Kiss and Make-Up

Adios, 2011!

noreply@blogger.com (Lydia) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:33:00 +0000

Can you believe another year is coming to a close? The older I get, the faster time flies by. It's always nice to have a new year come, though...it seems to give us all a chance for reflection. A new year is also a fresh start, and we could all use those from time to time.

This is where I'll be spending my new year's. The Washington coast is all dunes and sand...a far cry from Hawaii's turquoise waters. Sigh.

I am heading out to the beach (the WA coast is NOTHING like the beaches of Hawaii, I am sad to report) to celebrate the new year quietly, with my husband. I'm skipping any "best of 2011" or "hopes for 2012" posts because, frankly, I just don't have the energy. Instead, I will leave you for the year by wishing you and yours a safe, happy, and healthy 2012!

I'll be back soon.

Glitter Bomb!

noreply@blogger.com (Lydia) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

I am not a fan of glittery makeup. Super sparkly eyeshadow is, in my opinion, distracting. Body glitter seems a bit desperate. But then, I am a 30-something grown-up and don't have to try to attract anyone in a dark, crowded bar. No. Glittery makeup is so not my thing. Glittery nail polish? Well, I'll let that one slide.

While glitter on the face or body doesn't ring my chimes, I can understand the appeal of having shiny, sparkly fingernails. There are so many different shades and degrees of glittery nail polish out there that it's hard to pass up the fun, zazzy trend.

The only downside to glittery nails? Removing it! Glitter polishes are rough, and even if you add a top coat to protect it, glitter polish seems to chip faster and create a lumpy surface. This makes polish removal a pain. The cotton ball scrapes across the nail's surface, and, since the nail surface is far from smooth, the cotton snags and leaves bits of itself behind. It's messy, tedious business, removing glittery nail polish.

I recently saw a tip for removing glitter polish that I had to try. You soak cotton balls in nail polish remover, put the soaked cotton ball on your glitter nail, wrap aluminum foil around your finger, wait a few minutes, remove the foil and cotton ball, and viola! The glitter is gone.

Creepy, foil covered nails!

Armed with pre-cut sheets of foil, I headed to my bathroom to give it a go. I have "jumbo" cotton balls, so I cut them in half before soaking them in nail polish remover. I had to do one hand at at time, but I (not so carefully) wrapped each fingertip with a cotton ball in foil and waited for a few minutes. I peeled it all off and was pleasantly surprised to see that the technique worked! I did have to go over my nails once more to get glitter out of the sides/corners of my nail, but a good 95% of the polish was gone with relative ease.

Almost completely glitter-free

Have you ever tried this technique? It takes a few minutes to prep and to let the remover-soaked cotton balls do their job, but I was impressed with the results. I'll be doing this again...unless I hear that nail polish remover and foil create a deadly toxin when used together!

Ready for the Holidays?

noreply@blogger.com (Lydia) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:59:00 +0000

I'm sad to say that I'm back from my trip to Hawaii. It was so nice to be in the sun and to feel actual warmth in the middle of December. Coming back to dark, dreary, and December-y Seattle was tough. While I hate having to fly, I love being in new places and was very appreciative of a change of scenery. Just to make everyone living in a cold place a little crazy, here are couple shots of my vacation.

Lanikai Beach

Diamond Head and the lovely waters of Waikiki

Waikiki at Sunset

Since I work in the education business, I am off of work until January. YAY! I have plenty of cleaning, cooking, and gift wrapping in my future. I think that by this time tomorrow, I'll be ready for Christmas.

How about you? Are you ready for the 25th? Is there anything you're really wishing for this year? I'll be back soon...I hope you all have a Merry Christmas. Oh, and Happy Hanukkah!

Paradise Bound

noreply@blogger.com (Lydia) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

In a couple of days, I am heading off with my sister for a girls-only trip to Hawaii. I'll only be gone a few days, but still...I'm excited. Living in the Seattle area, I don't think I've experienced a summer in quite some time, and I've never been to Hawaii. It will be weird to be wearing a swimsuit in December, but I am more than ready for some sun and warmth. The only downside is that the Mister is stuck at home. I'll take him next time, I'm sure!

