The Weekend Post #4

My cuticles are just the worst ever.
Okay, maybe not EVER, but they're pretty darn bad.  The skin around my nails is really bad too, really dry and cracked and just unpleasant, so this weekend when I was in the Mart of Walls (known as Walmart) I picked up the Burts Bees cuticle cream.  In combination with the  hands on work with tools or paint, as well as the cold, dry, weather it makes my hands especially bad.  I had a small tin of this when I was younger and never really liked it or saw that it worked but I decided to give it a second chance and boy am I happy I did!

I've only been using this for a day and a half, but I already see a difference. It is very oily but since I only put it on my nail area, I can deal with it.  The smell is kinda strong because it is lemon but it dissipates pretty quickly.
After tending to my poor hands, I decided they needed a new color but not something that would show when it chips because for the next two weeks I won't have much time to worry about them because of the opening of The Tempest drawing near.  I love Sinful Color nail polish, it's a great consistency for application and there is a huge range of colors.  I chose a bright gold color that I love from their collection (sadly, it doesn't photograph too well). Here they are-

How do you care for your nails? XOXO

The day I actually tried...

So, I'm still not feeling 100% after being sick but I'm getting better.  I didn't have any classes this afternoon, I never do on Fridays, so during that break I actually decided to try and look like a normal human female for rehearsal.  Here was the final product:

You can't see what I'm wearing but it's a top and skirt combination, and I'm not a big fan of wearing skirts most of the time but I did.  I curled my hair with my flat iron, which is the brand Zoe and I love it! It works really well an wasn't really really expensive.  Before I curled my hair I rubbed Chi Silk Infusion through my hair to help keep it from damage.

For the face I used the Rimmel Clean Finish poreless foundation in the color Ivory.  It's a really lovely foundation, goes on smoothly and doesn't look cakey or streaky.  I then used my Napolean neutral color palette to help define my eyebrows, mixing the peach and light brown color to darken them just a tiny bit.  I then used two shimmery brown colors from my HG Sephora palette the names of the colors aren't listed on the back, sadly.  I don't have any 'true' contouring colors so instead I use an older Ulta brand blush that I got as a free gift from the store to help define my cheeks.  On the apples of my cheeks I used the Stilla Convertible lip and cheek color in Petunia. I absolutely love this color and product! It's so smooth and pigmented and it blends so nicely and seemlessly into the cheeks.  It's more of a spring color but I love using this in the winter because it doesn't make the dreary winter months so dreary.  As for lips, I used the Rimmel Kate Moss lipstick in the color number 10.  It is a bright red lipstick with more orange than blue tones in it.  It stays on the lips for quite a while without coming off too badly, and it's great to use if your face is more neutral in other areas. 

So, yes, this is my 'hey, I actually tried today' face.  We all have days like this, what products do you like to use on those days? XOXO

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The Weekend Post #3

So, I'm not so good when it comes to doing a weekly weekend post but I'll try to get better promise.  This weekend post is about a shower fizzer.  It's like a bath bomb except you don't use it in the bath and you aren't supposed to get it wet, which makes it perfect for dorm rooms- score!  I got three different scents of these for Christmas and today I tried my first one, the Eucalyptus and Lemongrass scent.  You put it in the corner of your shower where the steam will reach it but not the water.  It releases the aromatherapy scent and makes you feel like you're at a spa.  This scent was nice and not too powerful.  It did take a while though for the aroma to fill my shower but I think that's partly because I left the door to the shower (not the actual shower, mind you, but the actual room) open because that way in case anyone knocks or the fire alarm goes off and my roommate's not home I can (hopefully) hear it.  My head's been stuffy on and off for the past few days so it did help to open up my sinuses.  All in all, I really liked this but I'm excited to try the other scents I received.  The website for the company is on the product, so I will definitely be looking into  buying more when the time comes.
What do you use for aromatherapy when you don't have access to a bathtub? XOXO

Lush Lip Scrub

Something I have been hearing a lot about since I've been reading beauty blogs, it's the Lush lip scrub.  There are three different scents (that I know of) Bubblegum, Buttered Popcorn, and Mint Julips.  I really love how the mint julips one smells- kinda lit mint chocolate ice cream, the green kind.  All of the Lush products are hand made and on each container of product, it tells you who made it and when which I think is pretty awesome.  I really love how this smooths my lips, and it's made with sugar so if you don't have a washcloth handy, you can just lick it off.  I don't use it every day unless the weather is really doing a number on my lips and making them feel like a scaly fish.  Each jar is $9.95 which I think is pretty fair since it is handmade and for the amount you get.  It's not a very big jar but it's not super small either, and you don't have to use much to get a good scrub in on your lips.   I will definitely repurchase this product again, I love it!

