About two weeks ago, I replaced my nighttime moisturizer with Marula Oil at the suggestion of the Sephora employee who had to deal with my (quite evident) aggravation upon learning that they no longer carry REN skincare in-store. Aggravation notwithstanding, I am so glad they didn't have it because I think this has been the most advantageous skincare change I've made since I started using REN cleanser a few years ago. (I still use that cleanser, by the way, and I can't recommend it highly enough. I also still use their amazing daytime moisturizer during the summer.)
Marula Oil is, I learned, the only naturally moisturizing oil that also contains natural antibiotic properties. This explains, of course, how it manages to moisturize while preventing blemishes, decreasing pore size, and overall, improving my complexion. It is not at all greasy; in fact, the reviews indicate that a substantial number of people use it as their makeup primer because it soaks in and mattifies within about 30 seconds. I haven't tried that yet because inasmuch as I do believe that a high percentage of my recent breakouts were due to over-drying and over-exfoliation on my part, I'm still not yet comfortable with spreading layer after layer of moisturizer on my combination/oily skin.
I use Marula Oil in conjunction with philosophy's Miracle Worker eye cream and Astara's Blue Flame Purification Mask (about once or twice a week), and so far, I'm a convert.
Showing posts with label The Cosmetics Counter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Cosmetics Counter. Show all posts
02 February 2014
02 October 2013
I finally found a mascara I don't hate.
And here it is: 'Cils d'Enfer' Maxi Lash Mascara by Guerlain. Before I finally found it, though, via a Sephora sample, I was forced to endure two weeks using Marc Jacobs Beauty Lash Lifter Gel Volume Mascara, which somehow managed to make me look like I had perhaps four eyelashes, all of them shorter and straighter than my mascara-less natural lashes. The Guerlain doesn't quite live up to Chantecaille, but it's half the price and close enough.
18 June 2013
Mascara
Chantecaille Faux Cils Longest Lash Mascara
I was in Barney's a while back and bought a couple of things, and I got a sample of this mascara. I fell in love almost immediately, which means that I was fairly well traumatized when I found out that it costs $70.00! On to the next mascara...although I fully intend to ask for another sample very soon.
Givenchy Noir Couture 4-in-1 Mascara
Last week, I went to Sephora, and this was the mascara recommended to me by the child in clown makeup who latched onto me when I walked in. I found the brush terribly intriguing, but Givenchy has been known to do this to me before: catch my attention with something shiny, i.e. a strangely-shaped wand, and then completely disappoint me when it comes to everyday use.
Such is the case, yet again. This mascara makes my eyelashes clump together like crazy. "Separation" was the one specification I insisted on when I listed off the attributes I look for in a mascara; it's more important than lengthening or volumizing for me because my eyelashes aren't short or thin. They are, however, prone to clumps, so I need a mascara that won't exacerbate that. Moreover, even if I wanted lengthening or volumizing, I'd prefer DiorShow over this Givenchy because to be honest, I didn't even observe any noticeable lengthening or volumizing. It mostly just colored my eyelashes brown and then made them stick together. It didn't curl or anything.
I was in Barney's a while back and bought a couple of things, and I got a sample of this mascara. I fell in love almost immediately, which means that I was fairly well traumatized when I found out that it costs $70.00! On to the next mascara...although I fully intend to ask for another sample very soon.
Givenchy Noir Couture 4-in-1 Mascara
Last week, I went to Sephora, and this was the mascara recommended to me by the child in clown makeup who latched onto me when I walked in. I found the brush terribly intriguing, but Givenchy has been known to do this to me before: catch my attention with something shiny, i.e. a strangely-shaped wand, and then completely disappoint me when it comes to everyday use.
Such is the case, yet again. This mascara makes my eyelashes clump together like crazy. "Separation" was the one specification I insisted on when I listed off the attributes I look for in a mascara; it's more important than lengthening or volumizing for me because my eyelashes aren't short or thin. They are, however, prone to clumps, so I need a mascara that won't exacerbate that. Moreover, even if I wanted lengthening or volumizing, I'd prefer DiorShow over this Givenchy because to be honest, I didn't even observe any noticeable lengthening or volumizing. It mostly just colored my eyelashes brown and then made them stick together. It didn't curl or anything.
