I'm baaaack!

I'm back and it feels good!  I'm excited to start blogging again!

I apologize for my absence but I promise I had a valid excuse!  My home computer crashed and my only internet connection was my iphone for the past two months!  Finally the computer gods looked favorably on me and blessed my husband with the ability to fix our computer...all without a trip to the computer doctor!  Good news is that I am back.  Bad news is I am going to annoy you with a lot of posts, lol!

Since I've been gone for over two months, I wanted to catch everyone up on some items I have been loving lately.  I plan to do a "Best of 2011" post soon but here are some products that I've enjoyed since I posted last. 

First and foremost, where would have I been without my iPhone?  Without my home computer working, my iPhone was my ONLY connection to the internet and if you know me, I LOVE spending time online.   

I also have to mention my love affair with Bath and Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom scent.  It is one of those scents that I don't tire of.  It's soft, sexy and it makes me happy!  Lately I've been addicted to BBW and their 3 wick candles too.  I think I currently have about 10 in my house so my collection was not complete without a Japanese Cherry Blossom one!  I have really enjoyed the Japanese Cherry Blossom candle and fragrance mist.  You can find the candle at BBW for $19.50 and the fragrance mist for $12.00

Another favorite of mine that I recently discovered is Clarisonic thanks to QVC and I think I'm in love.  If you are not familiar with Clarisonic, it is a facial cleansing brush that utilizes a rotating brush head.  I usually use mine in the shower since they are waterproof.  I wet my face, apply my favorite facial cleanser (Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser) and use the Clarisonic all over.  I even use the Clarisonic on my hands, décolleté and elbows.  I notice that the Clarisonic has given me smoother skin in just a few weeks.  I can't wait to see how my skin will look over time.  I plan to do a full review soon.  I found my Clarisonic Mia 2 on QVC however they are currently sold out.  You can purchase a Mia 2 (or another model) at www.sephora.com for $149.00.  To learn more about the Clarisonic or to purchase, go to www.clarisonic.com

Of course a list of my current favorites would not be complete without listing some makeup and hair items.  I am loving my Laura Geller Bronze n Brighten like always.  It gives me a great glow that goes a long way during these dull winter months.  A foundation that I really want to share is Rimmel's Lasting Finish 25 hour foundation.  I chose the shade Soft Beige.  It really covers nicely, lasts a LONG time and goes on flawlessly.  I find that this foundation rivals many department store brands.  The good news is that it costs around $7.50! 

In addition to my bronzer and foundation, I have enjoyed a blush combination that really warms up my face but helps contour my cheekbones.  I have been using NARS' Lovejoy blush in the hollows of my cheeks then topping the apples of my cheeks with NYX's Terra Cotta blush.  Lovejoy is a gorgeous, bronzed rose which flatters many skin tones.  Terra Cotta is a warm, bronzed peachy shade that offers a nice shimmer.  Both colors together create a great look that warms up the face but looks natural.

Lastly I've enjoyed Korres lip butter in Guava, Urban Decay's 24/7 liner in Baked and One n Only's Argan Oil.  Urban Decay's Baked liner compliments my brown eyes and helps them to "pop".  I love pairing this liner with MAC's Woodwinked eyeshadow.  Korres lip butter helps my lips stay moisturized and One n Only's Argan oil is a cheaper but wonderful alternative to Morrocan Oil.  I usually apply argan oil in the cooler months to my hair when it is still wet after I shampoo.  Since I have somewhat oily roots, I focus the oil toward the ends of my hair.  I then comb my hair and blow dry.  The argan oil moisturizes my hair, leaves it smooth and helps keep it straight.  You can find Urban Decay's 24/7 liners at Ulta for $18, Korres Lip butters at Ulta for $12 and One n Only's Argan Oil at Sally's for $9.49.

~~~~~~~~~~~Elf Blush~~~~~~~~~~~

Top L-R-Tickled Pink, Pink Passion, Mellow Mauve

Bottom L-R-Gotta Glow, Blushing Rose, Fuchsia Fusion

Right after Thanksgiving I decided that I needed more blush shades to play with.  I have a crap ton of blush already but I wanted to experiment with other colors.  The best way to play with color is to try shades that won't break the bank.  Elf (eyeslipsface) is a great brand to try out if you haven't already.  I really enjoy their blushes, brushes, eye shadows and lip gloss.  Many of their products are only a $1 and for just two more dollars you can try their Studio Line which is a great deal.  I ordered 6 blushes from their studio line and since they only cost $3 a pop, I don't feel very guilty!  So far I have enjoyed Mellow Mauve, Blushing Rose and Pink Passion.  Gotta Glow is a golden highlighter and it seems to work very nicely.  Tickled Pink is a little too light for my skin tone and Fuchsia Fusion is a bit glittery for my taste.  Overall I am very pleased with my choices.  You can purchase Elf lip gloss and eyeshadow at Target and Kmart.  You can purchase the whole product line at www.eyeslipsface.com

~~~~~~~~~~~Boscia Eye Treatment~~~~~~~~~~~

The last product I want to mention is one I just purchased.  A while back I received a bag of samples from Ulta and there was a sample of Boscia's Enlivening Amino-AG Eye Treatment to try.  I really enjoyed the sample so I decided to purchase a full size.  The box states that the silky gel-cream will help moisturize the eye area and reduce puffiness and dark circles.  I hope this eye treatment works and I'll keep you posted with any results I may have.  You can find Boscia's eye treatment at Ulta for $38.00 for 0.5 fl. oz.