Do you use any lip treatments to help, for lack of a better word, de-scalify your lips? XOXO

Yes to Carrots!

Sorry for the mirrored image, but this is a small 1oz tub of Say Yes to Carrots body butter.  It's really smooth but not as heavy as other body butters.  This doesn't have a very distinguishing scent, if anything it smells a bit like baby powder.  I really like that since everything else I wear has a lot of other nice flavors that I don't have to worry about it clashing.  This is the first in the Say Yes to Carrots line that I have tried and I am very impressed.  It's really easy to get out of the tub and apply because it's really creamy and light, since it's not super thick you don't have to dig around or press to get product out.  I really am impressed by this product, it's even small enough (in the 1oz size) that it can be carried around in a purse or a bag- I don't do this but that's because I already carry around a lot of things and I'm trying to finish off another lotion in my backpack.  When I'm out of this and have used up some of my other body butters I will definitely buy it, especially during the summer.  My skin still needs a lot of moisture during the summer but I never want to wear any super heavy body butters and this is really light but super moisturizing.  I really really do like this product, can't you tell?
Do you have any favorite creams that are portable? XOXO

Hand Food!

One of the things I got in my Sephora haul was Soap and Glory's Hand Food hand cream.  I was so excited to get to try some Soap and Glory products.  I have been reading so much about how good the brand is, and this did not disappoint.  I am very picky about my hand creams, up until this point I had only used Gold Bond hand lotion (and it's still my favorite), but this is really nice.  It has a light scent, that's not too fruity or floraly but has a bit of a citrusy scent.  It's not too light nor too heavy of a cream, it's not greasy but has oil in it, and it absorbs really quickly into the skin.  The price isn't too bad either, for the 4.2FL Oz bottle I got it was $10 but the travel size was only $5.  I really am very happy with how this product has worked out for me, and how lovely it really is.
What is your favorite hand cream? XOXO

Warm and cozy!

After a day of doctor's appointments, classes, rehearsals, paperwork, and doing a mini organization and clean of the theatre it felt GREAT being able to come home, take a shower, and snuggle down in my bed to finish some paperwork and get cozy.  It's winter here, and is supposed to SNOW on Sunday, which means my skin isn't happy.  I used some of my favorite shower gel from the Bath and Bodyworks Aromatherapy line in Sleep and then put on baby oil.
I use the Equate brand lavender baby oil (sorry, no picture).  It works as well as the Johnson and Johnson but is cheaper.  There are certain things I like to save on and this is one of them, it's basically the same thing no matter what brand you get- at least to me!  Plus, Equate was the only one with the lavender scent.  I hopped out of the shower, slapped on the body oil, and put on the wonderful footie pajamas that my mom hand made me.  She is just amazing! No store size fits me because I'm so short, and I've been dying for a pair, so she made me some- they're pinkandpolkadots (yes all one word).  This helps to lock in the moisture from the baby oil in hopes that my skin won't look so cracked or dry.  In short, using body oil (especially during the months that are harshest on the skin) helps to keep you moisturized longer especially when used with a good moisturizing lotion.  My favorite is the Gold Bond lotion, a post on that will be coming soon!

What do you do to keep your skin in top shape during the harsh months? XOXO

Just a Quick Post!

Hi guys, sorry this isn't a beauty related post but those will be back soon! I wanted to let you all know that I may be posting every other day or every two days for the next few weeks because I am the assistant stage manager for my college's production of The Tempest.  So on top of classes and homework, I will be in the theatre at rehearsal all afternoon and then evening and paperwork afterwards, needless to say I'm gonna be running around like a chicken with my head cut off- but I LOVE it!
Anyway, I just wanted to say I will post as often as possible and thanks for all of your support already and more fun things are going to come in the next year!  Please check back and stay tuned!

Sleep

Sorry for the lack of posts for the last couple of days, I was getting ready to come back to school so now that I'm back the posts will become more regular again.
I bought this little roller ball from Ulta a year ago, it is supposed to help promote sleep because it calms and soothes.  You put it on pulse points, so I do it on my wrists, inside of my elbows, and right underneath my neck.  It's a mix of lavender and chamomile, and it is very soothing.  I don't know how much it helps me to get to sleep but it does help to calm my mind just slightly.  It's really small but really potent, so you only need a small amount which means it lasts you a long time.  The only issue I have with it is the price, about $10 for this tiny thing.  I will definitely buy it again but possibly wait for it to go on sale :)
What are some of your favorite scents for bedtime? XOXO

Suave Professionals

I bought this shampoo and conditioner combination last summer when I was home and when I come home on holiday I use it.  You hear all these claims about it being as good as professional shampoos and conditioners in salons and I have to say that it comes pretty darn close.  I got the scent Rosemary + Mint, with the claim of it being an invigorating clean.  It smells amazing and it is a powerful scent but not completely overpowering.  It makes my scalp feel nice and tingly (not burning) and adds a nice scent to the bathroom.  It makes my hair feel really nice too, not super smooth or anything, but really clean without drying my hair out or stripping it of everything.  The other great thing about this combination pack I bought was that it was around $5 for the pack, so it is totally pocket friendly- especially for the college student! I will definitely buy this product again.