05 March 2013
GNC Be Beautiful Vitamins
I started taking these about two months ago after I read that Kristin Ess of The Beauty Department (she also does Lauren Conrad’s hair) recommends them. I got the chewable version because I always have trouble with vitamin pills making me feel sick. The chewables don’t, so that’s wonderful, and they taste alright, too.
Two months in, and my hair is growing like crazy. I just got my color done about four weeks ago, and the growth is already noticeable. Plus, I have to use hairspray on the crazy tiny baby hairs that I’m seeing pop up all over the place. My eyelash extensions damaged my natural lashes when I had them removed last fall, so I was anxious for them to grow back in. They’re definitely growing faster, but I’ve also been using Latisse since Christmas, which may account for that more than the vitamins.
My fingernails are growing, too, and I can tell that they’re stronger than usual and they don’t peel and split. I was having lots of problems with my skin being super dry this winter; my lips were peeling and bleeding, and my hands were just awful. I’ve noticed a significant difference in my skin texture since I’ve been taking the vitamins; at least there’s no more peeling or bleeding because that was painful.
Two months in, and my hair is growing like crazy. I just got my color done about four weeks ago, and the growth is already noticeable. Plus, I have to use hairspray on the crazy tiny baby hairs that I’m seeing pop up all over the place. My eyelash extensions damaged my natural lashes when I had them removed last fall, so I was anxious for them to grow back in. They’re definitely growing faster, but I’ve also been using Latisse since Christmas, which may account for that more than the vitamins.
My fingernails are growing, too, and I can tell that they’re stronger than usual and they don’t peel and split. I was having lots of problems with my skin being super dry this winter; my lips were peeling and bleeding, and my hands were just awful. I’ve noticed a significant difference in my skin texture since I’ve been taking the vitamins; at least there’s no more peeling or bleeding because that was painful.
03 January 2013
Dear MAC, I'm sorry. xo, avb
I admit it: I’ve said some bad stuff about MAC cosmetics in the past. Yes, their stores are scary loud, and yes, their salespeople wear too much bright makeup, too much gel in their hair, and WAY too many fake eyelashes. But I’ll tell you something else: They’ve got this whole eye makeup thing figured out.
To start, I use their Paint Pots as eyeshadow primer. My favorites are Painterly and Soft Ochre, but if you like more shimmer, they’ve got lots of other colors. I’ve been using the same Painterly for about six months now, and there’s barely a divot; it’s a fantastic value. I apply with the tip of my ring finger, but I guess you could use a brush if you prefer.
Next, I line with Pro Longwear Eye Liner, which I requested in navy blue but didn’t discover until I got home that I’d been given black instead. That turns out to be pretty lucky because I discovered that my problem, all these years, with black eyeliner hasn’t been that I don’t like the way it looks. Instead, I don’t like how it looks when it runs and smudges under my eyes. THIS EYELINER DOESN’T SMUDGE. Not even a little bit. I know that you’re all gonna’ say that Urban Decay doesn’t smudge either, but it does. It just does. And so does Dior, and so does Tarte (which is unfortunate since I just bought four Tarte eyeliners), and so does Chanel.
Then I use Urban Decay’s Naked Basics palette for my shadow (because those MAC colors are still just too scary for me). I love this palette, and I hope I never have to live without it.
And last, I use MAC’s In Extreme Dimension Lash mascara. WOW. My favorite thing about this mascara is that it doesn’t dry as fast, so you can work with it on your lashes for a while without it getting flaky and clumpy. The brush is great, and really lengthens and separates my lashes without making me look like I have spiders on my eyes.
I may or may not have gone to sleep last night without taking of my makeup and discovered this morning that my makeup looked exactly like it did yesterday. Exactly. At which point I may or may not have just washed the makeup off my face, avoiding the eye area, and worn yesterday’s eye makeup to work. Don’t judge.
To start, I use their Paint Pots as eyeshadow primer. My favorites are Painterly and Soft Ochre, but if you like more shimmer, they’ve got lots of other colors. I’ve been using the same Painterly for about six months now, and there’s barely a divot; it’s a fantastic value. I apply with the tip of my ring finger, but I guess you could use a brush if you prefer.