 

Weekend Haul

Like most folks, I work for the weekend!  I spent the day with my sister and a friend shopping at some of our favorite stores.  Of course we could not miss Ulta or Bath and Body Works...what girl can't?  I picked up a few items I wanted to share that I will hopefully give reviews on once I get a chance to use them for a few weeks.  The products that I am already familiar with will be given reviews below.

L-R- Bath & Body Works "Hawaii Coconut" shower gel, OPI's "Purple with a Purpose" polish, Focus 21 Seaplasma moisturizer and Nexxus' Humectress Luxe Leave-In moisturizing spray.

B&BW "Hawaii Coconut"-I love coconut and Bath & Body Works' "Hawaii Coconut" is the answer to my need for a new shower gel.  I want to think about the summer and warmer weather so what better way to do that than to smell like a tropical island?  You can find this shower gel at your local B&BW store for $10.50.

OPI-I wanted a bright color for my toes since sandal season is upon us.  I have SOOO many pinks, corals and reds that I decided to go with this gorgeous purple.  You can find OPI's "Purple with a Purpose" at your local Ulta store for $8.50.

Seaplasma Spray-I recently watched a Youtube video where Focus 21's Seaplasma moisturizing spray was featured.  After shampooing and towel drying your hair, you spray this generously to help control frizz, provide moisture and remove tangles.  Focus 21 states on the bottle that you can use this spray on both your hair and skin.  This spray can also be used as a fixing spray on the face over make-up.  Women with straight, curly and ethnic hair can use this spray.  You can find Seaplasma spray at Ulta for only $5.99. 

Nexxus Humectress Luxe- I have used this product in the past with success.  This extremely light yet nourishing spray is wonderful for dry, tangled hair.  After showering and towel drying my hair, I spray this directly onto my hair.  My hair is extremely coarse, wavy and dry so tangles are a constant struggle.  This spray not only helps with the tangles but it does moisturize my hair and smells nice too!  The spray is a fine mist and is meant to be left in and not washed out.  My hair is always much softer after I use this product.  You can find Humectress Luxe leave-in spray at your local drugstore for $10.49.

Top row- Laura Geller's "Bronze-n-Brighten" in Medium and NYX Blush in "Peach"

Bottom row- EOS hand lotion in "Cucumber".

Bronze-n-Brighten- I have owned this product for almost 5 years and I am just now buying a replacement!!!!  This is the absolute best bronzer that I have ever tried.  I love bronzer.  Bronzer gives skin a glow and definition.  I use bronzer on my cheekbones and all over-even for the décolletage area.  I feel super pale without it!  Bronze-n-Brighten is simple to use, just swirl your kabuki brush in the product and apply.  It doesn't take much to go a long way and that is why my first compact lasted so long.  Yes it costs $31.00, but it is worth it.  Laura Geller bakes her blushes, bronzers and face powders which create gorgeous swirls of product in the pan.  You can even see the clay pan they are baked in (if you ever make it to the bottom of one, lol!)

Top row- Swatch of Bronze-n-Brighten in "Medium" and a new compact of Bronze-n-Brighten

Bottom row- 5 year old compact (clay pan visible) with small amount of product still there!!

NYX Blush- I have heard a lot about this little blush on the web.  I really enjoy NYX products.  Locally I find NYX at my Ulta store.  They are (in my opinion) a step above most drugstore brands of makeup.  They make great things like the famous Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil in "Milk" and their single eye shadows which rival MAC.  NYX also has lovely lip gloss and lipsticks.  I had never tried a blush by NYX, however I heard that the color "Peach" was great blush.  Recently my Ulta remodeled the NYX section and expanded by carrying more products, like blush.  I picked up "Peach" today and I think the quality and color is nice.  NYX blush can be picked up at Ulta or at http://www.nyxcosmetics.com/ for $6.00. 

L-R- Swatch of "Peach" and a closeup of the blush.

EOS lotion- You may have seen some EOS products lately.  You can usually find them in your local drugstore and they are easy to spot because the packaging is very unique.  EOS is known for their super-cute, egg-shaped lip balm.  Lately EOS introduced their palm-sized hand lotion and its been a big hit.  I have been able to find it at Walgreens and Rite-Aid for $3.99.  First the packaging is small and easy to fit in a purse or pocket.  It also doesn't hurt that the lotion works wonderfully-its not greasy and it absorbs quickly.  The scent I chose, Cucumber, is light and appealing.  I love the fact that the lotion fits well into my makeup bag and that it is easy to carry to work or on road trips.  My hands are always dry and I've enjoyed this lotion-that's why I needed another one!