First Haul of 2012

Yay, Happy New Year & all that jazz!

It's back to work tomorrow after a too-short break away from the kiddos, so I thought I'd help the wounds by shopping. Apparently, everyone else in my town thought the same.....woof.

I headed to Victoria's Secret for their semi-annual sale before going to Old Navy and Ulta. A mini spree, yes, but I'm still stoked about the goods!

Shall we just skip the VS portion of the shopping trip? I think so...
Oh, and let's forget the fact that I lost my camera cord and had to take these with my trusty iPhone.

OLD NAVY
Striped Sweater -- Not entirely sure what drew me in about this seeing as how it is bright and has stripes, but nevertheless, I love it now. A bit of nautical, a bit of prep, perfect for work!
Twisted Neck Top -- I picked it up merely because it was cheap, but the effect of the "twist" around the neckline is really cute, and again, stripes! Sensing a pattern....no pun intended.
Bobble Bottle -- Thanks to my blogging buddy AlmostBritain for telling me about these! I will (hopefully) be able to keep h2o bottles out of my car by using this bad boy which filters the water for you. Woot woot! Found it by the check-out at ON, couldn't resist!

ULTA
*Thanks to my dear, dear friend in FL who got me an Ulta giftcard for Christmas. She just knows me, that one!!*
Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Zero -- Finally! I got one! I went to see if they had the NAKED liner set from the holidays, but alas, it was sold out. Bummer. Still, I knew I needed to add one of these bad boys to my arsenal and the one I picked up was the last Zero, so it was really fate calling out to me. Obviously.
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion -- Have used this before but was bone dry on my last bottle. I am slightly addicted to this stuff even though my skin problems are (usually) non-existent. This stuff works, though, for those "ahhhh" moments around the time of the month.
Revlon Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie -- (Another) finally! I have been looking for these everywhere and could never find them. I was entirely unsure of what color to get, but this raspberry hue looks rich and perfect for the winter months. I may have to review this bad boy, more to come perhaps.
Sally Hansen Salon Effects in Love Letter -- Could not pass this "color" up when I saw it; very newspaper nails but without the work/mess! Clearly anything that looks like it took time but didn't is a winner in my lazy-ass book.
Urban Decay Mini De-Slick Setting Spray -- Running low on my "All-Nighter" spray and thought I'd give "De-Slick" another chance. I could use some oil control as of late so hopefully this work better than the classic spray.

There you have it, a haul to start off the new year right! As a side note, you should definitely hit up your nearest VS for their semi-annual sale. Ridiculously good deals! I got eight items for $100....and let's be real, ladies, most bras there retail for at least $75 -- and who doesn't love a great sale?!


Until next time, I hope your new year is also starting off wonderfully............

November Favorites

Yes, I'm still alive! I know it's only been a week but dear gawwwd it's felt like ages since I've checked up on everyone's blogs (and my own!) and this is one of the things in my life that keeps me sane, so you can only imagine how crazed I am! This past week was out of control and it is great to take this time to catch my breath and blog a bit!

Now that December is here, I thought I'd share some monthly favorites!

1. "Dirty" Chai Tea Latte - Take a chai tea latte, add vanilla & a shot of espresso (or two), and you just made one dirty but delicious drink! It's the perfect blend, trust me on this one, I'm an sbux whore after all (or just a whore dating a barista, whichever....)
**Perhaps I should do a new 'bux drink every month seeing as how I did a drink last month!**

2. New Ink - Obviously a favorite considering I got them in the beginning of this month. I am so in love with my new roman numerals and feather. Plus, they gave me another reason to buy new tops for work to cover them, even though I don't really have to, considering my tats are not naked women or swear words.

3. Dermalogica's Daily Mircofoliant - My skin was all sorts of "blah" this month -- sometimes dry, sometimes oily, sometimes downright miserable. This kept my skin from going full-blown hideous on me, thank the good skincare lords.

4. Florence + The Machine's Ceremonials - SUCH a fantastic album, it was on my iPod non-stop....and a group of students may or may not (read may) have caught me belting out to it on the way to school one morning. "So you like to sing in the car Miss Smith? That's hot." -- Good thing I have no shame.

5. Colorful Beanie - A favorite towards the end of the month, yes, but damnit I love this hat already, I wore it as often as I could! I was tempted to say "yes, of course!" to those few who have asked me if I made it myself, but let's be real, SS has no real talents like that. Only $5 from F21, though, so at least I have the talent of noticing a good bargain! (sorry for the blurry photo of it)

6. Covergirl Eyebrow Pencil in Soft Brown - My eyebrows are practically invisible against my face, thanks natural blonde hair. This one matches perfectly to my new darker hue, to the point where people who know about my blonde brows will say, "Genius idea to color your brows to match." Yeah, I would never actually color my brows, that seems too dangerous to me (says the girl who has gone to get her lashes tinted......but hey, those bad boys are invisible, too!)

There you have it, my favorite products/items/whatevers for the eleventh month of the year. Let's hope the last month of 2011 is a fantastically beautiful one! Here's to 20-ish days until Santa comes......SANTA?! I KNOW HIM!!! (couldn't resist!)

Until next time, I look forward to reading about your favorites for this month!.........

a REAL superficial sanctuary...

I am BACK to be a beauty blogger, imagine that! Well, a sort of beauty blogger. Let's hop into it!

Am I one in a long line of people who all want this vanity set but just doesn't want to shell out the money for it?
No? I'm the only one?
Whatever. Now I bet you've added yourself to the list ;)

In its place (for nowwww), I have an Ikea desk and it suits me just fine. I recently got rid of a very small one and replaced it with the one in the below photo. I just reorganized my girl-tastic corner and thought I'd share my space-saving and organizational tips with you....most of them you've probably heard/seen on YouTube videos and/or other blogs, but perhaps I will have new, earth shattering tidbits for you.......or not, a girl can dream. I don't have nearly as much makeup as most "beauty bloggers" or "beauty gurus" (both terms I do not enjoy using for myself!), so if you have a shit ton of palettes or 1,586 single eye shadows or every flipping thing MAC has ever sold, it's best you look for someone else's tips....I'm just not that crazy. Yet.

{hell yes John Mayer looks at me everyday while I prepare myself....

if only I could say that literally, but that may upset SSB.}

1. Keep main makeup/skincare in view.
It may be that I wake up well before the sun and don't even speak until I order my Starbucks in the morning (unless I talk to myself while getting ready....which happens sometimes a lot), but I like my makeup out in the open where I can grab it, put it on, and goooo. I bought a clear makeup case from Target, the ones with all the little compartments. My main makeup goes in this clear case, along with other random items I may find myself needing last minute (extra concealers, eye brushes, lip balms, etc. for the days where I wake up an go, "gahhhh who is this monster beast?!"). I keep my morning/nighttime skincare products off to the side but still out in the open, as well, so I can easily grab them. The cute drawers become cumbersome for products you use every single day.