It's been so long since I flew anywhere. In my preparation for this trip, I had to reacquaint myself with the TSA's rules, especially when it comes to beauty supplies. The TSA's website is, surprisingly, easy to navigate. If you're like me and plan to travel this winter, the best thing to know is the 3-1-1 rule for carry-ons. Here it is:

I'm going to be checking one suitcase (god only knows how much THAT will cost me!), but at least I can take a few liquid-y things on board because when it comes to flying, I always need some products to keep me comfortable.

Thanks to the crappy pressure and stale air inside the plane, my skin is going to get dehydrated and gross awfully fast. There's also the ubiquitous problem of germs on planes to contend with. To help keep me feeling OK when I fly, here's what I'm packing in my carry-on (following the 3-1-1 rules, of course!):

Bottle of water (purchased after I go through security): because you can never have too much water. Well, I guess you technically CAN, but on a plane, I need to keep hydrated (I never drink on the plane for two reasons: 1) alcohol dehydrates and 2) it's wicked expensive!)
Hand sanitizer: I know, I know. Using hand sanitizer will ultimately lead to a zombie apocalypse or some sort of super-bug, but in the short-term, I'm using the stuff. God only knows how many millions of icky germs I'll touch just getting to my seat.
Cleaning wipes: Did you know that the tray tables on planes are not cleaned after each flight? Ever wonder how much crud is on one of those trays? I don't want to think about it. I know I sound a little crazy, but I'm going with the "safe not sorry" route of travel, especially since it's December and everyone seems to have a cold or worse. I don't want my time in Hawaii ruined because I picked up a bug!
Moisturizer/hand cream and lip balm: my skin will thank me later!

What do you take with you when you travel? Let me know...and ALOHA! I'll tell you about my trip when I return.

Holiday Wish List

noreply@blogger.com (Lydia) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Wow. I still can't believe that 2011 is almost over and that the holidays are here. If you're still working on your wish list, here are five things to consider:

Clinique's Black Honey Glow ($28.50): I have had a pretty long-term love affair with Clinique's Black Honey. I use it on my lips at least a few times each week, so it's no surprise that I love this kit. You get mascara, blush, lipgloss, and an eyeshadow duo....everything you need for the perfect face. And the shades are going to rock and be very flattering...it IS Black Honey, after all!

mark On the Dot Natural Eye Color Compact ($15): finding the perfect eyeshadow shades is an on-going quest for me. I like a wide range of neutrals to play with (to dress up or dress down, as my mood or the occasion dictates). This compact includes 9 of mark's best sellers, so getting the right look will be a snap!

Sephora by OPI Glimmer Wonderland 18-Piece Mini Nail Colour Set ($48): this is the perfect gift set if you're like me and you paint your nails every week. For the cost of a few mani's you can get 18 different colors to play with. The shades included range from fun and flirty to classic. I bet you'd be happy to get this under your tree!

Rembrandt Deeply White 2 Hour Kit (about $22): white teeth are always in, and this is the perfect addition to your beauty routine this season. The Deeply White 2 Hour Whitening Kit is a fast, enamel-safe way to whiten your smile in just two hours. I've spent a ton of money (and time) on dental work in 2011, so making my teeth look great is high on my list as of late. Head over to the Rembrandt website for deets...and for a coupon!
.

BirchBox (amounts vary; you can get a year for $110): this is the gift that keeps on giving! Every month, you'll get a lovely little box filled with high end beauty samples. I gave myself this and look forward to what's inside every month. You can also buy products from their website and get discounts on featured products. You never know what you'll find with this!

Are you still shopping? You might want to consider checking out sites like HauteLook. Every day, they offer great deals and, often, products from some of the best prestigue cosmetics companies.