Next, I line with Pro Longwear Eye Liner, which I requested in navy blue but didn’t discover until I got home that I’d been given black instead. That turns out to be pretty lucky because I discovered that my problem, all these years, with black eyeliner hasn’t been that I don’t like the way it looks. Instead, I don’t like how it looks when it runs and smudges under my eyes. THIS EYELINER DOESN’T SMUDGE. Not even a little bit. I know that you’re all gonna’ say that Urban Decay doesn’t smudge either, but it does. It just does. And so does Dior, and so does Tarte (which is unfortunate since I just bought four Tarte eyeliners), and so does Chanel.
Then I use Urban Decay’s Naked Basics palette for my shadow (because those MAC colors are still just too scary for me). I love this palette, and I hope I never have to live without it.
And last, I use MAC’s In Extreme Dimension Lash mascara. WOW. My favorite thing about this mascara is that it doesn’t dry as fast, so you can work with it on your lashes for a while without it getting flaky and clumpy. The brush is great, and really lengthens and separates my lashes without making me look like I have spiders on my eyes.
I may or may not have gone to sleep last night without taking of my makeup and discovered this morning that my makeup looked exactly like it did yesterday. Exactly. At which point I may or may not have just washed the makeup off my face, avoiding the eye area, and worn yesterday’s eye makeup to work. Don’t judge.
19 November 2012
Thankful
The holidays are a strange time, huh? It's the end of the year, and just as I'm relishing in a tiny bit of relief from triple-digit Arizona summertime temperatures, I'm thrown into this whirlwind season of forced festivity and gift-giving anxiety. Even shopping, which I love, reduces me to a ball of stress because I become neurotically fearful of choosing the wrong present and disappointing someone that I love. Every public building - malls, post offices, grocery stores, airports - morphs into a sea of humanity that sets my teeth on edge and makes me want to run, screaming, toward the nearest exit. In the middle of my panic, though, I occasionally have moments of lucidity, seconds when I remember that all of this stress is simply a distraction from what's important, and that the method of celebration really shouldn't detract from that which is being celebrated.
I am blessed, and fortunate, and happy.
And so, I am thankful:
For lipgloss, the redder the better, and sparkly nail polish, any color (except orange, because as Blake says, "Orange is for Auburn." YUCK!).
For Blake, Malak, Abby, Mattie Grace, and Isaiah, and especially this year, for Charlie and Ben. Nothing makes holidays more magical than big smiles on little faces.
For pretty shoes.
For NPR.
For old friends, most of whom are distant geographically but close in all the ways that matter.
For new friends who are becoming old friends, and who are there to laugh at all my various predicaments, and then help me get out of them, and then laugh some more.
For my DVR.
For a mom who doesn't stop answering the phone even after I've called her nine times in half an hour.
For a dad who taught me to love the law, and never gets tired of me asking him to explain it to me just one more time.
For my grandparents, Horace and Ruthie. Nothing I say could ever be enough, so I won't try.
For philosophy's eye hope under-eye cream.
For cousins who were like siblings as we grew up, and more importantly, who are my friends now.
For a job that's more than just a job, and for coworkers who are more than just coworkers.
For good music.
For The MISS Foundation, which reminds me to be grateful, mindful, and gentle, and which inspires me to live and love fiercely.
For Google.
For Google maps.
For Instagram, Skype, Goodreads, Facebook, text messaging, email, and mobile phones. My friends and family are busier than ever and scattered to the four winds, but I still get to laugh with them when they're happy, cry with them when they're not, share with them a well-beloved book, watch their babies grow, and tell them I love them.
For a hairdresser who doesn't mind a challenge, or that I constantly change my mind.
For sweet tea.
For pearls.
For Sephora (and Barney's).*
For the quickly-approaching awards season.*
For a God who lavishes His grace, mercy, and forgiveness even when I forget to ask and even when I don't deserve it, and who answers prayers I didn't even know to say.
Happy, Happy Thanksgiving, y'all. xo, avb
*Added at the request of SCM, who knows me so well.
I am blessed, and fortunate, and happy.
And so, I am thankful:
For lipgloss, the redder the better, and sparkly nail polish, any color (except orange, because as Blake says, "Orange is for Auburn." YUCK!).