{if we're being honest, I hate YouRebel, do not use the two foundations to the far right, or either brush in the clear case.....you caught me, pot calling the kettle black. WHATEVS!}

2. Compartmentalize according to product.
A no-brainer. I have 3 drawers (all from Target, about $6 bucks each I believe!) which all have three compartments (that's nine in total, non-math kiddos) and I separate like such.....
--Blushes (liquid and powder)
--Lipsticks & Lip balms
--Separate, Single Eyeshadows
--Mini Eye Palettes
--Powders & Bronzers
--Extra Foundations
--Eyeliners (pencils, gels, liquids)
--Highlighters & Illuminzers
--Makeup Remover Towelettes and Baby Shampoo (towelettes to clean my vanity; shampoo to clean my brushes)
**I keep the "main" products at eye level for easier access. I rarely use lipsticks so I put them in the top compartment, off to the side. Same with my highlighters and extra foundations --those are all in the white drawer that's on the far right.
**My bigger eye palettes are on a vintage side table that sits lower & goes underneath my vanity -- didn't think to take a picture of that, sorry!

 

3. Buy a Cottonball & Q-Tip holder (as well as a brush holder)
Seriously, a life-saver. I bought mine at Target in the bath section and I love it. I can easily fix makeup smudges, apply my toner, or perfect my manicures because of this little contraption without dealing with the crappy bags/boxes they come in. Really, have it on your vanity...just like using a toner, there is no exception here! I keep the bags for easy refills under the little top tier (far right in photo).
I bought two white buckets with bows from the dollar Easter section at Target this past April and keep my extra brushes in them, off to the side (again). My main brushes are in a thick glass container that is filled with sand and glass beads (both in the vase section as they are called "vase fillers" -- genius, I know) to keep the brushes upright and separated...I already had the vase at my place, so find one around your own place or invest in some sort of container to keep your brushes in. Don't let them touch very often because that spreads germs quickly (even though all the germs are your germs...love-el-ly thought, I know!)

 

4. Keep it cute.
If my entire bedroom is a disaster, my vanity will still be pristine. You do your makeup here, perhaps your morning/nighttime skincare routine (I do after I've washed my face in my bathroom/shower), so it should be pretty, just like you! I keep it clean always (hence the towelettes mentioned above), add some candles, some real (or faux!) flowers, or just little pretty touches here and there to keep it fun.....after all, if you're sitting at a pretty vanity, you'll instantly feel prettier, no? At least that's what I try to keep in mind!

So, to put it simply, keep main products within easy reach and in plain sight, extra pieces off to the side or at least not in front of your daily products, and keep it cute....after all, it's your "girl-tastic" space, your own superficial sanctuary...so make it a good (and gorgeous) one!

I know much of this was not new, but still bears repeating, right? Maybe. Well, I repeated it anyways, miss rude pants!
Doing my makeup has become much more fun now that everything has a place and it looks put together. I remember the days in college where I'd be doing my makeup in front of a mirror in my poorly-lit bathroom, all of my makeup just shoved into a makeup bag.....ugh, I shudder at the thought now that I have my own little space. Now if only I could get my hands on that gawww-ghus vanity! I don't own enough makeup and products (YET!) to make such a vanity all that useful, though. ONE day, though, one day......


Until next time, good luck revamping your own beauty-full space....let me know if you have any fun tips, too, as I love hearing them!

Fav-tober Time!

NOVEMBER BEMBER WEMBER!
Is it me or did that just make me sound like I was talking in a baby voice? Maybe? Sorry, not my intention, not trying to pull a Khloe Kardashian Odom moment here!

Hi friends! Happy first day of November, or as I like to see it, "54 days until Christmas" or even "54 days to figure out what the hell to buy everyone without going broke!" (My pal, The Procrastinator titled her blog posts for her favorites as this, futher proving we are long-lost friends -- also proving I wrote this as a draft....blast, I've been caught. This is me.............not caring, though. At least I came back to update it with something fun at the end!....maybe?)

Anywhoooo, I am very lazy this week (hello, wrote this as a draft, after all!) and have created a somewhat lackluster list of what I lusted after (see what I did there?!) this month.
On the whole lazy kick, too, I totes stole these photos from Google....I mean, I just wasn't into taking creative photos for four favorites......my bad, bloggers, my bad. At least I put them into a nice collage for you?!

OCTOBER FAVORITES

1. Fit Me! Blush in Deep Rose- Great buildable color, goes well with my new hair hue! NARS Orgasm took a backseat this month.
2. Salted Carmel White Mocha Latte - I don't even need to explain why this is a favorite....just read the freaking name. (It's orginally just mocha, but I despise that bitter flavor, so I opt in for the sweeter white mocha instead!) I get it without the whip, though, seeing as how I cannot stomach whipped cream from Starbucks. SSB is the one who told me to swap out the mocha for the white mocha....he just gets me, that boy.
3. Toasted & Hustle from NAKED - I wore these colors for most of the month, easy to swipe on, good colors for late fall.
4. Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster - Lifesaver, period. End of story. Damn you colder temps! I recommend this for anyone having less-than-wonderful dry skin issues. (Totes stole the bottle from my sis after using the sample packet...whatevs.)

BONUS! (not photographed)
5. My New "Vanity" - I got a bigger desk to act as a vanity and it has so much more space for all things girly. I love it. I actually will be doing a post on said vanity and random organization tips, so look for that this week!

I'll leave you with a photo of my new 'do that I just got done today! -- this is my (or my stylist's) third attempt at a new color ...I went about 5 or 6 weeks since the last one (and I really did love the last color choice) but decided I wanted to do more brown than red this time around....more "espresso" than "red velvet" (I don't know, what other food is red?!)........aaaand this is the result!

 {old hair photo is my previous color faded about six weeks, my bad!}
{sorry for the bad photos, using the ol' iPhone....}

Happy November everyone. I look forward to the next four and a half fantabulous weeks, so bring it on eleventh month of the year!

Until next time, farewell lovahs.......



Trick-Or-Treat : Halloween Beauty

I have already mentioned this holiday in other posts, considering SSB & I were practically hopeless in finding a costume this year, but we did find ones finally & I'll be sure to share the photos with you in due time, but today I'd thought I'd share some of the beauty items that surround this hellish holiday. Some are things I am frightened of and others are items that I am batty over.....yeah, I did just used TWO puns in that last sentence. You're jealous, I know, it's fine, I understand.....

{I'd clearly make for one horrible vampire/zombie hybrid...}

TRICKS
Face Makeup from Halloween Stores - UGH, as much as I love a good face of fright on Halloween, I refuse to use the makeup that comes in those plastic-wrapped concoctions sold at Halloween stores all over. I don't care how "white" it will make me my skeleton face or vampire skin, I will not use it! It's packed with more shit than Casey Anthony's trial and I don't want to start November with a disgusting excuse for a face.