If you're wasting time on facebook, you should check this out, from Sephora:

Make Your Holiday Beauty Dreams Come True This Season

With The New Sephora Wish List App for Facebook

Whether you’re dreaming of a palette filled with endless colors, sensational skincare or a signature fragrance, Sephora wants to help make all of your beauty dreams come true this holiday season with the Sephora Wish List App. Available only on Sephora’s Facebook page, The Wish List App helps you create your ultimate beauty list to share with family and friends, while providing the chance to win a $100 Sephora Gift Card daily.

Go to www.Facebook.com/Sephora to access the App and build the product list of your dreams. Select from thousands of items using Sephora’s online product finder, featuring the hottest beauty gifts available at Sephora, including exclusive sets and best-selling items from brands such as Dior, Make Up For Ever, Nars, Tarte, tokidoki, Philosophy, Hello Kitty Beauty, Buxom, Josie Maran, T3, Fresh, Urban Decay and so much more. You can also view wish lists from Sephora’s own trend spotters, international style experts and celebrity brand founders, including Tarina Tarantino, Kat Von D and Charlotte Ronson.

Once your list is compiled, share it with your friends and family so they know exactly what you’re dreaming of this year. Sephora gives you the option to create and share multiple lists so you can customize by category or price and send to select recipients. And since lists can be accessed beyond the holidays, finding a last minute gift will be easy for your friends and family.

Still wishing for more? With each list you create and share through December 23^rd, you have the chance to enter a daily sweepstakes to win a $100 gift card. There’s never been a more beautiful way to give and receive the perfect beauty gifts of the season.

Ritual De Lo Habitual

noreply@blogger.com (Lydia) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

I don't know about the rest of you, but during the week I am generally on auto-pilot...especially when I'm getting ready for work in the morning. I seem to have developed a morning routine: get out of bed, brush my teeth, shower, layout my makeup, have breakfast, put on my makeup, blow dry my hair, get dressed and go to work. Thrilling. It's amazing how many steps it takes to get ready just to go to stupid work.

My makeup "mise en place." Funny, this is all drugstore stuff! It's different products every day.

Putting on my makeup--my warpaint!--before work is one of the more important things I do in the morning. And I like to give it time since it's so important. Getting all my products out and in place before I actually apply my makeup gives me a sense of peace on my hectic mornings. That small act of creating a "makeup mise en place" grants me a moment to think about nothing important. It's dumb, but I like the sense of order and calmness I get from laying it all out.

My cat, helping me get ready in the morning. He's a furry makeup artist!

Also important to my morning ritual is my cat, Hugo. He sits on the counter every morning as I get ready. He likes to attack my brow brush and thinks eyeliner is really a cat toy in disguise. He makes makeup application and hair drying all the more interesting (and at times, he drives me crazy!), but I like the company.

All told, I am out of bed, showered, made up, dressed and fed in about an hour and a half. I know that sounds like a long time, but I love my long, hot showers. How long does it take you to get ready? What's your daily beauty ritual?

Red for Ed!

noreply@blogger.com (Lydia) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 18:22:00 +0000

Since it's Monday, my nails are nicely painted. I have no chips (yet), and my fingers are looking shiny and lovely.

This week's nail color is Royal Rajah Ruby from OPI...a delightfully dark, rich red that makes me think of the holidays. But I'm not just wearing red polish for the good looks. I work for a teachers' union, and today we're all wearing Red for Ed, as in public education. Wearing red is a way to stand united as we tell our lawmakers in WA state that continued budget cuts to public education hurts kids and takes away their opportunities.

Makeup, work, and a political message all rolled up into a few coats of nail polish. Who knew?

What color are you wearing on your fingers this week?

I'm Still Here...(or should I say: Stila Here!)

noreply@blogger.com (Lydia) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 00:14:00 +0000

I swear, 2011 has been brutal on my blogging habits. I am still here, still loving makeup, but I just haven't gotten back into the habit of regular blog posts.

EMBARRASSING.

Anyway...I make no promises, but I am going to try to do my best and post better. Yes, you've heard that before from me, but hey...life is crazy.

So...before I scamper off again for a few weeks of silence (hopefully not!), I have to ask: What is on your beauty wish list this holiday season? There are always so many kickass palettes and holiday editions...what do you have your eye on?