For Blake, Malak, Abby, Mattie Grace, and Isaiah, and especially this year, for Charlie and Ben. Nothing makes holidays more magical than big smiles on little faces.
For pretty shoes.
For NPR.
For old friends, most of whom are distant geographically but close in all the ways that matter.
For new friends who are becoming old friends, and who are there to laugh at all my various predicaments, and then help me get out of them, and then laugh some more.
For my DVR.
For a mom who doesn't stop answering the phone even after I've called her nine times in half an hour.
For a dad who taught me to love the law, and never gets tired of me asking him to explain it to me just one more time.
For my grandparents, Horace and Ruthie. Nothing I say could ever be enough, so I won't try.
For philosophy's eye hope under-eye cream.
For cousins who were like siblings as we grew up, and more importantly, who are my friends now.
For a job that's more than just a job, and for coworkers who are more than just coworkers.
For good music.
For The MISS Foundation, which reminds me to be grateful, mindful, and gentle, and which inspires me to live and love fiercely.
For Google.
For Google maps.
For Instagram, Skype, Goodreads, Facebook, text messaging, email, and mobile phones. My friends and family are busier than ever and scattered to the four winds, but I still get to laugh with them when they're happy, cry with them when they're not, share with them a well-beloved book, watch their babies grow, and tell them I love them.
For a hairdresser who doesn't mind a challenge, or that I constantly change my mind.
For sweet tea.
For pearls.
For Sephora (and Barney's).*
For the quickly-approaching awards season.*
For a God who lavishes His grace, mercy, and forgiveness even when I forget to ask and even when I don't deserve it, and who answers prayers I didn't even know to say.
Happy, Happy Thanksgiving, y'all. xo, avb
*Added at the request of SCM, who knows me so well.
01 December 2010
Clinique Superbalm Lip Treatment
This stuff sucks.
I don't think I've ever been quite so disappointed in a product. Ever. If you're just dying to spend 12 bucks on something that sits on your lips and feels greasy, just go buy 6 tubs of Vaseline. It'll last a lot longer, and I'm betting it'll work better. If you're wanting something, though, that lives up to the promise that Clinique makes about their lip treatment, ("Deeply hydrating balm that helps to repair distressed lips and replenishes moisture loss.") then skip the Clinique counter and head over to Philosophy for their Hope in a Tube Eye & Lip Cream. As an added bonus, it fights wrinkles, too.
I don't think I've ever been quite so disappointed in a product. Ever. If you're just dying to spend 12 bucks on something that sits on your lips and feels greasy, just go buy 6 tubs of Vaseline. It'll last a lot longer, and I'm betting it'll work better. If you're wanting something, though, that lives up to the promise that Clinique makes about their lip treatment, ("Deeply hydrating balm that helps to repair distressed lips and replenishes moisture loss.") then skip the Clinique counter and head over to Philosophy for their Hope in a Tube Eye & Lip Cream. As an added bonus, it fights wrinkles, too.
REN Skincare
I've been using these products for quite a few months now, and I was reserving judgment until I was certain, one way or another, how I felt about them. Now, I can comfortably say that I love them. I have "problem skin," and though I'm reluctant to admit that my skin is high-maintenance, I don't know why I should be surprised. I mean, everything about me is high-maintenance, right?
The products are made using organic, natural ingredients and fewer chemicals. There are no sulfates, no fragrances, no parabens, dyes, or animal byproducts. Every ingredient is plant-derived. Also, the company is green and they not only recycle, but they also donate a portion of the proceeds to promote a healthier environment.
So, yeah, the products are touchy-feely, and you get sorta' warm and fuzzy when you think about all the good you're doing by buying them. That's nice, right, but do they work? YES.
My favorite product is my cleanser: Mayblossom Balancing Cleanser Gel. I use it along with my Clarisonic, and I love that after I wash my face, my skin feels completely clean, but not at all dry or tight.
I'm also a big fan of the F10 Enzymatic Smooth Radiance Facial Mask. It promises to exfoliate and detoxify, and leave your complexion smoother...and guess what? It does. The mask also contains Vitamin C, which is super good for your skin because it apparently combats free radicals (I don't even know what those are, but they just sound dangerous).
