Like The Present

2006-10-24T07:37:00.000-07:00

I've been hearing a lot about makeup primers lately-- they're supposed to help mattify the skin, and keep your makeup from fading throughout the day. I wasn't quite sure how much to believe these claims. But then a couple weeks ago I couldn't resist and wound up bringing home Philosophy's The SchoolBook kit($35), and when I tried The Present clear makeup ($25 on its own)... I was amazed.

I actually didn't even take note of the difference at first, which, looking back, is amazing in itself. It was only later in the afternoon that I noticed that my normally shiny forehead was not shiny at all. The next morning I used The Present again, and after waiting the 2 minutes to let it sink in I looked at my face and, sure enough, the shinyness that had been there, that was normally there, was completely gone. I was left with beautifully matte skin, that lasted all day long. I didn't even need any powder at all, as there was no shine to try to cover up with it.

This is my first foray into the world of makeup primers, and I'm curious as to what other brands are like. But Philosophy definitely has me very impressed so far!

Psssssst!

2006-10-23T07:22:00.000-07:00

I read about Psssssst Instant Spray Shampoo ($5.49) in InStyle over the summer-- supposedly Ken Paves uses this on Jessica Simpson's hair to get extra volume out of it. I've been on a quest for a dry shampoo for a while, yet was unwilling to shell out the big bucks for Bumble & Bumble's version (especially after reading mixed reviews online). So you bet my ears perked up a bit at hearing about this supposed wonder-product that cost a mere $5 bucks!

Before trying it, I did some research online... and I found several reviews that complained that, while this product was pretty amazing, the bottle seemed to be faulty and most of the product would leak out after the first use. Eventually, I decided to try it out anyway. And, well, my experience pretty much echoed the reviews I read at the time-- it worked great at de-greasing my roots, but the 2nd time I tried to use it hardly anything came out at all.

However, tonight as I was looking for a link I found some newer reviews on drugstore.com from the past couple months and they claimed that their bottle last through several uses, so I'm tempted to go buy another bottle and try it out again. I think I can spare another $5 on the hope that they'll have fixed the leakage problem.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

2006-10-20T07:03:00.000-07:00

I've been noticing some very cute coats and jackets lately, especially over at Old Navy (one of my favorite stores). And as it turns out, they're having a sale on their jackets already! So go check out some of their winter goodies here. My two favorites are the Women's Cropped belted Trench Coats ($58, left) and the Long Belted Trench Coats ($68).

Target also seems to have some really great coast online, for even better prices! I like the Mossimo® Black: Wool-Blend Coat with Portrait Collar ($49.99, right)-- get it in basic black, charcoal, or khaki, or for a fun kick go with Venetian Red! I'm also loving the Wool-Blend Tailored Pea Coat, though unfortunately at $99.99 the price isn't quite so cute.

For some more warm-and-fuzzy outerwear options (such as the Emma Coat, $78) head over to Delias.com, or for some edgier, funkier options (such as this Faux-Leather Military Jacket, $48) check out Kohl's (stores probably have a better selection than the website).

Cover Girl Lash Exact Mascara

2006-10-19T07:36:00.000-07:00

I've been hearing so much about this amazing new mascara (and brush) by Cover Girl-- the brush is apparently made from a different type of plastic and desgined so that it's virtually impossible to get clumps on your lashes. Really?? hmmm. A quick google search found many raves, but also a few angry rants about this product. Well, there's noyl one way to find out whether this beauty breakthrough really is as fantastic as everyone claims it is!

The verdict? I'm in love! My lashes looks long and luscious (my sister has commented on my mile-long lashes each time I've used it). I have gotten a couple teensy clumps, but nothing like with most thick, lenthening mascaras. I kept staring at my lashes all day long yesterday, amazed at how long and natural they looked. And I haven't had any flaking or eye irritation, which has been a problem with other mascaras. This may replace my trusty Neutrogena Lash Tint as my daily mascara... (and that says a lot).

Cover Girl Lash Exact is available at drugstore.com for $6.89. I'm telling you, gals... this stuff is worth trying.

Benetint and BadGal Lash and Dandelion... Oh My!

2006-10-18T07:17:00.000-07:00

I was at Sephora yesterday (bad Marcy! You know only bad things, and spending too much money, come of this!) and found this adorable and awesome gift set of The Best of Benefit. You get Dandelion (a "ballerina-pink facial luminizer", $26), Benetint (a rose cheek and lip stain, $28), and BadGal Lash mascara ($19), ALL in an adorable little keepsake box. This is a $73 value, folks, for (wait for it) all of $42!!! (Also available at www.BenefitCosmetics.com)

How was I expected to resist this?? ; )

Ok, so I had already been contemplating buying Dandelion, and I bought Benefit's PocketPal a while back so I know of the wonders of Benetint (and am starting to run out, by the way) so this really was a great value.

I used Dandelion today, as part of a neutral and light pink makeup day, and I have to say it is quite nice. Gives a very soft hint of pinkness. On those with medium to darker complexions it might be too light to show up well as a blush, but it might still work well as an all-over face powder, lending that hint of a pink glow that warms up your whole face. I think I'm much more likely to use Dandelion as an all-over face powder (as opposed to Dallas, which I use more strictly as a blush since I don't think the color is that great for a full-on bronzer. BTW check out the incredibly adorable limited-edition Dallas makeup palette! $28).

I must admit, I'm almost a bit scared of trying the BadGal mascara. That wand is huge! lol It's definitely a mascara for big nights out on the town. But my best gal friend and I are going to Vegas for a long weekend in November, so I will definitely be putting it to good use then!

Perceptions

2006-10-17T08:33:00.000-07:00

Oh my gosh... I saw this over at The Beauty Brains, and it's amazing. I've seen before/after pics of celebrities once or twice from photo shoots, but it's still amazing, espceially the part where they photoshopped her. It's like models can't even say it's their own face or body anymore. This video was made by Dove as part of their Campaign for Real Beauty, which I am a HUGE fan of. Yay Dove!

(YouTube link)

Revlon Colorstay Soft & Smooth Lipcolor

2006-10-17T07:51:00.000-07:00

With my affinity for Revlon lip products, I have to say I was a bit curious about this new set of Revlon Colorstay lipsticks that hit the market recently. So I broke down last week and bought Revlon Colorstay Soft & Smooth (non-sheer, in the black tube) in Mocha Silk at Target. I apologize that I do not have a price to go along with it, I can't remember exactly what it was and all I could find online was a walgreens website that claims it was $9, but i swear it was cheaper than that at Target... but anyway.

When I applied the lipstick, I noticed that it was indeed quite smooth and soft and creamy. I liked it. The color is a nice soft brown, great for fall. I was also quite pleased at how well it stayed on. The color wasn't quite as true or strong as with other long-wearing lipsticks (generally the kind with the gloss to go along with them), but I had a nice subtle color to my lips all day long, and my lips never felt dry or uncomfortable at all. I found an article online explaining the new SoftFlex™ Comfort technology behind this marvelous little lipstick, which is what allows it to stay on but feel comfortable as it does so.

Bottom line, I think I'll be investing in some more of these little lipsticks.

Lend Me a Hand

2006-10-16T07:21:00.000-07:00

My hands always get dry and chapped every winter. I mean, they get bad-- to the point that putting lotion on stings. It must be a combination of the cold weather, heaters, and washing my hands every 10 minutes at work every day. Thus every winter I'm faced with the struggle to find a hand lotion that could work small miracles for me, but usually to no avail-- I still end up with chapped, cracked hands.