Me? I'm digging this lovely palette from Stila (their Dream in Full Color kit, $39), but I'm on a Stila kick as of late. (I'm STILL loving In The Light, also worthy of adding to your wish list if you haven't given it a try yet.)

Leave me a comment and let me know what you absolutely, positively have to have (or give!) this holiday season.

Time for Fall Nails!

noreply@blogger.com (Lydia) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 19:48:00 +0000

Fall is finally here. This week started off rainy and blustery, just like any proper autumn Monday should.

Since it’s cooler and wetter out, it’s officially time to make the switch to darker, more edgy nail colors. Since I don’t believe in getting manis at spas, I’m back to my routine of doing my nails at home on Sunday nights while watching TV (in bed…because lazy is what’s called for on Sunday nights).

Sorry for the blurry, not-so-awesome iPhone photo. And the weird claw pose. Getting a decent shot is tough.

This week’s nail color is Jitterbug from China Glaze. It’s a nice silvery gray with enough shine and metallic in it to make my nails not look overly Gothy. Not that there’s anything wrong with Gothy. Hell, Goth was my look in High School!

What nail color are you rocking right now? And, do you prefer dark nails, colorful nails, or lighter, more neutral nails? My choice? The darker colors of fall/winter.

noreply@blogger.com (Lydia) — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 18:37:00 +0000

Things I need: hair cut & color, pedi, waxing, new fall wardrobe, money to pay for it all and time to get it done. Eesh! Life is crazy. What do you need?

noreply@blogger.com (Lydia) — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 23:09:00 +0000

Just got an invite to a product launch in London. Oh, if only I didn't live in Seattle. Sigh...(London is my favorite city!).

Don't Bring Me Down

noreply@blogger.com (Lydia) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:00:00 +0000

When it comes to beauty products, I am relatively jaded. I've tried almost everything and there is very little that comes out that gets me all worked up. I'm not one to buy into product hysteria. But this month (or was it August? Everything's blurring together these days!), I was flipping through the Sephora Autumn 2011 catalog and I fell in lust at first site with a palette from Too Faced.

Sparkly vampires love glittery eyeshadow.

This palette, the Too Faced Matte Eyeshadow Collection, had Lydia written all over it. I hate super sparkly eyeshadow. I don't think it's flattering or appropriate for a woman in her mid-30s (god, when in the world did I get so freaking old?!) to go through life with eyelids covered in gobs of glitter. Sparkly shadow is fine for tweens, teens, and people dressing up like vampires on Halloween. For me? Yeah, no thanks. I need something slightly more refined...and a little less Edward Cullen in the sunlight....than that.

No truer words have been spoken, Kiefer. Your Lost Boys, though cheesy, were so much better than Twilight.

When it comes to shadow I am a matte fan. I like color and shading that doesn't look like I lost a fight with a glitter-filled pinata. One of my chief complaints with Urban Decay is their tendancy towards the sparkle. The Too Faced palette jumped off the pages of the catalog and straight onto the top of my MUST list for Fall.

Nine colors for three distinct looks. Certainly ONE look has to be a winner...right?

I bought it, tried it, and I am so underwhelmed. Like other Too Faced collections, they provide three sets of shades to create three unique looks. In this case it's Day, Classic and Fashion. I tried the Day combo and the results were "meh." The neutrals were too dark for my liking, and the matte-ness of it did not produce the desired effect. My lids looked heavy.

Handy dandy guides to create the suggested looks.

Hoping for better results, I tried the Fashion shades, which are very purple. They made me look tired. Then I tried the Classic...and that really sealed the deal for me. The color combo was much too harsh: bright white for the upper lid combined with odd blues that were much to heavy and gave much too much contrast. I looked ridiculous. So ridiculous that I removed every layer of shadow and started over again (using the kick ass Stila collection I told you about last month).

