Summer Skin

If you couldn't tell from yesterday's post, I have summer on the brain. And if May goes as fast as April did, in just a few short weeks the weather will be warming up nicely and summer will be (un)officially here. #cantwait

To get ready for bare leg (and arm) season, I've been doing a bit of prep. You see, no matter how much I try to moisturize and limit the amount of scalding hot showers I take during winter, once spring rolls around, my skin still looks dull, dull, dull. Thankfully, with the help of a few of my favorite skincare products, once the weather warms up, I will be ready for my favorite shorts and skirts. That is once I buy them...

Daily: Lavender soap from Trader Joe's

This soap was an impulse buy last summer as I saw "lavender" and "France" on the label, and was immediately transported back to Provence. It's become a staple since it's not just moisturizing, but the little bits of lavender in the bar offer a gentle exfoliation on a daily basis. And of course it smells amazing.

At Night: Bio Oil and Palmers Cocoa Butter

I have been using Bio Oil and Palmers interchangeably for old scarring and yes, stretch marks. I really can't tell which one is better, but I do know they work and are really moisturizing. I love using Bio Oil as my nighttime moisturizer as I wake up with the softest skin ever.

Weekly: Trader Joe's Lavender Scrub

Have you picked up on the fact that I love lavender/skincare products from Trader Joe's? My favorite scrub ever. Super moisturizing and incredibly effective. 

Weekly Occasionally: Banana Boat Summer Color Self Tanning Mist

With no time for a lotion, I first used this tanner right before graduation last year. I've kept a backup supply ever since. Even though it is a spray, it's super easy to apply and looks very natural as well. Also, thanks to Chelsie, I now know it come in a lotion as well!

Daily: Lubriderm Daily Moisture with SPF 15 

Can I be honest? My use of sunscreen is sometimes abysmal and relying on the minimal SPF in my lotions and face products is just not enough! I got the bejesus scared out of me last summer in Bermuda when I learned that the UV for the day was listed at 10 or very high and I had ZERO sunscreen on. I've been making a conscious effort to protect my skin as much as I can, and have starting incorporating lotions with SPF, until the heavy duty sunscreen is needed for the summer sun. While I love my summer skin products, nothing beats having healthy skin to put those products on to begin with. Amiright?

What are some of your favorite spring/summer skincare items?

My Three Makeup Bag Musts

I can officially say I've completed my spring cleaning for this year. After tackling my closet, makeup drawer  and everywhere else I could think of, I concluded with my everyday makeup bag. My friends have always referred to my makeup bag as "CVS," since given it's contents, it's safe to say that I am prepared for almost anything. Really what that translates to is a bag full of unnecessary, and often, useless items, which then makes my handbag heavy. No bueno.

While the whole idea of the overhaul was to get rid of the excess, there were a few things that I kept and added to the mix, even if I may not use them very often. I call them my "little life savers" since having them on hand makes a world of difference and because they make my day go that much smoother.

The Life Savers: Mascara by Benefit, Earrings from my Etsy, Friction Block Stick by Band Aid

Mascara 

Every now and then I find myself going through my entire makeup routine yet somehow forgetting my most important step: mascara. I'm usually too far from home (or too late for the train...) to turn back, so adding a backup mascara to be applied at my destination or on the train, (I'm so discrete I swear!) was necessary.

Earrings

Like mascara, I just don't feel like myself without a pair of earrings. I feel naked without them! Again, adding a backup pair of earrings just made sense. I just need to remember to put them back in my bag after I've worn them!

Friction Block Stick 

I've lost count the amount of times I've decided to wear a pair of new or uncomfortable flats while parading around the city. I think the reason it keeps happening is because I have this little miracle stick with me at all times. A quick swipe before or after with a band aid and I'm usually good to go. I also love it in summer for sandals and "flip flop burn." Truly a must.

What are you're essential backup items?

Spring Cleaning

So the weather this past weekend? Just spectacular. The blue, sunny skies, and warm-ish temps, had me in the best mood and in the mood to get some spring cleaning done. Spring cleaning for me usual centers around my closet, discarding what I haven't worn/what I don't like and what doesn't fit. While I absolutely hate this type of cleaning, it becomes a win-win situation as clothing that no longer fits needs to be replaced with clothing that does. I love when the odds are in my favor!

Once I got started on my closet, there was no stopping. My dressers, storage closet, and even my little corner in my dad's office all got refreshed and reorganized. The last stop on my spring cleaning tour was probably the most important: my makeup drawer and everyday makeup bag. While I take very good care of my makeup, (sterilizing after each use, etc.) I have a tendency to keep makeup, that I don't like, and worse, has expired. I know, it's terrible and not to mention, gross. 