I've used so many skincare lines through the years, and the one thing that they all seem to have in common is inconsistency. Maybe one will work for a few days, or even a whole month or so, but inevitably, I begin to have the same problems I've always had: enlarged pores, sporadic break-outs, and dry spots around eyes and below my nose. I haven't had a break-out in months, and I'm definitely starting to notice a real difference in my pores. My laugh lines and crow's feet are diminishing, too. I think the key, though, is the combo of REN's products with the Clarisonic. REN works alright by itself, but alone, the results are nothing like what they are when I use them with the Clarisonic.
There are several other products that I'm dying to try, so I'll report back when I do.
The products are made using organic, natural ingredients and fewer chemicals. There are no sulfates, no fragrances, no parabens, dyes, or animal byproducts. Every ingredient is plant-derived. Also, the company is green and they not only recycle, but they also donate a portion of the proceeds to promote a healthier environment.
So, yeah, the products are touchy-feely, and you get sorta' warm and fuzzy when you think about all the good you're doing by buying them. That's nice, right, but do they work? YES.
My favorite product is my cleanser: Mayblossom Balancing Cleanser Gel. I use it along with my Clarisonic, and I love that after I wash my face, my skin feels completely clean, but not at all dry or tight.
I'm also a big fan of the F10 Enzymatic Smooth Radiance Facial Mask. It promises to exfoliate and detoxify, and leave your complexion smoother...and guess what? It does. The mask also contains Vitamin C, which is super good for your skin because it apparently combats free radicals (I don't even know what those are, but they just sound dangerous).
I've used so many skincare lines through the years, and the one thing that they all seem to have in common is inconsistency. Maybe one will work for a few days, or even a whole month or so, but inevitably, I begin to have the same problems I've always had: enlarged pores, sporadic break-outs, and dry spots around eyes and below my nose. I haven't had a break-out in months, and I'm definitely starting to notice a real difference in my pores. My laugh lines and crow's feet are diminishing, too. I think the key, though, is the combo of REN's products with the Clarisonic. REN works alright by itself, but alone, the results are nothing like what they are when I use them with the Clarisonic.
There are several other products that I'm dying to try, so I'll report back when I do.
30 June 2010
Givenchy
Photo'Perfexion Fluid Foundation
Alright, I admit it: I’m capricious when it comes to my makeup. I’ll use something for a day or two, decide that I love it, and then rave about it, only to be proven wrong after about a week and a half. Such is the case, recently, with my foundation. I was using philosophy’s the supernatural makeup, which initially attracted me because it's a hybrid liquid/mineral makeup. After three months with it, I can say that I’ve made the informed decision to dislike it. It’s too thick and just unattractive, not to mention that the only shade that came close to matching my skin tone was WAY yellow. I felt bad about not using it once I’d bought it, though, so I used it all up ‘til it was gone. Such a good girl.
Enter, Givenchy. Yes, I’ve only used it for a day, so yes, you’re likely to be reading about my disdain for it in a month or so, but… Right now, I really like it. The texture is silky and smooth, not so thick that it won’t spread evenly, but not so thin that it doesn’t cover adequately. The coverage, actually, is pretty remarkable, especially given that it doesn’t look mask-like. It’s now 3:50 p.m., and it hasn’t worn off at all since I put it on this morning. The color is a MUCH better match for me, too.
The best part, though, is really unexpected: it smells SO good! I’ve never really noticed what my foundation smelled like before, but this just smells really fresh and…pretty (for lack of a better word).
Alright, I admit it: I’m capricious when it comes to my makeup. I’ll use something for a day or two, decide that I love it, and then rave about it, only to be proven wrong after about a week and a half. Such is the case, recently, with my foundation. I was using philosophy’s the supernatural makeup, which initially attracted me because it's a hybrid liquid/mineral makeup. After three months with it, I can say that I’ve made the informed decision to dislike it. It’s too thick and just unattractive, not to mention that the only shade that came close to matching my skin tone was WAY yellow. I felt bad about not using it once I’d bought it, though, so I used it all up ‘til it was gone. Such a good girl.
Enter, Givenchy. Yes, I’ve only used it for a day, so yes, you’re likely to be reading about my disdain for it in a month or so, but… Right now, I really like it. The texture is silky and smooth, not so thick that it won’t spread evenly, but not so thin that it doesn’t cover adequately. The coverage, actually, is pretty remarkable, especially given that it doesn’t look mask-like. It’s now 3:50 p.m., and it hasn’t worn off at all since I put it on this morning. The color is a MUCH better match for me, too.