Too Faced's Matte Eyeshadow Collection could have kicked ass. It should have kicked ass. But instead, it made me LOOK like ass. I am not impressed. I normally like Too Faced, but this collection is a huge let down. Save yourself $36 and skip this one. Or, better yet, spend $39 for the far superior Stila In the Light Collection. You'll thank me in the long run.

Waxing and Waning

noreply@blogger.com (Lydia) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 12:00:00 +0000

I should say I'm sorry for not blogging so much lately. I should call myself a bad blogger, but I won't...because I'm not. I'm just like the rest of you: I'm a busy woman trying to do too much with too little.

It's funny. I've been writing this blog since 2006. I remember so clearly the day I decided to start writing here. I had a spark that sunny, warm Seattle day. Blogging was so new, so exciting. Since then, I've been a fairly consistent beauty blogger. Sure, there are bigger, better, prettier, fancier beauty blogs out there, but (I hope) Kiss and Makeup has been plugging along, churning out beauty news and information at a pretty steady clip.

Just one of the many bags filled with beauty products I need to try. An embarrassment of riches?

Then 2011 hit. I am not sure what's going on with me this year, but I am experiencing a level of fatigue. I'm weary of all the stuff associated with blogging: the bags of products to try; the email inbox filled and neglected. There's just too much. But if I entertain the notion of shutting down my blog and walking away from it all, I get a little melancholy. The freedom of not blogging is appealing, but something always pulls me back to wanting to write.

This is my roundabout way of saying I am not giving up on my poor, neglected blog. I still like writing about beauty products, style, and the fun, frivolous stuff that is part of being a woman. I still think about blog posts at weird, random times. I'm just having trouble finding time to actually sit down in front of my computer to get everything out.

I don't get enough time in front of these damn keys!

This blog will continue, but I may ease up on myself a tad. Instead of posts 4 times a week, I may crank out one or two or ten posts a week. There may be long stretches of silence, but I am not going anywhere. It's not time for me to close this puppy down, so for now I'll try to find bits of time to update. Hang in there....I'm not done yet!

Not Enough Time in the Day...

noreply@blogger.com (Lydia) — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 01:50:00 +0000

Ugh! Time has not been on my side lately! I have a bunch of stuff to blog about, but have not had time to sit down and actually WRITE. Not cool.

I have no excuse, I've just been busy. You know...life is happening and can't be stopped!

I'm planning on being back and up to regular posts after Labor Day. Watch this space!

noreply@blogger.com (Lydia) — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:41:00 +0000

Note to self: do NOT play with your iPhone while drying your hair. Unless you WANT to look like Lita Ford! (Lesson learned the hard way.)

noreply@blogger.com (Lydia) — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 05:31:00 +0000

Random pet peeve: fake lashes being used in mascara ads. Do they think we're really that dumb? It's false advertising & downright insulting. Thoughts?

noreply@blogger.com (Lydia) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 04:17:00 +0000

I have too little ambition to get anything done at the mo. I'm hoping to get updates online soon but for now I'm taking a break (& reading the Sept issues!).

Beauty Product of the Week: In the Light Palette

noreply@blogger.com (Lydia) — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 12:00:00 +0000

What is it? Stila's In the Light Palette is "a beautiful palette consisting of 10 natural Eye Shadow shades (including the best-selling shade Kitten) and a limited-edition Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner. The new In The Light Palette is a beautiful collection of Stila's award-winning Eye Shadows in wearable, neutral shades for every skintone that can be worn wet or dry. The palette also includes an exclusive Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Damsel, a matte chocolate brown, and an eight-page lookbook with detailed how-to tips and tricks." Available at Sephora for $39.

What did you think? I love neutral eyeshadows and wear them on a daily basis. I also like shadows that don't have too much sparkle in them. That said, I often find myself using the same eyeshadows over and over, and frankly, many shadows bore me. I picked up this palette on a whim and WOW! I am so glad I did.

The colors in this palette are great! You can create so many different looks, from everyday office appropriate to a sultry, smokey eye, to something more colorful and exotic, with this one palette. There are some sparkly shadows in this palette, but none are too obnoxious and the matte shades are killer. I love this palette, even more than Urban Decay's Naked.