Last year I made a startling discovery though-- Hemp Hand Protector ($6 for 1.25oz) from The Body Shop. When I spread some of the tester onto my chapped hands, I felt immediate relief, that lasted. I used it constantly after that, though by then temperatures were already rising again and I was needing it less and less.

Well, as of this month I started noticing my hands feeling dryer again. I tried to put hand lotion on after each time I washed my hands at work (Bath & Body Works Hand Repair Healing Hand Cream, $12 or buy 3 get 1 free) which helped, but couldn't do enough. Then I re-discovered my Hemp lotion, and started using it every night before I went to bed-- and immediately I noticed a difference in my hands. Now I hardly even need to use lotion during the day, even after washing my hands so often. I'm amazed, to say the least. Now, this hand lotion can feel a bit greasy after I put it on, but that's why it's perfect for beditme-- I let it sink in overnight, and I get to enjoy soft, happy hands all day long!

Hemp Hand Protector, you are my savior.

Discount Retailers Setting Up Shop in NY!

2006-10-13T08:01:00.000-07:00

Hey gals, check out this article-- great news for frugal fashionistas! =)

(Thanks, Sales Rack Raider)

CoverGirl Outlast Double LipShine

2006-10-13T07:36:00.000-07:00

A girlfriend of mine recommended I try CoverGirl's new Outlast Double LipShine ($8 at drugstore.com). Always up for a new beauty item to play with, I soon ran out to Target to buy me one. I have to say, I wasn't immediately impressed with the ad campaign-- the signs in the store advertised this lipstick as lasting "5x longer than the leading lipgloss!" Which made me wonder "what does that even mean??" We all know lipgloss, as fabulous as it is, isn't know for its staying power.

Alas, I wanted to follow up on the recommendation and bought it anyway (in Rose Quartz, a fun. somewhat bold pink color). I tried it the next day, and, well.... I'm not sure it'll be come a favorite. Yes, it did stay on all day long, and didn't rub off onto anything. I mean, this stuff stayed put!

However, it also made my lips feel dry. When I put it on, as soon as the color dried I felt it on my lips-- that feeling of something kinda thick on them, making them feel dry and parched. Even with the gloss applied on top I could feel the drynes underneath (I don't know if that makes sense, but yeah). All afternoon I had perfectly pink lips, but really I was itching to get home and take the stuff off. Maybe I've gotten too used to just wearing light lipgloss, I just didn't like the feel of this long-wearing product on my lips.

So, if you're looking for something that will stay put all night long no matter what, try CoverGirl Outlast Double LipShine. But if you're a girl who prefers having soft, free lips and don't mind reapplying every so often, find yourself something else.

PS- Hop on over to Lipstick, Powder 'N Paint to check out what's in my beauty bag (scroll through past entried from this week to uncover the beauty secrets of other blogging fashionistas)! And have a great Friday 13th, y'all. ; )

Revlon Super Lustrous Goodies

2006-10-12T07:10:00.000-07:00

I've been a fan of Revlon's Super Lustrous Lipstick ($7.99 at drugstore.com) for ages. I've had at least a couple tubes of it in my makeup bag ever since I started accumulating makeup (my current faves are Smoky Violet and Plum Baby). It's smooth, creamy, has beautiful colors to choose from, and has great staying power. What's not to love?

So really, it should be no real surprise that when I finally got around to trying their Super Lustrous Lipgloss ($6.19 at drugstore.com), I fell in love with it, too! I'm not sure why I hesitated for so long... maybe because of my ability to immediately become incredibly undecisive when faced with several color choices when trying a new product? I don't know. Anyway, I finally bought it (in Shine City), and I love it! Very light and non-sticky. I think this may be my new favorite lipgloss. I've been considering going out and buying another tube, just so I can keep one with my makeup at home and one in my purse. Which, at $6, won't break the bank... something I always appreciate in makeup! ; )

Back to Basics

2006-10-11T07:41:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the most brilliant beauty solutions are the simplest ones. I have to send a bit Thank You! to The Beauty Brains for reminding me of what a useful little product good ole petroleum jelly can be, and pointing me over to this site full of pointers for how to use it. Such as....

Moisturize your lips and more--If you don't want to pay a lot for expensive lip balm, makeup remover, or even facial moisturizer, then your answer is a tube of petroleum jelly. It can soothe lips, take off foundation, eye shadow, mascara, and more. It will even act as a moisturizer on your face. (I've also heard it can be great as a conditioner for your eyelashes).

Lengthen the life of perfume--You've picked out a great scent to wear on your night out, but it's got to last. Worry not. Dab a bit of petroleum jelly on your pulse points. Then spray on the perfume. Now you can dance the night away and not worry about your perfume turning in early.

Soften chapped hands--If you're constantly applying hand lotion to your tired, chapped hands, but then taking it off again so you can get more work done, try this tip. Apply a liberal amount of petroleum jelly to your hands just before you go to bed. By morning, they'll be soft and smooth.

No more messy manicures--During home manicures, it's hard to keep the nail polish from running over on your cuticles. Petroleum jelly can help your manicures look more professional. Dab some along the base of your nails and the sides. If polish seeps off the nail during the manicure, all you do is wipe off the petroleum jelly and the sloppy nail polish is gone.

Smooth wild eyebrow hairs--If you have runaway eyebrows -- the ones where the hairs won't lie flat but curl up instead, control the wildness with some petroleum jelly. Rub a dab into your brows. They'll calm down and behave.

Stop hair dye runs--There's nothing more embarrassing than a home hair color job gone awry. Imagine finishing applying that new auburn shade to your tresses when you notice that you've dyed your hairline and part of your forehead too. Next time, run a bit of petroleum jelly across your hairline. If dye seeps off your hair, the petroleum jelly will catch it.

Heal windburned skin--You've just had a glorious hike through the countryside in autumn. And as much as you enjoyed the changing colors of the season, the hike has left you with an unpleasant souvenir: windburn. Grab a jar of petroleum jelly and apply it liberally to your face or wherever you've been chapped. The jelly helps relieve the pain.

Click here to see even more uses.

I actually feel silly realizing that I don't have any Vaseline in my home at the moment, but I think I'll have to go out and buy a tub of it.

Neutrogena Mineral Sheers for Eyes

2006-10-10T07:22:00.000-07:00

Several weeks ago I bought Neutrogena Mineral Sheers for Eyes in Shell ($7.99). I swear, I have used it almost every day since then! I LOVE the lighter color of the duo, I apply it to my lips and they instantly looks perked up, more awake, yet it's natural enough that it could potentially pass as no makeup at all. Last week I went ahead and bought another Mineral Sheers eyeshadow, in Stone (a purpleish duo) and have been very pleased with it, as well.

The colors are true to their name-- they are very sheer. But it's kinda nice that way, they just give a nice, light wash of color. And the staying power is pretty decent-- I put my makeup on at 8am and it's still there by mid-afternoon, and later.

I'm also partial to the packaging, with the slide-out cover. It's quite cute. ; )

Neutrogena Body Clear Body Scrub

2006-10-09T07:36:00.000-07:00

There was a time when I had little faith in Neutrogena products. Since then, I have been proven wrong many times, and am now a Neutrogena convert. I love their sunscreen, their powder, their mascara, etc etc etc. So it was with high hopes that I bought their Body Clear Body Scrub($5.99 at drugstore.com).

I was pretty happy with this scrub at first. It smelled nice, it felt nice and thick, it gave a satisfyingly clean feeling. But aftr a few uses I noticed that it was harder and harder to get the scrub to squeeze out of the bottle.

Turns out that when they designed this bottle, they gave this thick scrub a teeny tiny little hole to come out of at the top! Which means that it gets easily plugged up, and is hard to squeeze out after a while. I had to unscrew the cap and rinse it out in water for a few minutes to clear it back out.