The best part, though, is really unexpected: it smells SO good! I’ve never really noticed what my foundation smelled like before, but this just smells really fresh and…pretty (for lack of a better word).
30 April 2010
Ulta v. Sephora
I went to Ulta last weekend. Accidentally. I had been to Sephora already, but I forgot to buy the one thing that I went to Sephora to buy (though I more than made up for it in impulse purchases). Sephora is pretty far from my house, but there's an Ulta nearby. I'd never been to one, but I've heard they're basically the same.
WRONG.
Ulta was dark and kind of dirty. Everything was quite disorganized, and I had trouble finding anything. They were out of lots of stuff, so once I found the right area, I was still left digging through a bunch of mis-shelved crap, looking for what was really supposed to be there. To make matters worse, the employees just sort of stood around chatting with each other and never even asked me if I needed help. When I finally asked one of them if she'd help me find an item, she looked at me like I was *really* inconveniencing her.
Needless to say, I won't be back.
Except, the item I purchased (the Anastasia brown pen, below): I have to return it. It worked great for about 2 days, and then it stopped working. Clearly, the thing had been sitting there so long that it got old and dried out! Ugh. Very unsatisfied customer.
WRONG.
Ulta was dark and kind of dirty. Everything was quite disorganized, and I had trouble finding anything. They were out of lots of stuff, so once I found the right area, I was still left digging through a bunch of mis-shelved crap, looking for what was really supposed to be there. To make matters worse, the employees just sort of stood around chatting with each other and never even asked me if I needed help. When I finally asked one of them if she'd help me find an item, she looked at me like I was *really* inconveniencing her.
Needless to say, I won't be back.
Except, the item I purchased (the Anastasia brown pen, below): I have to return it. It worked great for about 2 days, and then it stopped working. Clearly, the thing had been sitting there so long that it got old and dried out! Ugh. Very unsatisfied customer.
26 April 2010
never let them see you shine
by philosophy
I’ve been using these products (the scrub and the primer) for a few weeks now. My face has finally cleared up (thank you, purity made simple and Clarisonic Face Brush), but I was noticing that I’m VERY shiny. I think it has to do with the temperature heating up out here. I don’t know. Anyway, I don’t like it. I feel like I spend about half my day staring into a mirror and holding a compact, and powdering my nose.
I love the scrub, especially. The primer doesn’t really work unless I use the scrub, too. So, here’s my ritual:
NIGHT: purity made simple cleanser; on a clear day treatment gel
MORNING: never let them see you shine scrub, on a clear day gel, hope in a bottle moisturizer, never let them see you shine primer. Followed by makeup.
So far, so good. It’s 1:30 p.m., and I haven’t powdered since I left home this morning. Only minor shine around my nose.
I’ve been using these products (the scrub and the primer) for a few weeks now. My face has finally cleared up (thank you, purity made simple and Clarisonic Face Brush), but I was noticing that I’m VERY shiny. I think it has to do with the temperature heating up out here. I don’t know. Anyway, I don’t like it. I feel like I spend about half my day staring into a mirror and holding a compact, and powdering my nose.
I love the scrub, especially. The primer doesn’t really work unless I use the scrub, too. So, here’s my ritual:
NIGHT: purity made simple cleanser; on a clear day treatment gel
MORNING: never let them see you shine scrub, on a clear day gel, hope in a bottle moisturizer, never let them see you shine primer. Followed by makeup.
So far, so good. It’s 1:30 p.m., and I haven’t powdered since I left home this morning. Only minor shine around my nose.
Anastasia Brow Pen
I should probably have blogged about this product a long time ago, since Amanda introduced me to it at Christmas. It’s now my go-to brow liner. The reason I prefer it over pencil liners and powders is simple: it actually looks like eyebrows and not like pencil or shadow. The thin little tip is perfect for drawing individual hairs, and the two shades are so neutral that you don’t have to worry about your brows not matching your hair. Thanks, Amanda!
26 March 2010
Clinique All About Eyes
Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage
A birthday gift from Amanda, along with the cutest little makeup bag you've ever seen (mine is red and lives in my purse, where it took the place of about three other smaller bags).