 I think the lip lacquer and gloss are at least 6 years old...

Like my closet, cleaning out my makeup means room for new products! One of my favorite things about discarding empties the Back to MAC program. If you're not familiar with it, MAC has a program where you bring in six empty MAC products and in exchange, you get a free lipstick (at the counter) or a free lipstick, eyeshadow, lip gloss (at a freestanding MAC store). These empties bring me to a total of 12 empties. Two free products!

info via

Did you get any spring cleaning done this weekend? Are you good at cleaning out your makeup?

Hair Inspo

As much as I want to shop for spring, the inspiration to do so just isn't there yet. Trust me, I've tried-the snow on the ground (and more on the way) is definitely a bit of a deterrent. But I am feeling a change. Since a wardrobe "refresh" may not be happening right now, I've decided to shift that focus to my hair instead. 

My hair is something I barely ever change, because I can never decide what it is exactly I want to do or what sort of look I am going for. This time around I feel a bit more inspired and while I am still not 100% sure on everything, I am almost certain I want to go lighter with the warmer months on their way...eventually. Of course Pinterest has been a great help in narrowing down potential styles, because truthfully, what isn't Pinterest useful for nowadays? 

How do you go about a big hair change? 

Highlighting & Contouring

One of my all time favorite beauty tricks has to be the art of highlighting and contouring. In a nutshell, highlighting brings light to areas of the face and makes them more pronounced, while contouring makes other areas "sink in" and appear slimmer!

New Beauty Buys

MAC: Fix+, Hozwat eyeshadow from the Iris Apfel collection, Love Nectar lustreglass, AVEDA anti-humectant pomade, ESSIE Winter 2011 Collection 4 Piece Mini (purchased here),  SMASHBOX powder and primer

I have been on quite the beauty buying binge lately. I figured with the new year (it's still new, right?) there was no better time to stock up on some new products.

Some of the above are tried and true products that I have been using for years (like MAC Fix+ and Love Nectar, Smashbox primer) and some are new that I have no idea how I lived with out. One such product is Aveda's anti humectant pomade. The combination of this pomade and my keratin treatments, its hard to believe that I don't chemically straighten my hair any more. The pomade does wonders at keeping  hair straight. 

I wish I could say my beauty binge was over, but I have been planning a trip to MAC all week to check out the "Shop, Cook" collection and NARS just came out with a new tinted moisturizer. See, no end in sight.

BTW: In case you didn't see or hear about it, the FDA published a list of 400 lipsticks that contain lead. You can check them all out here. Since the study was conducted in 2010, I hope some necessary changes have been made...

Makes Scents

When it comes to perfume, I am extremely picky. I often get sick from them, so when I find a scent I love, I stick to it. Forever. These are my tried and true perfume favorites: 

Bath and Body Works Moonlight Path

Moonlight Path is my absolute favorite scent from B&BW. I wear it everyday since its nice and light and in no way overpowering.

Gucci Rush

I call this my "feeling sassy" perfume. It is very sexy, but then again, it is Gucci! I love the blend of spicy and feminine, floral notes. 

Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb 

This is my special occasions perfume. When I first started working at Nordstrom, I was helping a SA from fragrance wrap gifts and she was wearing Flowerbomb. It literally stopped me in my tracks, it smelled so heavenly. We bonded over the fragrance and the UK (her home) and before my shift was over, she brought me a generous amount of samples. It's been a love affair ever since.

DIANE by DVF

This one is very near and dear to my heart. When I need a bit of a confidence boost or a pick me up, I wear it and imagine Diane von Furstenberg giving me some of her words of wisdom. 

What are your favorite scents? Light and floral? Strong and Musky?

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DIY: Clip in hair extensions

Clip in extensions are a fun, temporary way to switch up your look on special occasions, or for everyday. No matter the length or color you want,you can easily make them yourself.

For the past year or so, I have been making these for my friend about once every 3 months. Not just for the (cheaper) cost, but because the color and texture of the pre-made ones didn't match her hair very well. I like to use human hair for the simple reason that it can be heat styled and because they last quite some time (with proper maintenance).

So lets get started:

My top 4 beauty products to save on

With a little extra holiday cash hopefully still available, and a new year just days away, what better time to get some brand new beauty products? Saving money doesn't have to mean scrimping and getting poor quality items, but can actually mean getting more bang for your buck, and having more money available for splurge items. Here are a few of my favorite beauty products I love to save on:

Eyeshadow: Many cheaper eyeshadows can be chalky, and not very pigmented but NYX is the exception. Being a MAC girl, I was a bit skeptical at first, but boy was I impressed. NYX shadows are highly pigmented, come in a variety of finishes, and most importantly they last! They even have dupes of  popular MAC shades. At $3-5 a piece (depending where you purchase from) get every color your heart desires, without breaking the bank.