Rubber Masks - First of all, I don't like having a mask on for Halloween because it inhibits my drinking ability....something you really do have to consider when you make a killer witch's brew! Honestly, how many times have you "tried on" the mask so your friend can snap a photo of you and tag you on Facebook? Yeah, well, multiply that by, oh I don't know, TWENTY and that's how many people have also done the same thing....meaning you're rocking a rubber mask all night that's covered in other people's grossness. Did I just make you uncomfortable? Good, because it make me uncomfortable thinking about it, too! Avoid a mask if you can...and if you can't, sanitize the SHIT out of that thing before you wear it....and give your skin breaks, too, during the night or you'll be regretting that sweat fest in the morning. The only time a mask is acceptable is for those college gals who need to make the "walk of shame" back to their place in the morning after their romp in the sheets with the one of the "Village People" they met the night before. God, I miss seeing those hot messes! I was never one of them.....nope, definitely not, never.

TREATS
Sally Hansen Salon Effects in Limited Edition Halloween - A super adorable and fashion-friendly way to show off your holiday spirit! My personal favorites are  Numbskull, Ghoulie Girl, and Spun on You (I checked to make sure...it's just webs, no spider drawings, phew!)

False Lashes - The perfect excuse to look like a hot tranny mess and you're going to pass up on the most ridiculous falsies? Bad move, sister. This is such a great and easy way to amp up your Halloween face, and with so many to try (NYX, Revlon, etc.), there's no way you can't find a pair to complete your peacock or can-can dancer look. I don't know, they were the first two costumes that made me think, "Yeah, bitch, you need yourself some falsies!" The crazier, the longer, the faker, the better!

There you have it, two TRICKS and two TREATS to bring you into the holiday - I look forward to seeing everyone's costumes online as the parties get underway!

I'll leave you with the recipe of the Witch's Brew SSB & I brought last year to our shindig and will being doing the same this year....so tasty! We bought a plastic cauldron and a fake bloody hand and glued the hand to the top of the cauldron, which held the spoon. Oh, stop, I know, we're genius ;) Not really, but we thought we were being crafty! We also thought it was crafty to buy body part gummies to put in the brew....until they grew huge and were so soggy they were nearly inedible. I mean, we're not pros in the craft department, people, give us a break......

WITCH'S BREW
--1 (6 oz.) package of lime gelatin
--2 cups of boiling water 
--3 cups of chilled pineapple juice
--1 (2 liter) bottle of chilled Sprite/Sierra Mist/Ginger Ale
--2 cups chilled vodka (....or, you know, 5 cups works too)
Directions: Pour gelatin into large bowl, stir in the boiling water & keep stirring for about 2 minutes (work it out!).  After it's completely dissolved, stir in the pineapple juice. Add chilled bottle of soda pop and vodka, mix until blended. Super easy!!


Until next time, farewell ghoulish gals (ok, this post has had far too many puns and cheesy statements!)...........

August Favorites!

In the beginning of August, there is so much summer left to be had.
Come the middle of August, I still get pissed off by back-to-school commercials slighting what amount of summer is left.
By the last week of August, I am full-speed-ahead into fall and, instead, pissed off it took so long to get here even though it isn't, by calendar status, actually here yet.


It's an odd transition, and perhaps you're all the same, too, but with the end of August comes not only the new feeling of fall, but favorites of this summer month, as well!

1. Waterproof Bronzer - With sweat, the pool, the ocean, or any "wet" activity (that sounded dirty, I assure you I mean well without being a skank!) comes the need for a makeup to stand the test of whatever you throw it's way. My Tarte bronzer blended wonderfully and stayed put when I needed it most, which was during those hot, hot days where sweat comes off of you like rain. Yeah, I said it, you've been there, too!

2. Revlon's Coralberry Lipstick - Mary (Little Ramblings), if you're reading, THANK YOU! You posted about how you just bought this shade and I was at Target the same day buying pre-vacation snacks when I just had to see if it was there. This shade is fan-freaking-tastic and I have used it just about everyday I'm not slaving away as a nanny. SUCH a pretty color that is super fun but still natural. Check it out if you don't have it already. Trust me, you need this color!

3. Neutrogena Body Wash - Nothing makes me feel quite as clean or relaxed as Neutrogena's Grapefruit Body Wash. I don't really have issue with my skin, but if I'm giving my face medicinal loving, then my skin from the neck down should receive the same treatment, am I right? Turning to this scrub is perfect for when I need to feel refreshed after a day of nannying and doing little boys' laundry, which always faintly smells of dirt and piss.....yeah, I never said my summer job was glamorous! This wash brings me out of nanny mode and back into "me" mode...girly and clean.

4. Kiehl's Toner - I haven’t done a review on this (and now there may be no need) but here’s a speedy SS one for you….this shit is awesome, buy it, end of story. I have used it on cotton pads, toilet paper, my hands and dabbed it on my face (courtesy of a tip I got from my blogging buddy, the Procrastinator!) and no matter how I put it on, it works and feels great! Brings my skin to a nice balance, which is exactly what I needed this month! If you don't believe in needing a toner (much like I did), I assure you this toner will change your mind of that. Again, another must-buy for you!

5. Essie's Borrowed and Blue - I chip my nails like nobody's business. One tiny little crack in my polish and I go at it (and the rest of the untouched fingers) like a jackhammer....it's quite unlady like, I know. I love B&B so much that I actually fix the little cracks and chips before I let myself ruin the manicure entirely. That should prove to you my dedication to this cute little color! Going to need a bit of a darker shade for fall, so enter my "ring finger" color, OPI's Ski Teal We Drop :)

Soooo very much looking forward to what's in store for my favorites in the first fall month! Look out for plenty of season-changing posts, from fashion to makeup and everything in between. Teacher rants coming up again in due time, too!


Until next time, hope your August is wonderful and here's to an even better September..... 

Leaning about Ingredients (GUEST BLOGGER)

Hello, friends! As you know (or may not know - how rude of you!) I am currently on vacation. Woooohoooo! Be jealous ;)

However, my dear friend (who does not blog, but I still will consider her a "guest blogger") is going to be writing a post for me! I asked her bunches o' questions about the nasty ingredients we may not know are "bad" for us and she is now here on Superficial Sanctuary to tell you all you need to know the next time you go out to buy your favorites makeup and skincare products. I have dubbed her "The Ingredient Investigator." She has taught me a great deal about this topic and it's opened my eyes to what may be harming my skin (and the inside of me, as well!) So enough chit chat, let's get started!

We make for one sunny pair! 

"Ingredient Investigator" and "Superficial Sanctuary" @ Happy Hour!