This is some amazing stuff. It sort of tingles when you apply it, and after about 15 minutes, those awful eye bags that I wake up with are GONE. Seriously. Thanks, Amanda!
A birthday gift from Amanda, along with the cutest little makeup bag you've ever seen (mine is red and lives in my purse, where it took the place of about three other smaller bags).
This is some amazing stuff. It sort of tingles when you apply it, and after about 15 minutes, those awful eye bags that I wake up with are GONE. Seriously. Thanks, Amanda!
27 February 2010
Clarisonic Face Brush
Got mine yesterday (happy birthday to me, a month early...thank you Mama!). I had to charge it all night, so I couldn't use it until this morning. My, oh my. I love it. I'm hopeful that my skin will benefit from it, and that my pores will go AWAY soon. The only drawback thus far is really minimal: when I wash my nose, the vibrating makes me sneeze.
Living proof.
full thickening cream
To be honest, I'm not altogether sure why I bought this product. I walked into Sephora with a specific purpose, but then saw these adorable little bottles all standing in little lines, so I was intrigued. Amanda, I thought of you instantly, because they will blend perfectly with your bathroom decor.
Also, my hair is curly, but it's pretty fine...and it's much flatter out here in Arizona, what with the lack of humidity and all. So, I thought it could possibly benefit from some body and volume.
While I was talking to the Sephora lady about it, she told me that I shouldn't use it with any other products that contain silicone. The leave-in conditioner that I've been using for over a decade, and which I love (Biosilk Silk Therapy) does contain silicone. Sad face. But, luckily for me, Living proof makes a leave-in conditioner, too.
It's called frizz (only I can't figure out how to use the strikethrough function, so just imagine that it's there). So far, I love both products. My hair is fuller, but it's not enormous, just normal. The other great thing is that the product doesn't make my hair hard, and it doesn't flake. It just feels like hair, and the more I run my fingers through it, the more body it seems to have. It also takes care of the flyaways that I used to have, and it makes the horrible cowlick in the front of my hair controllable.
To be honest, I'm not altogether sure why I bought this product. I walked into Sephora with a specific purpose, but then saw these adorable little bottles all standing in little lines, so I was intrigued. Amanda, I thought of you instantly, because they will blend perfectly with your bathroom decor.
Also, my hair is curly, but it's pretty fine...and it's much flatter out here in Arizona, what with the lack of humidity and all. So, I thought it could possibly benefit from some body and volume.
While I was talking to the Sephora lady about it, she told me that I shouldn't use it with any other products that contain silicone. The leave-in conditioner that I've been using for over a decade, and which I love (Biosilk Silk Therapy) does contain silicone. Sad face. But, luckily for me, Living proof makes a leave-in conditioner, too.
It's called frizz (only I can't figure out how to use the strikethrough function, so just imagine that it's there). So far, I love both products. My hair is fuller, but it's not enormous, just normal. The other great thing is that the product doesn't make my hair hard, and it doesn't flake. It just feels like hair, and the more I run my fingers through it, the more body it seems to have. It also takes care of the flyaways that I used to have, and it makes the horrible cowlick in the front of my hair controllable.
17 February 2010
kiss me tonight
This is philosophy's version of Neosporin Lip Health. Unlike the drug store product, this one works. Love it.
kiss me
by philosophy
I don't need to discuss again that I'm on a never-ending quest for a product that will stop my lips from peeling. Well, I'm not sure yet whether this product will stop it, but it certainly makes the flaky skin go away.
It's a lip exfoliator, and it tastes like sugar...so I'm guessing that it has sugar in it. I have to stop myself from licking it off my lips.
In addition to scratching off the flaky skin, it also conditions and makes my lips soft. I'm a fan.
I don't need to discuss again that I'm on a never-ending quest for a product that will stop my lips from peeling. Well, I'm not sure yet whether this product will stop it, but it certainly makes the flaky skin go away.
It's a lip exfoliator, and it tastes like sugar...so I'm guessing that it has sugar in it. I have to stop myself from licking it off my lips.
In addition to scratching off the flaky skin, it also conditions and makes my lips soft. I'm a fan.