Two of my favorites Silver and Rust (Rust is a dupe for MAC's Cranberry.)

Hair Treatments: Some of the best deep conditioning treatments can be found right in your own kitchen. Olive oil, avocado, mayonnaise, honey and eggs, in various combinations based on hair needs, help protect, condition, and moisturize hair. Over the summer, instead of selling me one of the salon treatments, my hairstylist recommended using a mixture of honey and olive oil once a week, to give my hair much needed moisture as well as shine. Like she said, "Its from nature, so it is better".

Mascara: Diorshow and Lancome Hypnose are wonderful mascaras. I have used both and love them. However, the truth of the matter is mascara needs to be replaced at least every three months and at $24 a tube, four times a year, that's a total of $96/year.  Drugstore brands, such as my personal favorites CoverGirl LashBlast and L'Oreal Voluminous, get my lashes as fabulous as their high end counterparts, at a fraction of the cost. Average savings? $72 a year.

Brushes: Makeup brushes are an essential part of the makeup application process. With brands like Sigma Beauty and Sonia Kashuk making high quality brushes at affordable prices, there is no need to spend a fortune for "designer" brushes. My favorite eyeshadow brushes are actually by Loew Cornell. Never heard of them? That's because they are painters brushes from Michael's Arts and Crafts! They are the best shadow brushes, and are identical to my MAC brushes. They come in a variety of sizes, and are under $4 a brush.  They are a staple in my makeup stash.

Beauty Review: Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector

Product: Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector

What it does: "A clinically proven serum that visibly reduces dark spots, age spots, and traces of acne past"

Price: $49.50


Pros: Leaves skin feeling soft and smooth


Cons: Expensive,  Did not work as expected


Rating (5 being the best, 0 being the worst): 0/5

My Review:  While watching TV one day over the summer, a commercial came on for this new product by Clinique that would help lighten dark spots. I'm always skeptical, even though the first results could be seen in as little as 12 weeks sounded promising.  

I went to Sephora, as I always do with big ticket beauty items, for a sample to see how it would react with my skin. The sample lasted me about two weeks, and in that two weeks my skin felt smooth, and great after application, but broke me out pretty badly (on my cheeks especially). I figured it was because I was using a new product and that usually happens as it brings the impurities to the skin. I overlooked that and continued to use the product.

I was warned that using SPF with this product when going outside was essential, since the ingredients in the Clinique serum, could reverse the lightening process. I used my sample, despite breakouts, as recommended, with SPF, twice a day. After I ran out of the sample, I purchased a full size bottle at Nordstrom since 12 weeks was the time frame to see the beginning results.

When I started the full bottle at the end of July, since I was scared of the reverse affects, I was only using the serum at night, and twice on days when I was home. I started using toner and eventually the breakouts subsided, but not without leaving new scars. I continued to use the serum, and loved the way my skin felt after, because it made my skin very soft and smooth. 

I really wanted this product to work, and continued to use it religiously. However, after 5 months, (or more than 12 weeks), my skin has not changed. The scars I had before, I still have now, and as mentioned before, I got a few new ones from the breakout that occurred when I first started using the spot corrector.  For $50, it is extremely pricey, and after reading reviews on a number of websites, success has been hit or miss. I had a miss, maybe it will be a hit for you.

*All products and their reviews are solely my opinion.

"Poor Girls Clarisonic"

Every forum, blog, or YouTube video I see, rave reviews and the ever growing cult following for the Clarisonic brush. Of course I have fallen in love with it, but as much as I would love to buy a Clarisonic, shelling out $200 on anything other than a textbook or any other school related expense is just out of the question right now (thank you college!).

So I went on a search, for a cheaper alternative to use in the mean time. While browsing Specktra, someone posted about using the Face Complexion Brush from Sephora and called it "the poor girls Clarisonic". Now, let me preface the next statement by saying, I have nothing to compare it to, as I have never used or seen a Clarisonic brush, but for what its worth, this little brush at just $5 sure does wonders at removing my makeup. The bristles are soft, it is gentle, and works extremely effectively. I apply either my Philosophy Purity or DDF Salicylic Wash to the brush, and work it like a Clarisonic, swirling the brush circular for about a minute to cleanse. When I swipe with toner after, the cotton comes up clean and the end result, is makeup free, fresh looking skin.

I'm sure when I do get a Clarisonic I will wonder how I even compared the two, but for what its worth, this little brush is my $5 wonder.