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Hi, everyone! As Superficial already mentioned, I am the "Ingredient Investigator" but, really, I'm just a happily married southern girl (living up north now!) who loves her fair share of Starbucks and margaritas (who doesn't?!) I answered the following questions, but if you have any more for me, feel free to put them in the comments below! 

1. How did your investigative work begin? When, where, why?

Answer: My momma has always been a a health nut, not just with food, but all things related to keeping the body healthy & in its best form. I have followed her advice & 'strong' encouragement over the past years, mainly on the food side of things (ie what I put into my body) but recently thought, 'If it matters so much what I put inside, why not invest the same care for the outside?' So, I began digging. Not into my skin, haha, but into those tiny labels on the backs of my bodywashes, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, shaving gels, etc. What I found was gross & definitely disheartening. For so many years I considered myself to have sensitive, oily, breakout-prone skin. Come to find out, if I avoid the products that contain certain ingredients, then I can eliminate most if not all of my expensive, topical meds I had thought I needed these past years & enjoy glowing, happy skin. Not to mention, save my wallet. 

2. If you had to choose only five, which ingreidents would you choose?

Answer: Definitely the 5 parabens (butylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, methylparaben & propylparaben) but I can't just choose five! I have to include the 5 filthy friend, too! (diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, formaldehyde, methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) & methylisothiazolinone (MIT). It's just ten items....write them on a little index card & stow in a favorite purse or, better yet, a wallet...that way they'll always be close by when you shop!

3. What are skincare/makeup brands that gals should try to steer clear of the most? 

Answer: This may be a little broad of an answer, but I'd say most all the 'cheapy' make-up/skincare brands out there are bad choices. All it really takes is spending the time (we're talking a couple minutes) to read the ingredients list and comparing it to your list of 'naughties.' Trust me, your skin will thank you! 

4. Does your investigative work go beyond beauty products?

Answer: Sure does, as I already mentioned before! What we put in our bodies matters so much! I cannot stress this enough!!! If you want glowing skin & healthy hair, not to mention a long & healthy life, you've got to watch your diet. Now, I'm not talking one of those super restricted, tasteless, boring, lose-weight type of diets. My diet plan is simple. Same as the skincare/make-up, there are certain 'junks' we must avoid. Here is a list of the top ingredients I will absolutely not eat or buy foods that contain: sodium nitrates/nitrites (packaged deli meat), BHA &BHT, propyl gallate, MSG monosodium glutamate, trans fats, aspartame (diet soda), acesulfame-k, food coloring, olestra (tater chips), potassium bromate (breads), partially hydrogenated fats & oils (gross!), benziocacid 210, saccharin, high fructose corn syrup.

5. What are your current favorite skincare products? 

Answer: Right now I am loving 'Jason Organic shampoo's & conditioners' (not a skincare product, but still great!) as well as most, if not all, of the Bert's Bees products. Really wanting to check out 'Say Yes to Tomatoes' & all the other 'Say Yes' products out there. Superficial Sanctuary told me they are worth trying :)

6. What are your current favorite beauty/makeup products? 

Answer: I have a 'makeup budget' so, from drugstores, I like Physician's Formula. You still have to check the ingredient labels but overall they are clean & pure. Their organic line is  usually the best way to go. Also, a FANTASTIC resource is the 'Paraben Free Princess'...her blog is awesome & absolutely full of helpful, affordable & junk-free advice/products. She taught me a ton. Check her out for both skincare & makeup! (Link)

7. What is your best-kept beauty secret? Who did you get it from, if anyone?  

Answer: My Momma, of course! She has always told me beauty comes from the inside. So true! Who you are as a person as well as what you eat!

8. What is your worst beauty memory? 

Answer: When I was 16, just driving, I took myself to a tanning bed. It was almost prom time & I had a date I wanted to look pretty for. I figured the sun in the summer-time cleared my skin up, a tanning bed should do the same, right? The gal working there offered me some crazy-named lotion that would 'enhance' my tan, y'all know the kind.  'Sure' I said, thinking I'd come out looking great & with cleared-up, sun-kissed skin. NOPE. The 'junk' in the lotion broke my skin out terribly. I still went on my date however & am now married to that very 'date'! A little positive reminder; men don't notice half the things us females do ;) 

9. What is the ONE item you could not live without? 

Answer: Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum by Paula Begoen's resist line. This can be found at www.paulaschoice.com 

10. Any final words for the beauty readers out there? 

Answer: Smile! Laugh! Read those labels!!! 

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There you have it! Thank you to my dear friend for filling us in and giving us all a lesson on better health and beauty!

Totally up to you if you'd like to start living "The Ingredient Investigator" lifestyle, but your skin (and overall health) may thank you in the long run! I've tried picking up her tips and advice and, I'll admit, it isn't the easiest to do because some of my favorite brands have the naughty ingredients, but I have noticed a difference in my skin when eating better and using better skincare products. Best of luck to you in your ventures ;)

Do you have anymore tips? Share them below! Hope you enjoyed my first guest post! I also hope you are all having a wonderful week. See you soon enough!

Until next time, as always, farewell lovahs....

Superficial Review : Get Thirsty

It may have been the HH cocktails talking or perhaps just actual dehydration (from said cocktails....), but I had dreams last night.....about drinking water. No, no, not like dreams of me under waterfalls in wonderful lands, taking in all the freshness of the natural surroundings. An actual dream of yours truly, sitting at a plain desk, in a plain white room, chugging water bottle after water bottle. YEAH. It happened. Oddly enough (as if the dream itself wasn't the odd part!), I woke up after about the third chugged H2O bottle and went downstairs to drink.....vegetable juice.

I never cease to amaze myself.

Why talk about this dream and risk losing many followers out of the sheer fact that I am, in fact, not normal? Because it has to do with my latest review! Just go with me here, people.....

After a solid week (and some change) I have been using a new cleanser. In case you're new (welcome!) or just not too bright (sorry!), you should know that I love myself a good scrub. I need to feel the grit, the grime, the feeling of it sloughing away anything but pure beauty (ok, so I'm exaggerating here, whatevs).....but my new cleanser is the exact opposite!

I give you my review on..... 

IMMEDIATE THOUGHTS:

"What is that smell?!"
"Shit, I just got that up my nose, gross."

"Did I not use enough?" 

"Screw it, just wash it off."

"Oooh, I suddenly feel fresh."

PROS:

Clean-zee-ness (If you don't watch RHONJ you won't get that last word....sorry!) - This is truly a "purifying" cleanser in the sense that it doesn't have shit in it, it's got a clean track record! No parabens, no sulfates, no silicones, nadda. Definitely one of the best factors to this BB cleanser.