Do you have any purse friendly shampoo and conditioner that you LOVE? XOXO

And I had such high hopes...

I received the Cynthia Rowley Nail Rebuilding Base Coat in my stocking this Christmas, and I was so excited to use it because I have really peely nails.  After using it for two weeks with out any nail polish on top to help 'heal nails', I used it as a base coat (as told) under my favorite cherry red nail polish.  The day after I painted my nails, the polish started coming off in sheets! Pictures below:

As you can see, some of the nails had the polish come off in one piece and then all the others huge chunks were coming off.  Now, when I was little I had the same problem but for the last four years or so my nails were holding polish without chipping for at least a week so when this started happening again, I KNEW it was the base coat.  I was so upset that this didn't work for me because I have been looking for something to help rebuild my nails and keep them from peeling when not painted.  I will never, ever, buy this polish base again.  Also, when it was on my alone for two weeks, my nails started to look really lined and like they were even more unhealthy than when I started.  Definitely a product that is NOT worth your money, at all.

What nail polish do you use to help keep your nails from peeling and breaking? XOXO

Sephora Haul!

Today I went down to Santa Monica to spend the day with my family and naturally spent a good thirty minutes in the Sephora store.  What did I get? Let me tell you!
Soap and Glory Hand Food hand lotion
Soap and Glory Clean on Me bodywash, travel size
Bumble and Bumble Gentle shampoo, travel size
Stilla Convertible Lip and Cheek Color full size, Color: Petunia
Dr. Jart+ detox balm sample size
Bliss shower gel, sample size
I have been looking at the Stilla convertible color for lip and cheek for the past year or so, and I finally decided to let myself get it. The Soap and Glory products, as well as Bumble and Bumble products, are things that I've been dying to try since I started reading beauty blogs religiously.  Keep your eye out for reviews on these products!
Have you tried any of these?  What do you think of them?  XOXO

Extra Conditioning

About two weeks ago, I died my hair from red to my natural blonde so I needed to get something to keep it from breaking and drying out.  Enter L'Oreal's Nature's Therapy Mega Moisture deep conditioner.  I found it at a beauty store in the mall called Tiffany's and, no, nothing is packaged THE Tiffany's blue boxes or colored bags.  This store is basically like a Sally Hansen except only for hair, minus a few nail polish displays in the front.  This tub cost $11, and for the amount you get it's a great price.  I used it for the first time today, and really like it.  What you do is towel dry your hair after washing it normally and then put it in your hair, leave it for 3-5 minutes, and then rinse it out.  It's super simple, which is great and you don't have to leave it in forever which is another big bonus.  It smells just like the gels and balms and other products salons use.  It has sunflower seed oil, which is what I think gives it that extra oomph of smell.  It's not too overpowering  nor chemical smelling.  My hair already feels really soft after it finally dried, I have really thick hair so that takes a while.  I didn't have to use too much to get my hair good and covered in it.  The jar design is really helpful in getting the product out, but because of it's part oval part circle in shape it's a bit difficult to hold.  My first impression of this product is that I really like it, especially since I've never tried a hair mask or intense moisturizer before.
Do you have any over the counter hair masks or deep moisturizers that you really like to use? XOXO

Sponge it all away

My mom got this for me for Christmas, it's the Cynthia Rowley precision blending sponge, she found it at Marshalls.  I've been hearing a lot about the Beauty Blender makeup sponge, but it costs a lot for one little sponge.  This is a dupe, in all ways.  The material is smooth, and feels really good when it's blending things into my skin.  It's not rough and is easily rinsed out so that you can clean it.  I like that it has a groove in the center which makes it easier for me to hold onto as well as having the pointed tip helps to get into the areas around your nose and under your eyes.  So far I have only used this to put on foundation and I loved it, I haven't used it for blending blushes or anything like that yet.  All in all, I really really love this sponge and that's just after one use!
Have you ever tried this sponge or the beauty blender?  What were your thoughts? XOXO