As a result, I find I don't use this scrub very often. It's a fine product, but someone really needs to re-engineer the cap so that the opening is a bit wider and the product doesn't become all gummed up (ya hear that, Neutrogena?).

BTW, Ellen over at Lipstick, Powder 'N Paint will be doing special posts all week long looking at what products different beauty bloggers have in their makeup bags. I am quite honored to be one such beauty blogger. =) So be sure to head on over to her site and check out what I and other beauty bloggers use as our favorite products!

Make-Up Remover on the Go

2006-10-06T07:01:00.000-07:00

This is brilliant!!

Every time I travel I debate whether I should throw my eye-makeup remover in with my toiletries, but I usually decide not to-- the bottle is bulky, I have nothing else to put just a few day's worth of the solution in, etc. So I figure I'll just have to make my face wash do double duty for the weekend (or however long I'm travelling). Which usually means that I end up with hard-to-remove mascara smudges under my eyes the morning after a big night.

Well, now I'm gonna have to get my hands on these travel makeup remover wipes ($4.50- $5 at VictoriasSecret.com) from Brittish company girl2go! They come in 2 different packs, containing 10 and 15 wipes each, and are said to "deep clean at the same time they soothe and repair skin with lavender and allantoin, a healing, moisturizing agent, which stimulates healthy tissue formation."

Sounds pretty sweet, huh? Perfect for tossing in my travel bag, and I'll finally be able to wear heavy makeup while travelling without having to worry about fighting raccoon eyes the next morning!

Think Pink!

2006-10-05T07:15:00.000-07:00

Here's a couple more links to products and items that will not only beautify you, but help fight breast cancer!

Lipstick, Powder 'N Paint has a post on Bare Escentuals' limited edition Pink Passion Rose Radiance Collection. All profits go to the Nation Breast Cancer Foundation.

Check out Red Envelope's Think Pink collection of items. Ten percent of the proceeds will go to the Entertainment Industry Foundation's Womens Cancer Research Fund. Here's the link to the pink bracelet pictured at left.

Happy shopping! =)

Fit to a T

2006-10-04T07:36:00.000-07:00

Every fall/winter, I always feel like my winter wardrobe is lacking. A big factor in this is that I have a very hard time finding long-sleeve tops that I like-- either the fit is bulky, the sleeves are too short, the lnegth is too short, etc etc etc.

Well, I think I've found my perfect fit this year. And where else would I have found it other than at Target? =P

I was shopping there the other day and happened upon a stand full of their Mossimo Black long-sleeve t-shirts, both crew-neck and V-neck styles, $9.99 each. The shirts aren't *quite* as fitted as I'd like them to be, but otherwise they're nearly perfect-- the material is soft, the sleeves are nice and long the way I like them, the hemline comes down far enough to cover the waist nicely, and each style comes in several different colors, from plain ole white and black to royal blue or plum. I've already stocked up on a few, and they'll be very much a part of my basic winter wardobe for this year!

While you're shopping for your long-sleeve T's at Target, also keep an eye out for their Mossimo Black Ultra-Soft sweaters, also available in crew neck and V-neck styles, for $17.99. I fell in love with those, too!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2006-10-03T07:57:00.000-07:00

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Lots of beauty brands, big and small, have been launching special editions of their products to help fund Breast Cancer research. I was going to put together a post full of such products that I've come accorss, but then found that other blogs have already done so-- and possibly done a much better job than I could! So here are links to some great posts highlighting products that support breast cancer research.

Lipstick, Powder 'N Paint

Beautiful Makeup Search (this looks like it'll be an ongoing series of posts, so be sure to check back over the course of the month)

The Product Girl

If I find others along the way, or if I spot products that aren't already spotlighted in any of the above, I'll be sure to mention them here. Shop to your hearts' contents, gals, it's all for a good cause!

VS Very Sexy Makeup

2006-10-02T07:44:00.000-07:00

Victoria's Secret recently launched its own makeup line, Very Sexy. I had a $10 off coupon I recieved for my birthday recently, so I went to my local Victoria's Secret Beauty store and checked some of their new products out.

I have a mosaic eye shadow kit that I bought from VS before they had their own official makeup line, and I adore it. So I was curious about some of their new mosaic compacts-- they have eye shadow, bronzer, and blush (left) powder mosaics, plus mosaic lip palettes ($18 each). If you like playing with blush, you may really like these-- they had a good variety of different shades in their mosaics that looked very fun. I liked the shadows-- they go on surprisingly sheer, and the colors are very pretty.

I also spent a good bit of time looking at their eye shadows ($12), and was very temped to buy Blindfold (a pale lilac) and No Strings (a darker, shimmery purple). They would have gone great worn with their sparkling eyeliner ($10) in lilac flash. I actually was very tempted by these eyeliners, they would be so fun to wear for a night out on the town!

The loose shimmer powder ($18) looked cool, too, but it didn't seem to come with a built-in applicator meaning I'd have to buy a separate brush for it. For $18 I'd rather it be a complete package. I also liked the gel eyeliner duos ($12, right), gel liner is such a great way to achieve a dramatic look that's much easier to use than liquid liner.

As for lips, they had a fun selection of lip gloss($12) and lip lacquer($12, left). I liked the lacquers, particularly Crush and Get Lucky, though these also did not come with any sort of applicator so you'd have to use a separate lip brush or your fingers. There's even a lip plumper (I'd expect no less from VS) for $18. It apparently has "Self-adjusting pigment [that] reacts with skin's pH to enrich natural lip color." Hmm.. asounds interesting. Perhaps I should've tested this one....

In the end I settled for an eye liner ($10) in Exotic Plum. I like that these eyeliners have a built-in smudger at the end.

Ankle Boots

2006-09-29T07:32:00.000-07:00

Another growing trend I don't quite understand is the ankle boot. Stars have been wearing this look with everything from shrts to dresses to skinny jeans.

I think it's ugly.

I guess I'm just a firm believer in that boots should be worn under (and be mostly hidden by) your pants. The only exception is knee-high boots, or maybe some of the slouchy boots that have been coming out lately that you tuck your jeans into. But, basically, it needs to come up between mid-calf and knee-high. Otherwise I think they just look... wierd.

Ankle boots cut your legs off at the ankle. This is only ok for those with long legs (who have plenty to spare) but for the rest of us it ain't doing us any favors. Celebrities have been pairing these with otherwise gorgeous cocktail dresses on the red carpet, and the boots just ruin the look of the dress. I can't help but think "ew" every time I see them. And worn with skinny pants... well, we've covered the perils of skinny pants already, I don't think there's a need to go over them again.

So... yeah. Let's just stay away from the ankle boot, shall we?

Sephora Lip Gloss Pencil

2006-09-28T07:15:00.000-07:00

I love lip gloss. Adore it. It is seriously one of my favorite makeup inventions EVER. So when I heard that there were these new contraptions of lip gloss made in a pencil form, you bet I was interested!

So I went out and tried Sephora's Lip Gloss pencil ($10)... and it's pretty sweet. Goes on nice and smoothly, gives very nice color with a good bit of shine. It's not *quite* the same as wearing gloss, but it's also a heck of a lot less sticky or messy, and you can carry this pencil around in your bag all day long and never have to worry about it spilling onto anything else.

My only complaint? The color selection leaves a bit to be desired. I have mine in 05 (plum shimmer) which is nice, but it's a fairly bright pink-- great for going out, but definitely not much of a day color (unless you like being bold). It was really the only color that appealed much to me. But that may just be my personal preference... and my difficulty in buying new makeup formulas in colors that I already have in something else (which really can make it hard to shop, since there's only so many colors! lol).