CONS:

Invisibility Cloak - I am an HP gal as much as the next bitch, but I am not so keen on my cleanser doing the disappearing act. (Cue H2O dream....) This feels like WATER, screw the "gel" name. It foams ever so lightly if I vigorously scrub my hands together with it before washing my face. It squirts out like I'm using a water gun and no offense, those things have pissed me off ever since they came in our "favor" bags at family reunions and my dad and brother just destroyed us with them and I was left with soaking wet clothes (add that to top-five pet peeves of all time!) 

GOOD FOR:
Those who have the occasional skin issue. It could potentially cause dryness for those with normal/dry skin, but I'm on the combo side and with the right moisturizer, I don't see an issue. If you have more than the occasional skin problems, this seems too weak to do the trick!

FINAL THOUGHTS:

It works.

You can't tell that it's working.

But it does work.

Because my skin is smooth.

The smell is still there.

But it isn't so bad anymore.

Unless you like smelling like an odd medicine.

Like bark and calamine lotion combined.

Yeah, that sounds about right.

FINAL GRADE: B+....the only reason this isn't getting my 100% teacher approval is because of the smell and it's non-foaming factor. I like water (as I've clearly displayed in my dreams) but not for a face wash. The smell is fine not a deal breaker, if I could just stop accidentally getting it up my nose (failure).

I give it a B+ because it's like a student I had that tried really hard to do well in my class, but then just seemed sort of like a douche when I'd see said student trying really hard to impress girls. Just do you work, don't annoy me (or high school skanks) in the process....got it Burt's Bees? Thanks.

I'll still use it, don't get me wrong, but I'm still on the hunt for a cleanser that is like Philosophy's Purity (which actually does have parabens in it....shit!) but does the work of a medicinal cleanser like my Yes To Tomatoes or Neutrogena scrubs. Here's to the search.....once my spending freeze is over. Damn. Any suggestions?

What are your thoughts on "water" cleansers? Or just on Burt's Bees products in general? I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments!

Does anyone else have odd water dreams or are you also plagued by water guns, small and/or large? No? No one? Really? Just me? Cool, cool.....

Until next time, happy bloggin' lovahs.....

HAUL (Beauty & Fashion)

So here's the thang, y'all. I really never say "y'all" first of all....and secondly, I had completely planned on doing a super fun haul video with all the wonderful things I bought instead of doing a long post, but then I realized....I started this as a writer, and I think I may convey my message just a taaaad better through writing on this one. I'll do my best to still make it entertaining, as always ;)

The haul crosses so many different places over the weekend and in the past two days, so here's the list: Forever21, Sephora, Nordstrom, Target, Walmart (hate this place!!), and even a grocery store (woah, SS, slow your jets!) You will be glad to know that I have, starting yesterday, put myself on a debit card spending freeze until I go on vacation. Yes, debit card freeze.....you have to keep the credit card for emergencies, no? Totally ;)

Let's begin with photos!

There are more fashion items that were not posted on F21's site and one of the bracelets is really just a stand-in for the real one I got, so let's hear it for F21 and their failed website of TOO MUCH SHIT that IS NOT IN STORES. I love a good deal at F21 as much as the next fashion whore, but really, "people's gotsta get their shit togetha" if they want to keep me as an avid shopper.

Eh, who am I kidding? I'll still go back. You probably will, too, let's not kid ourselves!

Ok, so beauty items! Yay, let's hear it for me and my NON-stick-to-it-approach on the whole PXP matter. I've hit a beauty rut, though, and this was necessary. After this haul, it really does appear as though I'm set on my beauty products for now. Really. I swear. This time I mean it.....honestly!

1. Nail Effects - Loved "Kitty, Kitty" the first time so I bought it again to put on my twinkle toes for the beach. Countdown = 18 days (not counting today!) Woohoo!
2. Tarte Bronzer - Waterproof AND matte, need I say more? Not sure how well it lasts on my face, but the humidity here may be to blame for its melt factor. Oh, and my high sweating issue in any temp above 85 degrees....lovely.
3.  Burt's Bees Purifying Gel Cleanser - Wait, what's that, SS? You're not using a scrub anymore?! You are correct, dear reader! I heard from the woman in Sephora that using a scrub on skin daily is safe is about as truthful as munchkins living in my closet stealing my missing clothes (ok, so she didn't say that but I did....) I have to agree with her, too, because it makes sense (who would have thought?!) I will still exfoliate up to 3x per week (duh), but we'll see how this new non-scrub regimen goes!
4. All-Nighter - Now, if I were a street walker and needed to be on the corner all night, this shit would be awesome. Really, though, I use it because it works and I need that in this dead heat of summer.
5. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Toner - Have never used Kiehl's and have not used a toner since college. I feel like I need one to help my lackluster skin as of late, and Kiehl's is a solid brand to try, so I went for it. Review to follow perhaps?
6. Jason Thin-To-Thick Shampoo - I really don't understand why I care so much about what I put on my face but neglect my hair products which may contain such crap. My friend (who I may pressure into guest blogging about this!) is super into all products that are made without her "list" of enemies. She was buying this brand while we went grocery shopping for food (apparently we just love shopping for anything these days!) and I saw this kind and was intrigued. Natural ingredients and promises to thicken my thin hair? Deal. Let you know what I think soon enough!

Onto the fash-e-on! (Did that come out like a French guy? It was meant to, anyways.....)
Note: Some of the items I had to actually photograph, totally killing my pretty Polyvore work, but the maxi just photographed terribly, but hey, it's another maxi, so we've all seen them, right? Right.

1&2. Headwraps - I wore a thin scarf wrapped around my head while I was down South on my first vacation of the summer and when I came across these, they had that turban effect that was so popular last fall (yeah, yeah, so I'm far behind, whatev!) I like to have something on my head at the beach or by the pool so it's not all flopping around, wet on my face....the wet dog look doesn't work for anyone, dah-ling! So one in paisley and one in cheetah, because why not match it to my nails and be a total loser, right?
3&4. Bracelets - The one on the top right IS the one I got and I love it! I saw it before in previous trips to F21 but never bought it until this last haul. It matched the dress I bought really well so that was reason enough. The other bracelet is the right size and style, but the one I bought has blue/turquoise "gems" placed around in....only about four or so around the whole thing...simple and dainty but very pretty.
5. Maxi Dress - Posted about wanting these in my last post and only left with one. Like I said, F21's website-to-store ratio blows big time, so I couldn't find the ones I really wanted, but I do like the one I got a lot. The pattern throughout looks like this:

6. Top - Flowy, romantic-feel, wing-like sleeves....it's perfect! I'm so excited to wear it out because it makes me feel so girly and fun.

So there you have it, my latest haul that goes from high-end skincare to the grocery store! Look out for reviews soon on Kiehl's, Jason Shampoo, and maybe some OOTD posts, too, since I've been failing on those big time. I am sorry if you really would prefer this in video, but I was just in the mood to write, so deal with it ;)

Hope you're all surviving the week. I for one am super excited for the weekend!