My only disappointment is the eyeliner. It's ok...not quite the perfect shade, but that's ok. I bought this for the shadows, and I couldn't be happier.

Final verdict? With so many pretty colors to play with, I have not regretted this purchase. There are tons of combos and looks that can be created just from this palette that it gets a HUGE thumbs up. I highly recommend that you add this to your beauty bag!

So Pretty...

noreply@blogger.com (Lydia) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 12:00:00 +0000

This is a busy week for me, so I am slacking on my blogging duty. However, I received an email from NARS introducing their latest Night Series Gift Sets, and wow. I am in love. I have to share the deets on this, because really...they're just so fab.

Enjoy some mid-week pretty:

For Fall 2011, NARS launches an Eyeshadow Palette and new Nail Polishes that build on the success of the iconic “Night Series” eyeshadows.

EYESHADOW PALETTE

The must-have, limited-edition eyeshadow palette, for the first time, houses six iconic shades used to perfect the sophisticated smoky eye. Wear them alone, layered to create depth, or wet for a high-impact effect.

Shades Included in Palette:

· Night Breed – black with silver glitter

· Night Star – sheer peach with gold pearls

· Night Rider – soft plum with silver glitter

· Night Porter – black with green pearls

· Night Flight – black with cobalt blue pearls

· Night Clubbing – black with gold pearls

Price: $55

NAIL POLISH COLLECTION

NARS created four of the quintessential “Night Series” shades for nails, for the first time. The silvery-plum to black-as-night, each decadent shade creates a statement-making look.

Shades Include:

· Night Breed – black with silver glitter

· Night Rider – soft plum with silver glitter

· Night Porter – black with green pearls

· Night Flight – black with cobalt blue pearls

Price: $17 each

All items available: narscosmetics.com

Giving Back, Beautifully

noreply@blogger.com (Lydia) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Let's face facts: we all probably spend a little too much on beauty products. One way to make beauty expenses a little more palatable is when you're buying something from a company that gives back...that donates a portion of their proceeds to charity to help out real people.

I've been eyeing RapidLash for a while now. I feel like my eye lashes are not even (the lashes on my left are much less full and not as long as those on my right...weird!) and I would love to try out their product to see if it actually works. I want to use this product for purely selfish, superficial reasons.

But women suffering from breast cancer often battle hair regrowth challenges during and after the course of treatment. Eyelash and eyebrow renewal serums like RapidLash give women a boost of confidence by helping to restore natural, fuller-looking lashes and brows. Women of any age can benefit from RapidLash, but especially those who experience hair loss.

RapidLash claims to get stellar results by delivering essential proteins, vitamins, moisturizing and rejuvenating ingredients that replenish and strengthen the structure of lashes and brows, while adding shine and elasticity. It is safe and effective, and the brand supports the fight against breast cancer by donating 5% of company profits between Susan B. Komen and The American Cancer Society all year long.

Now that I know RapidLash is giving back to women who really need it, I feel better about spending the $49.95 to try it out. Does corporate philanthropy ever impact your beauty decisions? Would you feel better about your latest lipstick purchase if the company you bought it from gave money to a cause you care about? Or does this not impact you at all? Leave me a comment and let me know.

I'll try the RapidLash and will report back my findings soon!

The Benefits of Facebook

noreply@blogger.com (Lydia) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:31:00 +0000

My husband does not have, and does not want to have, a facebook account. I can't say I blame him, really. Facebook is one of those things you have to use because everyone else uses it. If you want to stay connected with your friends (and family!), the best way is through Facebook. Want to see what your former high school friends look like? Check Facebook. It's as ubiquitous as it is annoying. Facebook makes me miss the old days when we didn't post status updates to the world, but instead made time to have actual conversations, write actual letters, or at very least, send emails to people we cared about.

I digress.

One thing Facebook is increasingly good for is getting the low down on deals, giveaways, and news from your favorite stores, brands, etc. If you're going to shop, you should first check Facebook for a coupon or exclusive offer.