Forever 21... revisited

2006-09-27T07:55:00.000-07:00

I haven't been inside Forever 21 in a while. usually the store almost seems a bit schizophrenic to me-- so much stuff all over the place, it's hard to see what's really there and it takes a while to pick through it all. But today my sister and I went up to San Francisco and stopped by the Forever 21 store off Market street, and oh my lord it was wonderful. I was entranced by the jewelry. The best part? It's all uber-cheap (as in $3-$6 each for their necklaces, earrings, etc). So, if it breaks after wearing it a couple times you still totally got your money's worth. ; )

There were a LOT of dressy tops that had the high-neck, puffy-sleeve style to them. At first I kinda turned my nose at them, but then my sister tried a bunch on and they actually looked way cute on her. Case in point, one of the tops I saw on the hanger in her dressing room I immeidately thought "ew" but when it was on her it looked adorable. I'm not sure I could pull that look off myself, but I think I may have to take an extended trip on my own to Forever 21 sometime soon where I'll just take stuff off the rack and try it just to see what it looks like.

(sorry for no pictures, but I can't get images off the Forever 21 website)

Fall Into Old Navy Sweaters

2006-09-26T07:12:00.000-07:00

Fall is approaching. It's still fairly warm here in California, but I am noticing the evenings and mornings getting cooler. I think we still have a few months left before it's time to pull out the winter sweaters, but that doesn't mean I can't start shopping now... ; )

Old Navy has a very cute collection of new sweaters for the season. Here's a sampling of a few that caught my eye :

I think this kimono-sleeved sweater ($26.50) may be my favorite. I just really like the style. It comes in several colors, too, though I really like this plum shade. It'd be kinda interesting to layer this over a long-sleeved shirt... hmm....

The V-neck sweater ($24.50)... a bit of a classic. I'm not sure how low the neckline goes, you could potentially wear this alone (or, well, with a nice push-up bra underneath) for a conservative-yet-still-naughty going-out look, or layered over a tank top for a more cutesy look. I have a couple sweaters in this style that I wear over and over all winter long. This one comes in 7 different colors, so I may need to stock up on some more.

I think this metallic hooded sweater ($34.50) looks like a cute casual look. I'm curious to see what it looks like in person, though. I'm not sure I want the "metallic" part to be too obvious. It's also a bit more pricey... we'll see. It also comes in gray and dark brown.

Another good, simple option-- the long henley sweater ($26.50). I like the longer length, and it looks nice and cozy for wearing around, without being bulky. The colors are pretty basic (dark brown, camel, white, black) so it'd be fun to open up the buttons and wear a brith-colored tank underneath it.

I've found that I really like a lot of the sweaters that Old Navy comes out with each fall. I may wait till some of these go on sale... though with Old Navy you never really know what's gonna still be around in 2 weeks and what will be gone. Check out OldNavy.com to see the rest of their sweaters.

You Have Got to be Kidding Me

2006-09-25T07:30:00.000-07:00

This is the latest Gap ad campaign. I had to do a double take when I saw these ads in a magazine recently. I mean, c'mon... black skinny pants, white socks and black loafers? Add the white glove and black hat and you've got Michael Jackson circa 1985. I mean, I realize the 80's are still back and all, but seriously? With WHITE socks?

I don't know... I guess I just don't get the skinny pant trend anyway. The only people that can wear them are tall, skinny models with no hips. Honestly, I'm really sick of all the magazines trying to convince us that skinny pants are "flattering for every body shape!" because that's just a load of bull. Anyone with hips that tries to wear them will only end up looking even wider, and many of these pants (like the ones above) end right at the ankle or slightly above, which means that anyone who's not 5'10" (or super svelt) looks dumpy. I can sorta see wearing them longer, pulled over high heels, but I don't really like that look much either. I'll accept wearing skinny pants tucked inside tall boots, that's about the only way I think they call look good, and that's usually b/c the boots will be a bit chunky and help balance out the rest of your legs and hips.

*Sigh* Do I need to go out and buy a bunch of flared and boot-leg cut pants before they all dissappear?

Aveda Body Wash

2006-09-22T08:10:00.000-07:00

Several months ago I recieved a gift box of Aveda's Energizing and Calming body cleansers ($14 each). At the time I wasn't too thrilled at the gift, as I believe my bathtub was already cluttered with at least 1-2 bottles of body wash already, but I did feel sorta fancy at receiving them so I put them in my shower for future use.

Now, I find I use these almost exclusively when I shower. I don't know if they really do much as far as "energizing" or "calming" me, but they smell divine and just feel very luxurious. And my skin has felt fairly well moisturized and clean after washing with one of these products.

I've never been one to splurge on body wash, I figure they all work pretty much the same and so usually get something from the drugstore for $5. When I run out of these I'm not sure I'll be able to justify shelling out the cash to buy a replacement... but I know I will be temped to. I think that says a lot about how much I've enjoyed using them.

Kailo Chic (pt 2)

2006-09-21T07:46:00.000-07:00

I've posted about this before, but it was a long time ago and I think it deserves another mention.

So, my friend Kara Whitten (who's a style genius) has come up with this line of handbags and accessories named Kailo Chic. Her stuff is BRILLIANT! She makes it all by hand, it's all incredibly adorable, and great quality. She custom-made me this great little bag (mentioned in this post) that I use all the time when I don't want a bukly purse hanging on my shoulder, and most recently I got a pair of her acrylic earrings ($18, pictured left) and some of her headbands ($12). I've been incredibly happy with all of them. I may need to buy up a bunch of her stuff as christmas presents this year. ; )

Definitely go check out her site and see what she has to offer. If you have any questions, or get inspired and want her to custom make something for you, you can email her at KaraJade@kailochic.com.

Who Knew?

2006-09-20T07:37:00.000-07:00

Several years ago my dad gave me a very cute jewelry box, with space for rings, necklaces, bracelets, etc. It was a great jewelry box... except I had trouble fitting all my jewelry in it.

In the years following I've struggled with the best ways to store my jewelry to keep it looking nice, tangle-free, and easy to get to. I think I finally came upon a solution a few monthds ago. I was at Michael's and for some reason was in the beading section of the store, and looked at some of the bead organizers they had... and as I looked at them I thought, "Huh. You know, I bet I could put earrings in there."

Now I have most of my jewelry stored inside various bead organizers (like the one at right, $2.89). Most of them are like little tray with different sized compartments and a lid that closes the whole thing. They come in all shapes and sizes, so you can find small ones or big ones to store various amounts and sizes of jewelry items. I keep small earrings in a yellow set with square compartments, longer earrings in a red set with rectangular compartments, and bigger/bulkier items like broaches in a purple box that's undivided. I got a cylindrical organizer that has sections that stack on top of each other (so one container is the lid of the container below it) that's perfect for hoops. The only thing this system doesn't work well for is long necklaces, which I keep on a bulletin board with thumbtacks puched in, and my necklaces hanging off the thumbtacks.

I love this bead organizer system, for several reasons: a) it keeps my jewelry from getting all tangled together, b) the separate boxes stack on top of each other so they don't take up tons of room, c) the tops are clear plastic so I can see them easily, and d) everything's already compact enough and compartmentalized so all I have to do when travelling is toss the containers themselves into my suitcase when travelling (occasionally shifting items from one box to another depending on what I want to bring).

The best part? These bead organizers usually cost just a few dollars, so they're an awesome bargain, and you can always go buy more when you need more storage. So go check out your local craft store and see what kind of a selection they have-- you may feel inspired. ; )

2006-09-19T14:50:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the late post, gals, I got back into town late last night and just had no energy.