Until next time, farewell love bugs and fellow bloggers....

Top 10 Award : Skincare Edition

I, oddly enough, did another video. This time it's for an award I won and I filmed the "skincare tag" portion of it. If you don't want to watch the video (just under 10 minutes long), the writing is below for your reading pleasure. I think the video habit will die out after this weekend, so don't think I've changed my mind about liking writing better ;) Just trying out this system a bit, testing the beauty waters, ya dig?

Note: It's slightly choppy, I talked too much so I tried to cut a lot out! It also totally neglects the body wash that I mention below in the writing, so sorry about that, too! I just ran out so I didn't have the bottle to show, whoops!

I totally stole the whole setup idea from the blogger who awarded me. Her design is much cuter, but her entire blog is that way, so go and check her out! Thanks Antiqued Gold :) Also, Glitter and Granola awarded me, too, so a big thank you to both of them. Such cute blogs so you really need to go and follow them - you heard it hear first! (I thanked them in the original video but then had to cut it out - again, too long!!)

1. Aveeno Ultra Calming Moisturizer
2. Philosophy Purity 1-Step Cleanser
3. Neosporin Night Renewal Lip Treatment
4. Neutrogena Body Clear Body Scrub in Pink Grapefruit (not mentioned in video)
5 Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant (has a "try me" label on it because it's from my sister's salon - no worries, it wasn't opened for consumers before I bought it - that'd be gross, no?)
6. Yes To Tomatoes Daily Pore Scrub
7. Rosebud Lip Salve
8. Glysolid Glycerin Cream (http://www.glysolid.com/)
9. The Body Shop's Vitamin E Eye Cream
10. Marc Jacobs Daisy Lotion

Many of my favorite blogs have already received this award, but considering it is about skincare, I picked the people who I think discuss beauty ridiculously well. They seem like the gals that would know a thing (or twenty) about good skincare, and they are:

AlmostBritain - Does awesome EOTD posts
Dream Out Loud - A sincere blogger with a seriously cute blog
Blushed Pearls - Creative post ideas and I never tired of them
Angie B. - Posts awesome photos to get any blogger inspired
Procrastinating Pretty - My virtual friend who can do it all
Hannah Michelle - An Aussie girl who has great attention to detail/beauty/fashion

Hope you all have a great week ahead of you. This week marks my last five day work week! After this week I only work on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday through the rest of summer. Hell to the yes, you have no idea how happy this makes me! (If you really want to know why this makes me happy, read this post HERE!)

As always, until next time, farewell my love bugs!

Haul + SURPRISE!

I was driving home from Ulta when I thought to myself, "Hauls are so much fun!" Then, as I was driving, another thought occurred (no worries, my brain didn't explode from the overload of thinking!) and I said to myself, "Hauls are even more fun in videos."

So yes, dear readers, I don't know why I decided to do it, but I made my first video. Yeah, I don't really know why other than the fact that, like I said to myself in the car, hauls are better in videos....slightly more organic, little more fun. I apologize for not being the typical gawh-jus beauty blogger like the rest of the people who make beauty videos, but whatever, I'm only human, not plastic and perfect....so don't judge me, all right? Awesome.

If you decide to no longer read/follow my blog after viewing the video, cool, totally up to you (and your loss, right?) If you do decide to stay, thank you kindly! I really don't think I'll be making a habit of videos, as I mention in the vid that I do enjoy writing more, but we'll see, we'll see.

Without anymore talking, here it is....my Ulta Haul Video!

Please Note:
1. I realize the photos in the background are a bit odd....the one that looks like a dog is, in fact, a dog...my boyfriend dressed up as one for Halloween one year. He's nothing like a dog in real life, not to worry ;) The other are just me and friends and/or family.
2. This video is so ridiculously amateur so be kind....I'm no pro videographer!
3. When I said I got the OPI polish from the beauty/salon section, I have no idea what I was saying. I get my hair cut at a salon that has a store connected to the front (sort of like Ulta....but not really), so I got the polish there, not at Ulta.
 4. I make weird faces....it's just my nature, part of the humor, no? Thanks, YouTube, for making an awesome Herp-Derp face for the screen shot opener. Awesome, really.
5. I finally opened the bronzer....and I'm sorry it looked so pink/purple/not bronzey in the video. Here's a better depcition of it:

6. I talked about two liners I got at Target....yeah, well, they didn't melt in my car (yippey!!) Here they are....

Enjoy! Please feel free to leave your criticism in the comments, but don't be mean....that's just not nice...obviously. I'm off to paint my nails and enjoy the HP marathon on TV....yeah, I know it's Saturday but I went out Thursday and Friday night, so my I (and my liver) need to lay low tonight. So thank you, HP, for having a marathon on TV ;)

Until next time, farewell lovahs!

Superficial Skin : Review Time!

I'm back, bitches! ("Uhhh you just posted yesterday...") Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm back in the sense of beauty, though! Yesterday's post was all about something entirely unrelated to my usual shtick, and I'm still looking for more info and app ideas so if you haven't read the post yet, do it nowwww! (Read, commented? Great!) I'm slowly but surely building a fantastic phone, and I think this little dude and I are becoming fast friends.

I came back to do a review on a product that I (and I hope for the sake of this entry that also YOU) know little to nothing about.

Drum roll please....

"YES TO TOMATOES DAILY PORE SCRUB"

Let's break down the good, the bad, and the (maybe) ugly.

First & Foremost....This product feels like it's working. I've never been a foaming cleanser type unless it is to just remove my makeup. I like a bit more punch for my actual cleanser. I have said in several other posts that I was using Neutrogena's Stress Control Scrub for quite some time, but I was just in the market for something new but not drastically different. It was a creamier scrub, more like a thick cleanser with exfoliating beads thrown in. THIS scrub, however, has a lot more grit.

It feels like : salt or sugar mixed with water.
It smells like : so mild you can hardly tell, but I accidentally got it up my nose (awesome job) and it smells like the Earth, raw and natural.

PERKS
1. It is 97% natural AND paraben-free...woo! I am not the "use everything organic" gal but I'm certainly not opposed to using a product that boasts natural ingredients like bamboo, tomatoes (duh), and fruit acids to help control the oil production on your face.
2. It leaves a very soft finish behind; almost as if when you rinse it off, you just moisturized, too, if that makes sense.
3. After almost a solid week of use (or five days...whatever), it has already helped the mini breakouts on my skin. It definitely does work and it seems to complement my MB drying lotion and vitamin E lotion very well.
*Note : The mini breakouts came from using Maybelline's Dream Matte Mousse Blush. I didn't look at the ingredients when buying it about three months ago and have used it maybe three times total (the last time being last week) but WOW, it has tons and tons of parabens and silicone ingredients...like, way more than any one tiny little blush container should have...tossed it right then and there! You've been warned....(read THIS post for more information on skin busters!)

