Ana Maria Talks

Perfume Samples

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 04:44:00 +0000

Perfume sample, some love 'em, a lot of people hate them.

I seem to be a part of the former group. Why? Perfume samples allow you to do exactly what their name says-sample a perfume before you commit to it. As many people know, the same perfumes can produce a different scent on different individuals according to our own "scents". By trying out perfume samples before buying a new perfume, you can test how your body reacts to the scent and whether or not it's a good fit.

Perfume samples are also good for people (me) who don't like to commit to one scent. I've always admired people who have "signature scents"-those who go through bottle after bottle of the same perfume and become recognizable simply by that scent. I can't commit. Not only can I not commit to using up a whole bottle of perfume in an appropriate amount of time, there are just some days when a scent doesn't quite fit my mood and instead turns me off.

Can't commit either? I suggest checking out Sephora's Fragrance Deluxe Sampler for Her, a small set with various perfume samples to try out for a few weeks each.

I Love Lush

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 03:55:00 +0000

I love Lush.

More specifically, I love their bath products and skin care (which obviously I'm all about). I'm sure if I tried any other products I would probably love them too.

There is something about the It's Raining Men shower gel that provides a feeling of relaxation and comfort after a long day. The honey scent is calming and conjures warm feelings. This is my go-to product for a good night's rest.

Oh, Creme Anglaise, how I love you. Yes, you are PRICEY and my college student budget won't allow me to invest $46.95 in a creme de corps, but I'll never forget the smooth, lasting moisturizing feeling you provided after receiving you in an AWESOME wrapped holiday gift box (that I picked out myself with my Christmas gift cards).

Speaking of Christmas, I've also tried the holiday Golden Wonder Bath Bomb, which truly delivers a surprise after revealing its rattling contents. Phoenix Rising is also beautiful, tinting your bath water and filling the air with sweet cinnamon.

Finally, what can I say about the Yuzu and Cocoa Bubbleroon? I'm a fan of baths. You simply can't go wrong by taking a relaxing bath with "fluffy citrus chocolate bubbles", which is exactly what this little macaron-like bath treat looks like.

Do you Lush? Let me know your favorites below :)

Prevent Frizz With This Trick

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 03:28:00 +0000

Ever struggled with frizz? We ALL have; short hair, long hair, straight hair, curly hair. I discovered this little trick a few years ago and have since used it to prevent my hair from turning into a giant frizz ball.

To prevent frizz: Go about your usual shampoo and conditioner routine in the shower- HOWEVER- do not rinse the conditioner from your hair with hot or even warm water. Yes, this means that I am saying if you want to prevent frizz, you have to rinse your hair in COLD water-even in the winter. Why?

Many years ago when I had long, long hair (as many latina girls grow up with), I discovered one cold winter night that after I exposed my hair to the cold, dry air in our apartment, (my mom likes to keep windows open, I don't know why) it miraculously didn't get frizzy as it usually did. Somehow my thought process pinpointed the cold air as what was keeping my hair tame and I began to rinse the conditioner out of my hair using cold water. I've since read that cold water seals the hair cuticle(kind of like how it tightens pores?), sealing in moisture. Let me tell you, it takes courage to dump cold water on your head, especially in the winter.

Here's how I do it: I lather my hair with my shampoo of the moment (right now its the Suave Professionals Invigorating Clean with Rosemary and Mint) rinse, and apply my favorite hair treatment, Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Hair Mask. This is the last step in my shower routine.

After leaving this on for at least 5 minutes, I reduce the water temperature to cold bordering on freezing, and lean my head back into the water stream like they do at salons (this is only to avoid freezing my body in cold water). I rinse the hair treatment completely and avoid rubbing my hair dry with a towel, instead patting it gently. Afterwards, I use a wide tooth comb to detangle instead of a brush in order to reduce breakage. Then I let my hair air dry OR use a hairdryer. VOILA!