In other news, check out my interview up at ThisNext.com!

Open Letter to All Girls with Bad Posture

2006-09-19T14:33:00.000-07:00

Dear Slouchies,

I've been noticing y'all a lot lately as I've been out and about. I've seen you at the beach with your teenage friends, or at the outdoor concert this past weekend... I've even seen you on the red carpet (yes, I'm talking to YOU, Scarlett Johansson). And I have a few words to share with you.

It pains me to see your shoulders all slumped over, your belly sticking out, your body basically looking like a big question mark. I just want to walk up to you and pull your shoulders back. I see you standing like that, and it makes me cringe, for your sake. Do you realize that when you hunch like that it makes your upper back curve forward and look like an old lady with bad osteoperosis? Do you realize that it makes your stomach and hips jut forward, making you appear a good 10lbs heavier than you actually are? Now, I know that many of you are tall, and in your teens/early 20's and so may feel self-conscious about your height. I also know you may feel self-conscious next to your prettier girlfriend. I've been there (not the tall part, but feeling like the dumpier friend of the duo). But you know what? I PROMISE you that if you only straighten up your shoulders and tuck in that tummy, you will look that much more attractive and even feel better, too.

When you slouch, you look uncomfortable. You look unsure of yourself. You look shy. And you look sloppy. When you stand up tall, you exude confidence. Your belly looks flatter. Your back looks regal. People will want to approach you more.

So, please, gals, listen to what your mother told you. Or what all the magazines tell you. Do that trick of imgining the string being pulled up from above your head. Practice it in the mirror, to see what a big difference it makes. I realize posture is a hard habit to change, so ask your friends and family to help remind you if you slip back into your old slouch habits. You'll be doing yourselves (and your backs, which must be very sore by now) a huge favor. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Marcy

Dear Readers,

2006-09-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

I am very excited about this weekend!! I'm flying to Austin, TX this afternoon and will be attending the Austin City Limits Festival all weekend, as well as celebrating my birthday with family and friends. It will be a very busy weekend, and I know I won't have much time to post. Therefore, I am taking a bit of a break from posting tomorrow (friday) and monday so I can just enjoy the musical weekend and my birthday celebrations. Please enjoy some of the archives and my links during my absence. I will be back tuesday morning. Thanks!

Have a great weekend!
Marcy

I heart Steve Madden

2006-09-14T07:26:00.000-07:00

I've found over the years that one shoe designer I continually find myself drooling over is Steve Madden. I adore his women's dress shoes. One day, when I have enough to money to justify buying my shoes someplace other than Payless (and the occasional splurge at DSW), I will buy myself some gorgeous Steve Madden heels. Till then, I'll just have to do with my Payless ripoffs.

Here's some of the shoes I've been dreaming about lately:

I have been REALLY into peep-toe pumps lately-- very retro, totally classic, and just gorgeous. And there's something about leopard print that makes it a classic that never goes out of style (as long as you wear it right). These would look killer with a simple little black dress. Also available in zebra print. ($169.95)

These are just simply gorgeous (available in purple, red, and brown as well). I wasn't kidding about the peeptoes-- they're just about all I've had my eyes on lately! (link, $169.95)

Here's a very cute pair of flats. In this color scheme, they'd dress up any outfit and add a bit of personality and flair. They're also available in black or gold leather, and in black suede. I have a pair of black flats very much like these (with the flower and everything) from Gap and I adore them, though they don't provide a whole lot of support... these look like they have a thicker heel, giving you a bit of shock absorption when you walk. (link, $89.95)

And then there's these... (also available in black and gold) Gaudy? Yes. Necessary? Of course not. So unbelievably fun to wear? YES! Ok, so if I really were to get these I'd go for the more subtle black (though, honestly, I'm tempted by the gold). But you can't deny that these would lend quite a kick to any outfit, and what else are shoes for than for fun? Ok, so walking and comfort, but that's during the day time. Nighttime is a whole different story... ; ) (link, $109.95)

Blogger Beta

2006-09-13T14:22:00.000-07:00

Hello Dear Readers,

Just as an announcement, I have switched to the new beta version of blogger. So far sogood... You may have noticed a few tweaks in the template, I'll still be changing a few things around in the days and weeks to come. I can now use categires through blogger, but it'll take me a while to re-catgorize all my posts so for now I still have links up to my categories on del.icio.us. If y'all have any problems with leaving comments or viewing anything properly please let me know so I can alert blogspot.

Thanks! =)
Marcy

POLL!

2006-09-13T07:23:00.000-07:00

Ok, fellow fashionistas, I need your advice!

This saturday my step-sister and I (whose birthdays are 4 days apart) are having a joint birthday celebration at a bar. I want to wear one of the following dresses-- I realize I may end up a bit overdressed but, ya know what, it's my birthday and I can dress how I want to! ; ) Plus I bought these dresses last month and haven't had a chance to wear them yet, and don't know when else I will.

Soooo... without further adew, here's dress #1:

And, dress # 2:

(If you click on the pictures you can see larger versions of them)

So, which one should I wear?

Benefit Dallas

2006-09-12T07:33:00.000-07:00

I've heard so much positive buzz about Benefit's Dallas bronzer/blush powder, that I fanlly gave in and forked over my $26 at Sephora to try it myself.

And now I finally know what all y'all have been talking about. = )

Lately I've seen a lot of beauty articles advising readers how to get that gorgeous "natural glow" by using bronzer on your forehead, cheecks, nose, etc (wherever the sun hits) and then topping it off with a rosy blush on your cheeks. Well, Dallas has done that for you-- it's a perfectly gorgeous shade of bronze and rosy pink mixed together. One step and you're good to go. I haven't tried it as an all-over bronzer yet (I've been using Bare Escentuals Warmth all-over face powder for that lately) but I think Dallas has just become my new favorite blush.

Best of Sephora 2006, PLUS Sephora Blog!

2006-09-11T07:47:00.000-07:00

I recently went over to the Sephora website to discover their new homepage listing all their Best Products (voted on by 150,000 Sephora shoppers)! Check out results such as Best Cleanser (Philosophy Purity Made Simple), or Best Lipstick (Nars Lipstick in Dolce Vita). And there's much, MUCH more where that came from!

AND get this... Last week Sephora launched its own Beauty BLOG! You bet your booty I'm adding them to my bookmarks list!

Is it silly how excited these 2 findings have made me? I'm positively giddy... lol! I guess that's what a growing addiction to beauty products will do to ya... ; )

Philosophy Hope in a Jar

2006-09-08T07:15:00.000-07:00

As I was going through my recent purchases from Sephora, I was thrilled to find a sample of Philosophy's Hope in a Jar included in my bag! I'd been eyeing this product for a while and was itching to try it, but at $35 I wasn't prepared to splurge (especially when I still have plenty of my regular moisturizer, Olay Complete).

So, that night, I tried out my sample after washing my face. I was immediately very pleased-- the lotion felt so light, not at all greasy, and it absorbed into my skin almost immediately (I tend to need to let my Olay moisturizer "sit" for several minutes as it absorbs in the morning before putting on my makeup). The cincher? I swear the few fine lines I've started noticing around my eyes and mouth were less noticeable after using this lotion, even just once or twice. Maybe it was my imagination, I don't know. But my skin just felt... nice. Happy. Not dry, nor oily.