NOT-SO PERKY
1. Rinsing it off can be a hassle....be sure to splash your face and ensure that all the grain and grit is off your face before drying and adding your moisturizer. Otherwise, you'll be rubbing the grainy stuff in still and that'll just cause irritation.
2. It's $10 for a 4 ounce container. My Neutrogena cleanser was a smidgen bigger at 4.2 ounces and it was half the price. I don't mind spending $10 every so often for it (if I plan to stay with it), but it could be a deal-breaker for others...and a blow to my beauty ego when I realize I'm paying more for less product.
3. I would only use this scrub if you do not have large areas of breakouts. It seems like it would irritate the larger, cystic-like breakouts even if it does say it's gentle enough for daily use.

OVERALL RATING
8.43 out of 10 >> Why? Well, it not only feels like it's working but it shows proof that the little grains and grit are hard at work fighting the oil and bacteria on your skin. I'd like it to have a better smell and cheaper price, but that's really all I can find that busted its final grade.
NOTE: My local Target had a "Starter Kit" for the "Yes to Tomatoes" line which is an acne-fighting collection, so if you're interested in trying out the whole package (I almost did!), they're selling four products for $30. Check out your Target if you think you'd like to try out the whole line.

Think you'll plan on trying it out? If you've been using the same old cleanser for over a year, switch it up! Just like everything else in life, change is needed to see new results. Your skin will thank you for feeding it something good (and natural!) Let me know if you plan on trying it or even write a review on your own for this product; I look forward to hearing all of your thoughts!

Until next time, enjoy yourselves...

Haul Whore

Ahh, the time has come back to me yet again. HOWEVER, this haul was for a purpose, for those items that are, let's say, must-haves for my daily routines and all were running low or lost or what have you, so don't expect glamour in this post. I've been trying to save money (and I'll tell you why in a post hopefully sooner than later!) so that's why I have been avoiding (quite dutifully on my part) the mall and even Ulta.

So off I went to Target, my home away from home.

1. Yes to Tomatoes Daily Pore Scrub - I have been pretty faithful to my trusty Neutrogena Stress Control Daily Scrub, but I just felt like changing it up, as I think my skin may have been getting too used to the Neutrogena wash (which can and usually does happen after prolonged use of such a product, FYI) so when I came across the "Yes To..." brand, I was very intrgued. I've seen the products before in passing during other Target runs but never paid too much attention. This scrub was only a few dollars more so I figured I'd go for it as it still has 2% Salicylic Acid. So far, it's great! I've only used it last night and this morning before work but it definitely makes for some smooth skin! If you're interested in purchasing this, know it is a very grainy scrub but it is gentle enough for "daily" use (as its name suggests!) so I massage my skin in small, gentle circles when I use it. What's also great about it is how almost completely natural the ingredients are AND it's a paraben-free product, woot woot! (read THIS post if you're interested in learning about this skin buster and other culprits!)

2. Rimmel Matte Bronzer in 21 Sun Light - I really just need a matte bronzer as summer nears. I plan on buying a water-resistant forumla for the dawwwg days of summer where I sweat like no one's business (lovely!) but this under $4 spend is a solid one; Rimmel powders are fantastic for how cheap they are!

3. Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in First Kiss - I don't like pink. I don't wear a lot of pink, I think it makes me look like a Barbie (and not the classy kind) so I steer away from it more often than not. THIS pink color, however, looked too cute from the bottle to ignore. It's got a bit of a coral kick to it and apparently this specific polish is great, so I knew I had to give it a try. It's part of the Tracy Reese collection for SH, so it's not on the website which is why I'm using this photo from Google. Review coming soon (maybe, hopefully, who knows!)

4. Sleeping Mask - I lost mine. "How do you lose something you sleep with?" GOOD QUESTION. I can't find the sucker anywhere and I needed a new one pronto. $4 later and this bad boy was purchased.

5. Listerine Zero Mouthwash - I'm a serious wuss when it comes to strong Listerine but I love the stuff still. I haven't tried out the 'zero' kind yet (still used the strong-as-balls one this morning) but I look forward to my eyes not watering when I rinse after brushing...yep, no one said I was a hardass.

6. Ice Breaker Mints in Wintergreen - I don't like chewing gum; I think it's disgusting to "chomp, chomp, chomp" around people or even by myself. I like mints to give my mouth a little boost every once in awhile. Plus, there's no chomping involved...awesome.

Like I said, nothing too glamorous, I didn't even include photos of half the haul because who wants to see mints and a sleeping mask? Boring! Target hauls are still fun for cheap indulgences, though :)

Hope you all have a sunny (or at least happy) Monday and let's breeze through this week as it is the LAST full five-day week left in the school year for my district....YES, I may very well be more excited than the kiddos!

Until next time, farewell Monday lovahs...

Superficial Skin : Enemies & Friends

Stress is usually the #1 suspect when my skin strays from serenity (nice alliteration, right?) but now that my college days are (somewhat far) behind me and I'm no longer freaking over finals, ranting with roommates, or busying myself with boys, my skin has had the chance to calm down. Plus, it doesn't hurt that I've gotten smarter since my freshman days in college where I would slap just about anything on my face...ugh, I currently shutter at the thought!

Here's a (somewhat) simple post of what didn't help my skin in college and what saves it now!

Skin Busters...The Enemies!

1. Mineral Oil - Rarely put in products now (phew!) but it can mostly be found in sunscreens, lotions, and makeup removers, so beware! Not all oils are bad (even for oily skin gals) but this one is certainly a pore-clogging whore. Stay away.
WATCH OUT FOR THIS IN: NARS Cleansing Oil
2. Silicone - Ever wonder why your primer was causing breakouts, perhaps, even though it was oil-free? This won't be seen on an ingredient list, but it's conspirators will; watch out for Dimethicone and words that end in "cone" because even though they can suck oil out from your face (which helps your makeup last longer), they can bring about breakouts with it. Silicone is meant to sit on your skin to keep in moisture, but it also keeps in any excess oil or debris on your face, clogging it in a secret, sneaky way. It doesn't make everyone breakout, but it created small whiteheads for me on my nose and chin. PRIMERS have a ton of silicone ingredients so that it has the silky finish and texture that most primers boast, but I'd rather opt out of primer (kind of sounds like optimus prime, hah! ok...I thought it was funny, anyway...) than worry about small, pesky whiteheads. Anyone know of a water-based primer that doesn't have this culprit?
WATCH OUT FOR THIS IN: Bare Minerals Prime-Time Primer
3. Parabens - These are nearly impossible to avoid, so like almost everything in life (except for coffee, shopping, and wrestling in the sheets), take these in moderation. They shouldn't harm you unless you already have skin issues, because parabens tend to only make matters worse without actually creating any issues in the first place. They won't cause the breakout, but rather, make it last longer if it is already there. I noticed this in college when I was using a foundation that had a ton of ingredients that ended in "paraben" (similar to silicone, it won't be listed alone but rather at the end of other big, fancy names) and my breakouts were getting worse instead of getting better, despite my routines to avoid breakouts. I actually use a foundation now that has parabens, but like I said, if there isn't a problem already, this one won't cause much trouble, and it really only creates an issue for your skin if the paraben party on the ingredient list exceeds one.
WATCH OUT FOR THIS IN: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation

Skin Savers...My Best Beauty Friends!