Why I love my Clarisonic

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 03:03:00 +0000

Clarisonic has changed my life. I've used the Clarisonic Mia Cleansing Brush for a little over a year now and I am happy I made the decision to buy it after thinking it over for quite some time. Before getting the Clarisonic, I had acne on troublesome areas of my T zone.

The Clarisonic provides a gentle yet deep cleansing for the skin. Used with your cleanser of choice, it makes an excellent treatment a few times a week. Since I began to use I have noticed improved skin texture as well as minimal breakouts. I highly recommend the Clarisonic brush, I know I won't stop using it any time soon.

Image via clarisonic.com

I got my Clarisonic Cleansing Face Brush at Sephora in a limited edition set like this one. The set provides a good value for your money, and I can say that the Boscia cleanser has also become one of my favorites.

Love your Clarisonic? Share your thoughts below!

Why I Love Beauty Masks

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 02:21:00 +0000

I've only recently tiptoed into the world of beauty masks, but one thing is certain:

I love them.

I've used the Borghese Fango Brillante Brightening Mud Mask as well as an Asian jelly mask my roommate gifted me from her holiday travels to China and the feeling they leave on my skin is unmatched. I highly recommend the Borghese mask. While I do not know the exact name of the asian mask I used, I recommend checking out the blog Musings of a Muse to get a better sense of what asian beauty products to use and where to buy.

Masks serve many purposes and you can buy them depending on whatever skin concern you would like to treat. I only use them about once a week and never on the same day simply because I don't have an exact schedule as a busy college student. I've put on masks midday/midnight and each time the results have been impressive.

Have any mask recommendations? Share them below. :)

Why It is Important to Start Using Eye Cream at an Early Age

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 01:54:00 +0000

I'm 21 years old, soon to be 22, and yes, I have started using eye cream as part of my nightly skin routine. I learned many years ago from reading countless magazines that the key to getting rid of wrinkles is to prevent them. Got it? The easiest way to keep skin youthful for as long as possible is to treat your skin early on. This is why, as a 21 year old, I have started thinking of what my skin will look like when I'm older.

I don't want to think back in my 40s, 50s and so forth and wonder what I could have done to take better care of my skin. Eye cream is easy to use and it's made me realize how different the sensitive skin around my face behaves when I pat it on.

If you want to prevent wrinkles later on in life, start thinking of how you can take better care of your skin today.

I use bareMinerals Firming Eye Treatment , available at Sephora

Keeping Hands Moisturized

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 23:46:00 +0000

I've heard people say that the way to tell a person's age is by looking at their hands. If this is true, my hands need some work. It is important to keep our hands moisturized year-round, not just during the harsh winter (I'm looking at you, Boston). We may not realize it, but our hands are always exposed to the elements, be it dry air, biting wind, or harsh skin rays.

In order to take care of the skin on my hands (besides SPF when spending a prolonged time outdoors), I have employed the "grandma" trick of wearing cotton gloves to bed after moisturizing. Before you think I'm crazy, I should mention that these sweet gloves have the cutest print on them and they let me type on the screen of my iPhone! This means I can get into bed and catch up on the blogs I follow via Bloglovin' while simultaneously healing my skin. Win? I think yes.

I bought this exact print from Nordstrom Rack, but they are available online at www.bathaccessories.com

Your Lips Need Hydration, Too

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 23:23:00 +0000

Just as I continually remind myself how important it is to moisturize my skin very day to prevent dull, itchy skin, I also remind myself to moisturize my lips using a balm to prevent dryness and fine lines.

I recently received a Vaseline Rosy Lips scented lip balm as a gift from London and cannot get enough. Not only does it hydrate my lips, it also provides a subtle pop of color. I use my Vaseline balm during the day and at night, my choice is Jouer's Lip Enhancer.

Vaseline Rosy Lips Lip Therapy balm

Like a lot of my beauty favorites, I discovered this hydrating balm through Birchbox. I apply the Lip Enhancer right before bed and it lasts all night. In the morning I wake up with soft, moisturized lips and less "lines".