29 January 2010
Neosporin Lip Health
(the one in the little tub, not the one in the tube)
Hmmm. Well, Arizona is dry; hence, my lips are always dry. I was at Walgreen’s buying shampoo, and my lips had actually bled that day because they were so chapped…so I decided to be economical (for once) and buy something to heal them. Neosporin Lip Health looked the most promising, so I gave it a go.
First of all, it feels like lotion on my lips. In case you’ve never had that feeling, and in case you’re wondering, it’s not altogether pleasant. Also, it doesn’t really soak in all that quickly, and it doesn’t taste all that great. So I sort of sat around, waiting for it to absorb – meanswhile, I was utterly unable to drink or eat anything or lick my lips (because I didn’t want to taste it). Now, granted, I didn’t completely follow the directions because I didn’t wait for bedtime to apply. It is listed as an “overnight” product, but seriously, my lips were hurting during the day!
Even after I used it correctly, I still didn’t notice all that much of a difference. I’m still using it at night because I have it, and I figure that maybe it’ll keep me from getting those little wrinkles around my mouth. But barring some drastic development between now and the time I run out, I won’t be purchasing it again. My mouth just doesn’t respond positively to drug store makeup, apparently. Fine with me: more reason to go to Sephora/Nordstrom/Barney’s.
Hmmm. Well, Arizona is dry; hence, my lips are always dry. I was at Walgreen’s buying shampoo, and my lips had actually bled that day because they were so chapped…so I decided to be economical (for once) and buy something to heal them. Neosporin Lip Health looked the most promising, so I gave it a go.
First of all, it feels like lotion on my lips. In case you’ve never had that feeling, and in case you’re wondering, it’s not altogether pleasant. Also, it doesn’t really soak in all that quickly, and it doesn’t taste all that great. So I sort of sat around, waiting for it to absorb – meanswhile, I was utterly unable to drink or eat anything or lick my lips (because I didn’t want to taste it). Now, granted, I didn’t completely follow the directions because I didn’t wait for bedtime to apply. It is listed as an “overnight” product, but seriously, my lips were hurting during the day!
Even after I used it correctly, I still didn’t notice all that much of a difference. I’m still using it at night because I have it, and I figure that maybe it’ll keep me from getting those little wrinkles around my mouth. But barring some drastic development between now and the time I run out, I won’t be purchasing it again. My mouth just doesn’t respond positively to drug store makeup, apparently. Fine with me: more reason to go to Sephora/Nordstrom/Barney’s.
Dior Serum de Rouge Lipstick
Amanda gave me a tube of this (color # 710) because she wasn’t a huge fan of it. All things considered, I agree. I love the color, but the lipstick itself is nothing special (which hurts me to say about any Dior product). I wear it over my Dior Lip Maximizer, though, and it does fine.
LipFusion INFATUATION
I am, in general, a huge fan of LipFusion products. My favorite is the regular, non-tinted lip plumper (which is not a lip plumper at all, because I don’t use lip plumpers, and I love this product). When I was home at Christmas, I went shopping (and movie-watching) in the freezing weather with Amanda and Rebecca. Of course – of course – we stopped at Sephora, and I picked up a tube of INFATUATION, in Full Frontal (not lying, that really is the name of the color).
The color is fantastic: a sort of coral/neutral that becomes a little less intense after you wear it for about 15 minutes and turns to a very pretty, daytime color. Sephora bills the product as follows: “Discover the first liquid lip color with extraordinary Amplifat™ technology to increase and maintain body fat just where you need it most!” I don’ t know about all that, but I can say that it’s a nice lipgloss, though I notice no plumping whatsoever. I do notice, though, that it doesn’t clump together, the color doesn’t bleed, and the gloss lasts a while (considering that it’s gloss).
The color is fantastic: a sort of coral/neutral that becomes a little less intense after you wear it for about 15 minutes and turns to a very pretty, daytime color. Sephora bills the product as follows: “Discover the first liquid lip color with extraordinary Amplifat™ technology to increase and maintain body fat just where you need it most!” I don’ t know about all that, but I can say that it’s a nice lipgloss, though I notice no plumping whatsoever. I do notice, though, that it doesn’t clump together, the color doesn’t bleed, and the gloss lasts a while (considering that it’s gloss).
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