1. Vitamin E - I noticed that when I started using a Vitamin E night cream at the beginning of this year, my face was cheery as hell. My combo skin practically turned normal and the issues were few and far between. This is great, too, for those gals that pop their breakouts and are left with scarring (apply pure vitamin E during those beauty-mishap moments). It helps with almost any skin issue. I just pop the gel pill and apply the stuff right to my face for a simple mask, but watch out..it has a gooey effect. For everyday vitamin-e use, I apply a night cream before bed.
LOOK FOR THIS: The Body Shop Vitamin E Night Cream, Pure Vitamin E Capsules
2. Salicylic Acid - Pretty obvious one, sure, but I apply this even when I don't have breakouts (just a thin layer every night). I was using so much benzoyl peroxide in college and it never worked for me. Why? The harshness of the product just made my irritated skin that much more irritated. You cannot overdo it when it comes to acne products; a little goes a loooong way in this case (something we all learn the hard way). I only use benzoyl peroxide now if I have one of those big, under-the-skin issues around "that time" and it helps eliminate it, but I never apply it to my entire face. I also use a 2% salicylic acid cleanser (Neutrogena Stress-Control) to keep my skin at bay.
LOOK FOR THIS: Neutrogena Acne Stress Control Wash, Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
3. Birth Control - You may have seen me discuss this very briefly in my "Bag, Bitch" post, but it fits in perfectly here. I chose to take a birth control that actually has ingredients to help curb breakouts because I'm a vain son of a bitch and wanted them all gone, gone, gone! Almost all birth controls help with breakouts to some degree, but there are only a few out there that are designed for it. It takes a few months for your skin to adjust, and I'm not without the occasional breakout around "that time" but overall, it's probably my #1 weapon against bad skin; the more specific kinds actually help your skin produce less oil, eliminating pore congestion. "Talk to your doctor to see if birth control is right for you." Ok, commercial over, channel change.
LOOK FOR THIS: Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Tri-Sprintec (generic form of Ortho)


LAST MINUTE ADVICE
ALWAYS wash (always, always, always - yes, I'm talking to YOU late-night lazies. I've been there! Break the habit!) and ALWAYS exfoliate....gently. Your face needs attention but not aggression. If you're using a scrub for your daily wash, rub it in small, slow circles to avoid unwanted redness - it's a scrub for a reason, it can do the job without you pushing it! Daily exfoliation has helped my skin tremendously, too. I flip between Philosophy's Mircodelivery ($25) and Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant ($50). Both are extremely gentle and formulated for even the most sensitive skin - yay! I cannot go a day without using one or the other, truthfully. I swear on my twin brother by both products! (Why him? We used to say that to my parents when one of us did something and tried to get out of it; "I swear on my twin sister I didn't meeeean to!" Like the time he threw a hairbrush at my head when we were jumping on our beds as little tykes and my blonde hair turned ginger from all the blood...yep. Awesome. Side rant over.)

Now I want to to know what works for you or if there are any other culprits out there I should know about? I think I've said this in past posts, but I'd rather shell out on good great skincare products and be a cheap whore thrifty when it comes to makeup; a lot of drugstore makeup boats nearly identical (good!) ingredients without the huge price tag. My top three drugstore brands are:
1. Maybelline...have yet to use their products and find an issue.
2. Neutrogena...they're the #1 dermatologist-recommended brand for a reason.
3. Physicians Formula...gentle, paraben-free, and nearly organic (nearly, not completely).

So there you have it, my superficial rant on skincare busters and savers. Every face is different but it still helps to know what works for some, and I tend to enjoy reading posts like this, so why not write one?! I'd love to hear your thoughts on the issue :)

Until next time, farewell...

Expensive Face? Let's Find Out!

I have seen plenty of posts on how much your "everyday" face costs....everything from the products you use to the brushes and sponges that apply them. I was intrigued by everyone's posts and thought, perhaps, I should look into how much my everyday face costs to see if I can finally determine where all my moohlah is going (I swear there are trolls at the bank stealing it!)

Photos First....

Here it goes....I rounded up if it was .50 or more after the dollar...just makes it easier for my non-math brain!

1. Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation - $8
2. Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder - $4
3. NARS Orgasm Blush - $27
4. Physicians Formula Happy Boost Light Bronzer - $14
5. e.l.f. Everyday Eye Palette - $5
6. Maybelline One by One Volum' Express - $6
7. Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara - $10
8. e.l.f. Waterproof Eyeliner Pen in Black - $1 (woot, woot!)
9. Too Faced Brow Pencil in Blonde-y - $19 (light blondes, go buy this now!)
10. Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Pink Blossom - $6

TOTAL = $100

Holy shit, how did that happen? I even double-checked my math! An even 10 products for an even $100.....is this girl good or is she good? Let's break the bank even more, though, and add in the brushes and misc. products that also go on my face but are the behind-the-scene kiddos who don't actually get center-stage....

1. Eco Tools Shading Brush - $7
2. Sonia Kashuk Total Face Brush - $10
3. Revlon Kabuki Brush - $5
4. Revlon Blush Brush - $5
5. Sonia Kashuk Mini Eye Brush Set - $10
6. Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge - $9
7. Urban Decay Makeup Setting Spray - $18

TOTAL = $54

Therefore, my everyday face costs under $200....thank you, Target and Ulta for making that happen! I will shell out for products that I want, sure, but for the everyday face, cheap does the trick for me. I give my stamp of approval on all the products posted, so definitely try them out if you get the chance!

How much does your face costs? (No, not your plastic surgery.....kidding, relax!) It's fun to see how much you spend (or don't spend!) on your face....the ten products posted first have been used at least one or more times through, so the everyday face could use a, well, face lift....but for now, I'm content, and that'll do until my impulsive personality tells me "it's time!"

Sadly, after having written this post, now I know the trolls may not be real (damnit) and my cash flow really goes to clothes and skincare, all the junk that goes on before the makeup or at night....because if I have to splurge, I'd rather it be for my real face and not just the face I put on in the mornings. Am I right or am I right? I think I might just be right. Perhaps a post on all my skincare products will come next....that may be too much of a doozy, though.


Have yourself a very happy Monday...let's get through this week so we can all enjoy the holiday weekend! (and something else super fun...more to come on that soon enough!)