I happened to fall in love with Jouer's Lip Enhancer because I received it in my Birchbox. Do you have a favorite lip balm?

My Favorite Facial Moisturizer

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 06:25:00 +0000

My favorite facial moisturizer is a recent treasure find thanks again to Birchbox. My every day go-to product is the Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré (24-Hour Miracle Cream). This stuff really has worked miracles with my skin, and I've decided to declare it my "Holy Grail" moisturizer.

Since sampling Embryolisse in a Birchbox, my skin texture has improved dramatically. Not only does it moisturize my skin for the whole day, it also has helped with keeping my skin oil-free (and acne-free) while acting as a smooth base for my makeup.

(image: Birchbox.com)

If you happen to be on the market for a new facial moisturizer, I HIGHLY recommend trying out Embryolisse.

Makeup removing wipes are your friends

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 04:19:00 +0000

Never go to bed with your makeup on.

Never, ever. Sometimes it's difficult to get home after a night out with friends or from studying and wash your face. It can be the last thing you want to do. At the least, make it a point to use a makeup cleansing wipe/towelette. It doesn't remove all makeup and impurities the way a cleanser does but something is better than nothing.

I keep a pack of makeup removing cleansing wipes in a drawer by my bed so that I can easily reach for it as I'm hitting my pillow. I can even do it while laying down. It's simple and it will keep you from waking up to the smeared eyeliner and mascara nightmare the next morning.

The CVS brand Cleansing and Makeup Remover Towelettes are my go-to wipe-nothing fancy for me. They get the job done and do a great job removing foundation, powder, eyeshadow and even eyeliner.

(image from CVS online)

While some people may prefer a name-brand product, these little towelettes are a quick and affordable way to keep acne at bay on those nights when I'm just too tired to go through my whole cleansing routine...and what girl hasn't experienced one of those?

Nail Of the Week...Essie Absolutely Shore

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 03:33:00 +0000

I'm a nail polish lover, always have been. Blame my mother for toting me along with her for long as I can remember whenever she went to get her nails done. I remember I'd stand by the manicurist's station staring longingly at all the colors until my mom would let me have a turn, but only allowing me to choose sheer pinks.
Fast forward many years, and my repressed love for brightly color hues gradually made it self known in vibrant reds and deep purples. Now I've come full circle.
I decided at the beginning of the year that 2013 would be a year of neutrals for my hands, so for this week I chose Essie's Absolutely Shore. This polish is a beautiful foamy green, very different from the Mint Candy Apple I preferred my freshman year in college. I love the subtle but noticeable color, and as always with Essie, the application is easy delivering opaque results in two coats.

I'm always on the lookout for spring neutrals, which ones are you loving this week?

Image from Essie.com

Changing Your Foundation For Spring

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 20:08:00 +0000

Spring is upon us, and the warm weather is finally making its way up to Boston. Just as I transition my wardrobe from heavier fabrics to lighter ones to stay cool, I also change my foundation to keep my skin comfortable in the changing temperatures.

During the winter months when the skin is exposed to harsh winds and low temperatures, a heavy foundation keeps it moisturized and even-toned. As the weather warms, a heavy foundation can make skin oily by trapping the moisture on the face, which can also lead to breakouts (cringe).

To prevent breakouts and to keep my face from melting off, I use a foundation with a lighter consistency. My pick of the moment is the Revlon Nearly Naked foundation. The liquid is light and easy to apply but also provides buildable coverage if I need it. I top it off with a translucent loose powder and call it a day.

To keep a fresh appearance and stay comfortable with the changing weather, consider which products will help your skin maintain its balance.

I want to know: which products are your "must-haves" for spring?

Avoid flashback in photos

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:28:00 +0000

It's happened to most of us. We're out having a great time with our friends, decide to take some photos with flash, and BAM-your face shows up ghostly white in the photos. This is called "flashback". It happens when a camera flash reflects back the Titanium Dioxide found in SPF products, which helps block the sun's rays, but also leaves a white flash where your face is supposed to be.