If you're currently in the market for some killer skin care and anti-aging products, Dermelect Cosmeceuticals (www.dermelect.com) is dishing out free tubes of its best-selling Pore Revolution and T-Zone Mattifier to loyal Facebook fans with any purchase from www.dermelect.com.

To redeem the deal, just “like” the Dermelect Facebook fan page (www.facebook.com/MyDermelect) and find the discount code posted under “Fan Only Offer.” Enter the code at checkout and the product will be added to your order free of charge! This is a limited time offer, so get shopping (and liking!).

Beauty Product of the Week: Moroccan Aragan Penetrating Oil

noreply@blogger.com (Lydia) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 12:00:00 +0000

What is it? Organix Renewing Moroccan Argan Penetrating Oil "is a rare formula that has a centuries-old history of providing natural vitamin E and antioxidants while renewing your hair's cell structure, sealing in shine, and creating lush softness. A precious blend of Moroccan argan oil which instantly penetrates the hair shaft restoring shine and softness while strengthening. Derived from the southwest region of Morocco, argan oil protects from styling heat and UV damage while creating soft, seductive, silky perfection." Available at Ulta, drug stores and big box stores for about $7.99.

What did you think? I am not usually one to gush over a product, but OH MY FREAKING GOD, YOU GUYS! This stuff is THE BOMB!

Ok, I've taken a deep breath and calmed down a bit. I've tried out more expensive argan oil products in the past and have never really seen the appeal. Then this summer came and my life exploded. I haven't had the time or money to get into my hair stylist, and as a result, my hair is a mess. I'm a frizzy, fried out mess of a blonde and that is not good....not good at all. I was wandering around Target, trying to find something, anything!, to help improve the condition of my hair without breaking the bank. That's when I stumbled across the new line of Organix products and found the Moroccan Argan Oil line. (Organix makes a shampoo and a conditioner with the argan oil, too!) The penetrating argan oil hair treatment looked good, sounded easy enough to use, and (since it was on sale for $6) the price was right.

I followed the directions and applied the oil to my towel-dried hair before blowing my stressed out locks dry. My hair condition was instantly improved. I went from frizzy to smooth--dried out to lush, and I can say that I am in LOVE with this product. You do need to be careful and control how much you use. I also find that I need to concentrate the product on the lower half of my hair (the split, nasty ends). If I get too much in the roots, it can weigh things down and make my hair look a bit greasy. A little goes a long way, and practice makes perfect.

NOTE: I've since purchased the Organix Moroccan Argan Oil shampoo and conditioner and they're awesome as well.

Final verdict? I love, love, love this product and my hair is thanking me for buying it. Seriously, nothing else I've used recently has given my hair this much improved texture. I am a convert.

Clean Up Your Act! (GIVEAWAY!)

noreply@blogger.com (Lydia) — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 12:00:00 +0000

I have tons of makeup. And I store my tons of makeup all over the place in a number of different ways. I a toolbox filled with nail care products, drawers and bins with cosmetics, a cabinet of perfume and skin care products, etc.

I try to keep all my frequently used products in a makeup bag that I can tote around with me. The problem with this is that my bag tends to get overfilled quickly as I add new products, and things seem to get messy. There is nothing worse than opening up a bag that looks good on the outside only to find spills, stains, lint, pencil shavings, and other mysterious messes junking up the bag lining.

I recently received a new makeup bag to try out, a Vemayca Cosmetic Bag with a removable Soft Peal Lining. This is a new kind of bag designed to help us with our cosmetic cleanliness. The outside of the bag is quite lovely. It's soft but it also feels sturdy and substantial. It has a plain but stylish gray exterior and two generously sized pockets. It also comes in a bright, feisty red. The inside of this bag, though, is what makes it innovative.

The lining is made with a flexible but durable liner that snaps in and out. You can use the bag without the liner, remove the liner to clean it (in the delicate cycle with a mild detergent), or replace the liner entirely if it gets really messy. Nice! I don't know how many cosmetics bags I've thrown out because they're messy beyond help on the inside. That seems like such a waste, especially when the outside of the bag still looks good.