The only downside (and unfortunately it's a big one) is the scent. The scent is just wierd. At first I thought it smelled kind of like eucalyptus, which would have been nice. But as I continued getting small whiffs of it in the minutes after applying it, I realized it didn't smell like eucalyptus at all, but rather something stranger. My best guess is some cross between eucalyptus, citrus, and something medicinal ,and the result is something that lands more on the unpleasant side. I used my Hope in a Jar sample 3 times in a row (night, the next morning, then that night) and by the 3rd application I knew the scent was a dealbuster for me. Which is really a shame, because other than that I was almost ready to run out and buy it.

This experience has, however, reawakened in me the desire to look into other well-known pricier moisturizers, such as Clinique's imfamous Dramatically Different Moisture Lotion. Or perhaps I'll look into Good Skin and Grassroots lotions, as this may be another MAC vs Flirt! type of deal (Clinique, Grassroots, and Good Skin are also all owned by Estee Lauder).

EDIT: Ok, after a bit of online browsing I discovered, to my surprise, that Clinique's moisture lotion is actually less expensive (for the 1.7 oz size) than the Kohls brands.... Interesting. This certainly tips the scale in Clinique's favor, now being cheaper and more well-known, but I will still have some fun doing my comparison shopping. If any of you have any feedback about any of these brands I'd love to hear it. =) Thanks!

MAC Lipglass

2006-09-07T07:59:00.000-07:00

I've heard enough raves about MAC's Lipglass ($14) that I figured it was time to go out and try it myself. So I headed out to the mall and went to the MAC counter at Nordstroms. I looked through the selection of different shades of tinted lipglass, and settled on one that intrigued me-- Viva Glam V, a sort of shimmery nude color. I was somewhat surprised, though, to see that the usual arrnagements of tissues, q-tips, and other applicators for testing purposes weren't readily available, which made me self-conscious about wanting to test out any of the colors, and we all know how hard it is to tell what a color will look like just from looking at the tube. One of the makeup artists came over and helped me out, and let me try the lipglass along with a lip liner I was interested in, and I was pretty sold.

I liked how the gloss felt on my lips- light, non-sticky, but still moisturizing and nicely shiny. I have to say, though, that I'm not sure it's really superiod to Flirt!'s Plushious Liquid Velvet Lipcolor ($10). I wondered if this would be the case, knowing that both MAC and Flirt! are owned by Estee Lauder, and have some of the same playful feel to their products.

So, while I'm happy with my MAC purchase (especially since it was a Viva Glam color, and therefore went towards AIDS research), I think my future purchases will be with Flirt! instead, and save myself the $4 per tube of gloss. Also, with Flirt! I'm limited to Kohls stores only, but I can browse and test to my heart's content, which I can't do at MAC stores. I like being able to do my own thing when looking at makeup and not have to rely on a makeup artist to help me test different products. I understand why MAC may do that (help match up people with the right products, etc) but it's just my shopping style and what makes me most comfortable.

Extra TidBits

2006-09-07T07:40:00.000-07:00

As of this morning I have had my 1,000th visitor- yay! =)

Check out my recent post over at Target Culture--> Gwen Stefani dolls for sale soon, at Target!

Sephora Lip Pencils

2006-09-06T08:29:00.000-07:00

I've been needing to buy new lip pencils for a while, since I finally got rid of the ones I'd had for years. So I went to Sephora today and looked at their line of makeup, and was once again pleasantly surprised at how affordable it is-- their lip pencils are only $4-$5 each! Sure, they're shorter than most other lip pencils, but that still seems like a great deal to mr, especially since the color from these pencils goes on so much smoother than many other cheaper pencils.

So I got 2 of the slim pencils (in 132/dark red and 110/natural), and one jumpo pencil (406/purple). I was first looking at Bare Escentuals lip liner in "wearable rose" when I realized that the Sephora jumbo pencil in 406 was almost the exact same color (for less than half the price) so I went with the latter. I love the color, it's basically like nice rosy lips, but more flushed (not sure why Sephora calls it "purple", it's not really the color that comes to mind for me).

Pencil 110 is a nice nude/toast color, it will be a nice base for the browner toned lipsticks and glosses I'll start wearing here as it gets to be fall. Pencil 132 is more of a burgundy color, it will also be really nice for fall. I'm tempted to go back and get a whole slew of these lip pencils, the color selection is really nice and you really just can't beat the price!

I got a few other goodies today on my shopping trip, including Benefit's Dallas bronzer/blush powder (that everybody's been raving about), and MAC lipglass. I'll have reviews of these products up in the following days. ; )

My Favorite Work-Out Pants

2006-09-05T07:31:00.000-07:00

I have 2 pairs of Victoria's Secret's Yoga Pants (one solid colored, one side-stripe). They are my FAVORITE work-out pants. They're soft, they fit well, and they're flattering. They come in an array of colors and 3 different styles (there's also the fold-over style to choose from) and cost only $29, which considering VS prices isn't bad at all.

VS also offers a cropped yoga pant (in solid, and fold-over) for $25. I'm thinking of getting one or 2 of the cropped pants, since it'll still be warm enough here for a while to wear outside, and to/from the gym.

We all know it's important to work out-- it's good for your body, and it's good for your soul (helps releive stress, etc). I like to use cute work-out clothes as extra motivation. These pants have become a staple in my gym wardrobe, fitting and feeling so much better than other styles I've bought most other places for the same price range.

PS- Use the offer code FA63241 at check-out to get free shipping on orders of $100 and over. This offer code is valid through Oct 20 2006 (though I find you can get this offer, one way or another, just about any time).

Also, VS has implemented this super-neat system where they send you a prepaid return stamp in case you need to return any item in your order. Just stick it on an envelope and when they recieve your return they'll charge you $4.95 for shipping. No need to stop by the Post Office to buy postage for the package!

To Switch or Not To Switch?

2006-09-04T14:32:00.000-07:00

I've been debating lately switching from Blogger to some other blogging format, such as wordpress. I've been playing around a bit today with worpress and I like some of the features it has (like built-in categories and being able to post-date your posts), although there's also some drawbacks (like not being able to edit the template of your page). I guess for the most freedom and reliability it becomes necessary to pay a bit for a better web hosting service... but I'm just not sure I'm ready to get there yet.

Hm... decisions, decisions....

Aveda- Sap, Shimmer, Brush

2006-09-01T08:28:00.000-07:00

I was at an Aveda salon today returning the Sap Moss Shampoo ($12) that I bought a few weeks ago (didn't like it at all- the texture is too sticky, I like my shampoo to glide a bit more so it doesn't feel like I'm tugging at my hair). The store would only offer an exchange or store redit, so I was looking for something to exchnage the shampoo for and started wandering over to their makeup. A sales associate soon came over and she was showing me Aveda's new fall makeup collection. She decided to try one of the Inner Light Shimmer Accent gels ($20) on me-- she patted a bit along the top of my cheekbone and on under my eyes, explaining how it would help brighten up my complextion and make me look a bit more awake.

After she's applied the gel, she leads me to a mirror to check out the results. I don't know if it was the lighting or what-- but the shimmer made the teeny, usually non-noticeable fine lines around my eyes totally obvious! It was horrible! I tried to smile and thank the lady for her help and go off to browse through some other section of the store, but inside I was thinking "um... NO."

Eventually I settled on this wooden brush ($12). It claims to add volume and lift to the roots, and reduce stress on your hair. We'll see. So far Aveda's 0-3 with me (see post on their Pure Abundance Hair Potion), but I've been needing a good brush so I guess it works out.