If you are going out at night with friends and know you will be photographed, the easiest way to avoid flashback in photos is to wear foundation that does not contain a high level of SPF. Instead, use a liquid or cream foundation that provides even coverage suitable for your skin type.

My foundation of choice is the MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation. It is designed to provide a "flawless" look on camera, and provides excellent coverage for my skin type, so it's a no-brainer. However, I only use it when going out at night since it provides medium-full coverage and I prefer a lighter look during the day, especially for Spring.

I use my Real Techniques Stippling Brush to apply

I don't worry about using SPF during the day for photos because I rarely take photos and even so I prefer to wear sunscreen than go without. You can read more about why I wear SPF every day in my previous post.

Keep in mind that a good foundation is merely the base of photogenic makeup look. If you want to find out about other products that photograph well, I recommend watching one of my favorite bloggers and YouTubers, the RAEviewer, for her video tutorial on how to achieve a Photogenic Makeup Look.

Hope you're having a great Wednesday! xx

Why wearing SPF is important and my pick of the moment

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 19:45:00 +0000

I wear SPF on my face every day no matter the season or weather.

Protecting your skin from the sun's damaging rays can keep your skin healthy on the inside as well as youthful-looking on the outside. It is important to remember that even if there isn't much sun visible on a particular day, your skin is still exposed to light particles.

I have tried many different formulas for SPF including traditional sun screens, moisturizers containing SPF and foundation with SPF. Recently I've been on a BB cream kick. My pick of the moment is the Dr. Jart Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm. It contains SPF 25 plus all the added benefits of a BB cream. I received a sample through my February Birchbox and can't get enough!

(image via Sephora)

Beauty products that serve a multipurpose are great for ladies on the go, but keep in mind that what matters is the number provided on the bottle. Incorporating SPF into your morning beauty routine is an easy step to potentially aid in reducing your risk of skin concerns down the line.

For in depth information about SPF factors and how to keep your skin protected, visit the Skin Cancer Foundation for sun protection tips and guidelines.

No Buy February and March

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:33:00 +0000

Ever heard of a "No Buy" month?

In short, it's a term that has been circulating the blogging/Youtube community and it describes a month during which you will yourself to not buy unnecessary items. Most likely, these items mean makeup, clothes, shoes...a trip to CVS, Target...etc.

After reading and watching Jayme and Mendi from Her Late Night Cravings discuss No Buy February on their Youtube channel and their blog I decided this was the perfect way for me to curb my crazy makeup spending habits. Not only did I start my February No Buy...I also made it part of Lent season.

Lent started on February 13th and will end on March 30th, the day before Easter, and I am happy to say I got through my makeup No Buy (with 5 days to go)!

Not only did I save LOTS of money, I also "shopped my own stash", another term I learned from Jayme and Mendi, and used up products that otherwise were just sitting in my drawers. As for the ladies of HLNC, you'll have to check out their posts on how successful they were.

Have you attempted or gotten through a No Buy month? Let me know in a comment below.

My Travel Beauty Bag

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 05:18:00 +0000

I recently got through a weekend of travel by using small beauty samples to reduce the amount of products I carry in my makeup bag. Getting through the weekend was a small step...and then I decided to try it for a week!

Most of the time samples are complimentary with a purchase at a beauty counter but I get mine once a month through Birchbox. Not only do I hoard samples to try on any given day, I also keep them to use as backups for when I run out of my current favorite product.

For my trips I took along a sample size of Tarte's Mineral Bronzer, Benefit's the POREfessional, Juicy Couture Couture La La perfume, Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm, bareMinerals Round The Clock Waterproof Eyeliner and Flawless Definition Volumizing Mascara.

Not only did these products last me through my travels, they also impressed me enough to go out and buy them in a full size. What is your opinion on beauty samples? Love 'em or throw them away? Have you ever taken them on a trip in lieu of full size products?