I really like the look, feel, and function of the Vemayca Cosmetic Bag. The bags cost $25 or $35 (depending on the style you go for) and the linings are $7.50 for one or $15 for a pack of three.

Want a Vemayca Cosmetic Bag of your own? Thanks to Emery Lane PR, I'm giving one away. To enter, please leave a comment below, like Vemayca on facebook and/or follow them on Twitter. This contest is open to US residents only. I'll pick a winner at random next Wednesday. Good luck!

Sephora, the Land of Happiness!

noreply@blogger.com (Lydia) — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 12:00:00 +0000

When I was a kid growing up in the suburbs of Baltimore, MD, we had this amazing store called the Cosmetic Center. They sold everything--drugstore brands, higher end products, etc. and their stores were well designed and fun to go to. I moved away from MD when I graduated from High School (and I haven't been back since), so I have no clue if the Cosmetic Center is still around. I do know that Sephora is my grown-up beauty playground, and I always love wandering around checking out new and not-so new products.

I needed some retail therapy this weekend, so I headed to Sephora and came out with some kick-ass finds (more on that in coming posts). Right now, I'm focusing more on my skin and trying out new products. Here are a handful of skin care products from Sephora that will help improve your skin as summer bakes along. Check out these three products worth taking a closer look at:

Sephora Collection Sugar Body Scrub ($18): During the summer it is common for dead skin cells to build up. To prevent the resulting dry, flaky skin, exfoliate daily with a nourishing body scrub like the this budget-friendly scrub. This brown sugar-based body scrub offers miraculous results, leaving skin ultra-smooth and silky-soft. Formulated with Vitamin E, Grapeseed and Apricot Kernel Oil, this rich, emollient blend nourishes skin while also regenerating and revitalizing skin’s texture.

bosica Pore Purifying Black Strips ($15): High temperatures and humidity encourage dirt and oil build-up, resulting in blackheads and large pores, especially around the nasal area. Make sure to consistently prevent pores from clogging by using an adhesive strips. This full-contact delivery system instantly applies charcoal powder to rid skin of impurities and leave pores ultra clean.

Dr. Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pads ($18-$32): Now that skin is purified, it is easy to achieve a glowing complexion. Opt for a self-tanner that provides a radiant, sun-kissed glow year-round, without exposure to the sun's harmful UVA/UVB rays. Formulated with Vitamin D, Alpha-and beta hydroxy acids, this treatment exfoliates skin while offering a streak-free glow. The perfect way to maintain a healthy complexion.

August Free Beauty Events

noreply@blogger.com (Lydia) — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 02:57:00 +0000

It's August! Time for us to start thinking about back-to-school, back to "normal life" routines. What a great time to also start thinking about new beauty products/

If you're looking for free beauty events near you--chances to learn about products and get some new beauty knowledge--head over to www.freebeautyevents.com. The site will point you in the right direction.

For example, this month on the 4th, a Rite Aid in York, PA is having their 360 Wellness Grand Opening Event where demonstrators will be performing free polish changes with Revlon’s new Scented Nail Enamel and Wet n Wild Megalast Nail Polish. The Ulta Mustela Event this month and September will give customers a chance to try out Mustela Hydra Bebe Body Lotion, Ultimate Hydration, and Facial Cleansing Cloths.

On www.freebeautyevents.com you can enter your zip code to find out what makeover, gift with purchase, spa open houses and sampling events are happening near your home. In addition to listing in-store makeovers, Freebeautyevents.com also features a blog on product reviews (http://www.freebeautyevents.com/beauty-blog) and a monthly contest (http://www.freebeautyevents.com/contest).

For the month of July 2011, they will be giving away 10 prizes. Each prize will consist of Got2b Guardian Angel Finish Flat Iron Balm, Creme of Nature Argan Oil Replenishing Sheen Spray, and Creme of Nature Argan Oil Gloss & Shine Mist. The Contest runs from 8/1/2011 to 8/31/2011, winners will be chosen on 9/5/2011 and notified by 9/15/2011.