Anyway, have a good weekend, everyone! =)

Foot Petals: Your Feet's New Best Friend

2006-08-31T08:45:00.000-07:00

I discovered Foot Petals on a trip to Nordstrom's a while back. I was immediately drawn to them-- my biggest problem when wearing heels is that the balls of my feet will start to ache from walking and dancing, and when wearing flats I got the same ache in my heels. I'd been searching for cushioning inserts I could slip into my shoes to help alleviate this problem. I had tried some gel inserts, but they didn't have any adhesive so they slipped around a lot and were annoying.

Foot Petals are slim and have an adhesive strip on the bottom. This means you can't change them from one shoe to another, but it also means they'll stay put. There's a variety of different cushions available: ball of the foot, heels, back of the heels (to prevent the back of your shoe from slipping or rubbing), whole foot, for small straps on strappy sandals. I bought the small strap inserts (which I used as back-of-heel cushions on one pair of shoes and it's made them wearable again) and the whole foot ones. I don't recommend those, the "one size fits all" means it's hard to hit your heel and ball of your foot at once. The separate heel and toe cushions should work better, and be a bit easier to slip into deeper shoes like boots.

There are also lots of gift sets with differtent combinations of each of these inserts all in one package (such as the Fancy Feet or Strut N Style kits). Each of the inserts come in black, grey, pink, and beige, to blend in a bit easier to your shoes (some cushions such as the toe tips come in additional colors, such a zebra stripe). And they're small and sleek enough to be worn even with open sandals.

Go to the Shop section to purchase these little foot savers, or find a store nearby to check them out in person. Your feet will thank you!

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara

2006-08-30T08:49:00.000-07:00

This is one product I have heard about often: Maybelline Great Lash Mascara has been mentioned time and again in magazines and websites as, well, the perfect mascara. It comes in washable and waterproof formulas, in black, brown, and clear. The packaging is bright and colorful, making it easy to find in the most cluttered makeup bag. And did I mention that it's cheap? It's listed on Drugstore.com as $4.49.

As much as I'd always heard about this wondermascara, I'd never triend it... until last week. I was standing in line to check out at Target and was glancing over all the little extra goodies they have on sale beside the check-out counter, when I saw this product (the washable version, in black) on sale for $3.99!

Now, I have to admit-- I'm not much of a mascara girl. I have naturally dark lashes and during the day usually get by with just wearing eyelinder. However I do like having mascara for nights out, so of course when I saw this much-talked about product on sale for a mere few dollars I grabbed it raced home to try it.

Perhaps it's not being used to wearing a lengthening mascara everyday... but I was amazed when I spread this on my lashes! It was like they doubled in size instantly! And NO clumps! Now, I have experienced that before with different mascaras only to find clumps forming a little later, so we'll see... I have also read that you can keep clumps at bay by swiping the wand through a kleenex to get rid of excess product before using it.

Anyway, I kept the mascara on the rest of the day and did not notice any smudging. I only applied to top lashes, though-- I think that's a tip that's wise to follow with any mascara (I personally prefer to highlight the bottom half of my eye by lining the inner rim of my lower lid with a dark liner instead of using mascara). Then, at night when I took a shower, I purposefully skipped the eyemakeup remover to see how it would do with a regular cream clenser. I was quite pleased to step back out of the shower with my mascara gone, and only a trace of black smudged under one eye. Other mascaras (particularly waterproof ones) have left me with raccoon eyes after using makeup remover AND washing my face.

Do other mascaras work better than this one? Possibly. Are they worth the extra money? That's up to you. I'm always dissapointed in that I have to throw away barely used tubes of mascara after the required 3-6 months since I don't use them every day, so to me I'm quite pleased to only spend $4 for a product that works pretty darn well. I will say, however, that to me this look still seems a bit severe for daytime and I still prefer to use Neutrogena's Clean Lash Tint for casual daily wear-- it gives lashes a bit of a kick, but looks 100% natural. I'll save the big guns (like Maybelline) for evening. ; )

Benefit Eye Bright

2006-08-29T08:40:00.000-07:00

Some days, you need some help looking "bright eyed and bushy-tailed." This is when makeup can do its best work. It can make you look alert, awake, and neat when you feel the least bit like any of these things. Benefit Eye Bright ($18) is one of these such tools. It's a light pink colored pencil that hides the dark coloring that can creep up underneath tired eyes. Just slick a little bit over your dark circles and blend just a bit (on light-skinned gals like me, there's hardly much blending needed at all) and your eyes look instantly much more awake.

You can also dab a bit right in the inner corners of your eyes, near you tear ducts, for a nice brightening effect, or just under the arch of your eyebrows for an instantly more groomed look and to add a bit of depth to your eye shadow job (Benefit sells a separate brow highlighting pencil, also $18, but they really seem like the same thing to me).

So, while you really *should* be getting a good 8-9 hours of sleep a night, we all know that on occasion that is just not quite possible. On those days, Eye Bright is your friend.

Campaign for Real Beauty

2006-08-28T09:33:00.000-07:00

I LOVE Dove's new ad campaign. I remember seeing the first of their Campaign for Real Beauty ads in a fashion magazine several months back and thinking "Hooray!" In the era of Mischa Barton, Nicole Ritchie, and The Olsen Twins, it's nice to see images of real females, with real bodies, not only being displayed but being celebrated!

I'm tired of hearing my gorgeous girl friends complaining about their bodies. I'm tired of seeing Hollywood actresses tout their refusal to "conform to the standards of Hollywood" one day, and revealing their secrets to super-slim downs the next. It's ridiculous the standards we set for ourselves!

Dove is not only taking a risk by choosing this alternative model type (which is fabulous, by the way) but they are also taking strides to help girls all over the world gain better self-confidence and feel better about themselves in general. According to a world-wide poll by Dove, almost 70% of women ages 15-64 have withdrawn from life-engaging activities because of their negative views of themselves and their bodies. As a response, Dove has created their Self-Esteem Fund, and has tools available on its website (a downloadable workbook, ideas and exercises) to help mothers and daughters (almost 70% of teenage girls reported that their mothers have an influence their feelings about themselves and their beauty) reconnect and feel better about themselves.

I applaud Dove for celebrating all the various shapes and sizes we come in, and taking the steps to help our young women attain better and healthier views of their bodies. Perhaps If Dina Lohan can snap out of her desire to be 21 again, she can look up some of these tools and help save her daughter from a drunken and undernourished demise....

The Beauty Brains (my new fave site)

2006-08-25T09:32:00.000-07:00

I found this website (thanks to Delightful Blogs) last night, and have hardly been able to tear myself away from it since! (ok, so I slept for a few hours between perusing it last night and this morning...) The bloggers behind The Beauty Brains are professional cosmetic chemists whose job is to create and test different beauty products. Their blog is a series of question-and-answer posts about everything from shampoos and conditioners to makeup, and how it all works. This site is AMAZING! I keep clicking through their old posts and learning all sorts of new things! For example:

What are the best cheap hair care formulas?
Are expensive beauty products really worth it?
What do antioxidants and vitami C really do for your skin?
Do sunscreens work on hair?
How well do anti-aging products really work?
Are salon products sold at Target, etc, trustworthy?

And much, much, much, much, MUCH more. There's also a link to a cosmetics ingredients dictionary, and general info on how products like shampoos, conditioners, face lotions, etc actually work. This is a great site to get information on what's behind the marketing ploys of different new products, and how to educate yourself to be a better, smarter consumer so you can known what you're buying and get what you want. Go check them out!!

Where There's Smoke, There's Fire (in other words, smoky eyes are hot)

2006-08-25T08:50:00.000-07:00

The Smoky Eye look seems to be "in" again for fall (wait, has it ever been "out?"). This really is a great look-- it's classic, it's foxy, it highlights the eyes, it's versatile (you can do it with basic black or charcoal gray, or be more playful with blues, greens and purples). And taking the time do perfect your eye-makeup is often a better way to go when you're dressing up as it's more likely to stay in place than your lip color.

I have to say, though, that I'm not a big fan of this trend of pairing smoky eyes with non-existent lips. Yes, it is important to be low-key with the rest of your make-up when going bold with any one feature, or else you risk looking kind of... trampish. However that doesn't mean you have to look as if you've completely erased the other features from your face altogether. Or like you're dead. Take Mischa Barton, here, at left-- her lips just look.. wierd. Often when I've seen this look on celebs (often on Jessica Simpson or Keira Knightly, right) their eyes look very bold and dark but the rest of their face is pale and uni-color. Not a good look, in my opinion. It's just too severe, and often looks kind of un-feminine. I'll look at their face and think they look kind of sickly.

There's nothing wrong with a soft pink or peach blush. Or with a bit of lip gloss. Your lips do not need to match your skin tone. If nothing else, at least let them be their own naturally rosy color, with a bit of lip balm on top or something, instead of caking them under tons of nude-colored lipstick. Lips should still look natural.

As wonderful as the smoky eye is, it is also quite tricky to master. Lucky for us, Elke Von Freudenberg, makeup artist to the stars and fellow blogger, has outlined the steps needed to perfect this look. Enjoy! And please remember-- after you've mastered your smolderingly fantabulous eyes, finish it off with a spot of gloss. And some blush. Thanks!

(and thanks to Juliet over at Beautynomics for the how-to link!)

DIY Inspirations

2006-08-24T08:35:00.000-07:00

My shopping drive goes in cycles. I'll be in a make-up kick for a few weeks, then I'll get really into looking for hair products or maybe accessories, other times I'll be really into clothes. Lately, I've been on more of a beauty-product kick, window-shopping at Sephora and researching hair products online.

Then today I went to Borders and looked through the latest People Style magazine. As I looked through all the upcoming trends for fall (many of them resurgences of last year's trends), I got inspired. All of a sudden I found myself making a shopping list-- cropped leggings (finally giving in), a skinny belt to wear high on the waist over longer tops, skinny jeans (just to be able to tuck into my boots), perhaps an oversized sweater?

Then I started thinking-- why waste money on trends that, although fun to indulge in, probably won't last another season? So I've gone DIY. Last winter I was totally into the opaque/textured/patterned tights trend. So as soon as I got home, I pulled out a pair of black opaque tights. Why spend money on leggings when I can "recycle" these? So I cut them off below the knee. I'm thinking of wearing them with a skirt, as shown at right (you can click on the pictures to see them bigger). I'm not totally crazy about it yet... but we'll see. (btw those shoes are the adorable little mary janes I spied at Payless recently... I just had to have them)

Now, to the skinny jeans.... I've been contemplating getting a pair of these for a while. Let me be clear-- I firmly believe that this style of pant is really suited best for ultra skinny gals with little to no curves, and most of the rest of us that actually have hips should probably stay away. However, I'm really liking the tuck-your-jeans-into-your-boots look, which is nearly impossible to achieve with bootcut or flared jeans. So, not crazy about the idea of spending money on a pair of pants that, again, will probably survive through this fall and winter and not much longer, I took a look into my own closet... and at a pair of grey Mossimo jeans that I got from Target years ago (at left). They fit me well, and have a nice flare to them, but I don't wear them very often... and I'm not sure why. But they seemed like the best candidates for this experiment.

I cut the seam open (on the inside of the leg) up to about the knee, then used safety pins to bring in the leg and make it more of a straight leg. I then used black thread to sew the leg back up, and afterwards turned the leg inside-out to cut the extra fabric off. I also cut them off above the ankle, to prevent them from bunching up there inside the boot. It's a pretty shoddy sewing job overall, seeing as I don't sew... But as long as you don't look at the inside seams very closely it's not very noticeable. And now I can wear my jeans with boots! (like my outfit at right) The shirt is a very cool cowl-neck top I got at Target today, for $13 (also available in black, purple, olive green, light brown, and maroon). The silver belt, which I am SO excited about, is actually a necklace, also purchased at Target today (for $12), that works absolutely fantabulously as a belt with this top. I have a party to go to this saturday and I am very much looking forward to wearing this outfit!

I may make another trip to Target on friday (when my weekly budget re-sets), to look for a skinny and/or wide belt to wear at my waist, and take a second look at some other cute tops I saw today.... ; )

The Brush Off

2006-08-23T09:39:00.000-07:00

We all know the importance of a good set of makeup brushes. They help make application easier, smoother, more pleasant (hello super soft brushes!). Here's 2 makeup brush kits that are both adorable and good buys, both from Sephora:

My husband got me this Two Tone Portfolio Brush Set ($42) for christmas last year (yay amazon.com wishlists!). It's a great deal when you consider that you're getting 6 quality brushes plus the cute carrying case. The kit includes a blush brush, a powder/bronzer brush, a lip brush, a concealer brush, an eyeshadow brush, and an eye countouring brush. I use these brushes almost exclusively now, abandoning my old drugstore-bought brushes.

This other set (Mini Clear Brush Set, $6) I just found on monday... and immediately bought it. This set includes a mini blush brush, eye shadow brush, eye shadow applicator, eyeliner brush, and lip brush. Ok, so the "blush brush" is probably too small to actually use, but all the others should still work fine even though they're so small. And the case itself is only about 3 inches long, so it's absolutely perfect for stashing in your makeup bag when you're travelling. Plus, it's only $6. You can't beat that.

I have a couple other beauty buys from today, including the Benefit Bright Eye pencil and Maybelline Great Lash mascara that I snagged at Target for under $4. Those reviews will be coming soon. ; )

Almay Skincare

2006-08-22T08:50:00.000-07:00

While on a trip to Target this morning, I noticed another great deal among the beauty aisles– sets of the Almay Skincare 1-2-3 products (cleanser, toner, and moisturizer), for dry, oily, or normal/combination skin, sold in a cute little case for $18.99!

This face care system seems to be modeled after Clinique’s popular (and much more expensive) 3-step skin care system. The 3 steps (cleanse, tone/exfoliate, moisturize) are meant to be used together, twice a day, for maximum results.

If you were to buy each of these items separately you’d pay close to $30 (and the Clinique version costs almost $50), but at Target you can get all 3 for under $20! I have not actually tried these products so can't vouch for them, but if you're looking for a new skincare regimen this may be a good time to try it (and, hey, if you save that receipt you can always take it back if you don't like it). ; )

"Grillz"

2006-08-21T08:09:00.000-07:00

I have to say, I do not understand this phenomenon. It's been coming for a while, and now the Teen Choice Awards even gave out an award for "Best Grill." I just don't get it.

Every time I see some rapper or celebrity with a "grill" (which is like jewelry for your teeth, made of gold, platinum, even diamonds) it looks like they a) are missing teeth b/c of the reflection of the light or b) they have braces.

Now, WHY on EARTH would anyone want to look like a hill billy or a hormonal teenager?!? I remember having to wear braces in middle school (along with the rest of the world) and NO ONE liked them. They felt hideous, and more importantly they looked hideous. So why would anyone want to imitate that?

It just goes to show that people have so much money they don't know what to do with it. What ever happened to simply buying obnoxiously large jewelry? I really hope these "grillz" are not permanent, so when everyone finally realizes that they look like jackasses with them they can go take them off and not have completely ruined their teeth.

Sorry for the off-the-wall post, but I've just been baffled by this so-called trend for a while and just had to vent a bit. We'll be back to our regularly scheduled blogging tomorrow, I promise.

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