03.29.2013
MAC Launches A Dessert Line (For Your Face, Duh)

You guys know about my obsession with beauty products that smell like food, so it should be NO SURPRISE that I’m clearly excited about the April 11th online debut (in-stores on April 18th) of MAC’s new limited-edition Baking Beauties Collection.  I can’t even give an accurate description of the sugary line, because I’m THAT excited.  Ok, that’s slightly crazy but I can tell you that it’s a sugary mix of pastels with a face powder that has a cake pattern etched into it.  I kind of hate when brands do cool designs in powder compacts because it truly makes me not want to actually USE THE PRODUCT and then I end up keeping it for years and, once again, prove how gross I am.  Anywho, make sure you check out the limited-edition collection stat.

03.13.2013
Sponsored Post: Jergens Natural Glow – Month 1 (and $250 gift card giveaway!)

 

 

If you read my blog, then you know that I’m a perpetual user of the most amazing invention in the world, self-tanner.  To be honest, there isn’t enough time in the day for me to tell you every single mishap that I’ve had while trying out various brands and products…let’s just say, there have been many.  My personal favorite story is 100% the time that I did what I call a “slop job” (e.g. quickly apply self-tanner in a hurry) before my BF at the time came to visit me at college.  It was summer and we were going to a big outdoor all-day concert and I will never forget what he said to me:

Ex BF: Are you really going to wear that skirt?

Me: Yeah…why?

Ex BF: Your self-tanner looks terrible…people are going to think I punched you in the legs.

Fact. That happened…which is exactly why I’m super pumped to test out Jergens line of new Natural Glow Moisturizers over the next three months; great color with no gross self-tanner smell.  Make sure you check back to see my progress using the new line!

NEW Jergens® Natural Glow Moisturizer provides the same great, natural-looking color but without the sunless tanner odor!

Share your embarrassing tanning story for your chance to win a $250 Visa gift card.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Jergens Skincare®. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules.



02.28.2013
Beauty Products Actually Worth the Money (and that I buy for myself!)

It’s not that often that I actually spend my own money on beauty products.  Sorry, but it’s a true story.  However, these are the products that I just simply ADORE and can’t live with out, free or not.  Watch the video to hear all of the captivating details and don’t forget to to subscribe to my YouTube channel!

Vivicscal Extra Strength: My hair growth miracle.

Yes to Cucumber Facial Towelettes: Perfect makeup cleansing cloths for my dry, sensitive skin!  Seriously, I’m obsessed with these.

Clinque Even Better Makeup SPF 15: It’s a moderate to full coverage (with SPF!) and the foundation also helps prevent new discolorations from forming.

Aquaphor Healing Ointment: I put this on EVERYTHING.  Got a skin issue?  Put some Aquaphor on it, no joke.  It’s an all-purpose skin products.

Moroccan Oil Treatment Light: The new-ish version (for fine hair) is even better for my hair, since it doesn’t weight it down but still smooths and prevents frizz.

10.24.2012
My Current Skincare Regimen

I try not to play product favorites but I have to admit, my skin has been in pretttty good shape lately.  And this means: only minor breakouts, no dry patches, not a ton of redness and hyperpigmentation…so I, naturally, had to share what I’ve been religiously using.  I’ve already blogged about most of these products but hey, here’s a roundup, in one place, so you can see everything that I’m currently using and loving:

Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free SPF 42: SPF, SPF, SPF.  Wear it every day, all day.  I’m a big Shiseido SPF girl because their sunblock formulas tend to be on the lighter side and don’t make you feel greasy and gross.

Darphin Aromatic Cleansing Balm with Rosewood: I told Darphin’s PR rep that I had dry, sensitive skin and she reassured me that I would LOVE this cleansing balm.  In fact, I believe she may have used the phrase “heaven on your face,” and yes, she was correct.  If you don’t like skincare that has fragrance, this might not be for you but I love how luxurious this cleanser feels and it doesn’t dry out my skin.

Kate Somerville DermalQuench Liquid Lift Advanced Wrinkle Treatment: I’ve had my fair share of Kate Somerville treatments so any time they say they’ve captured a portion of one of their amazing (and costly) treatments in a bottle, I’m sold.  I’m into the cool burst of moisture and I like that I feel very high-tech when spraying it on my face (3 lines on each cheek and one on the forehead).  YES, ma’am.

Freeze 24/7 Ice Cream Double Scoop Intensive Anti-Aging Moisturizer: Aside from the fact that this product has “ice cream” in its name, it really is a fantastic anti-aging moisturizer…and, believe me, I’m picky about my moisturizers.

Kiehl’s Rosa Arctica Eye Cream: I’m clearly a big Rosa Arctica advocate but the eye cream is also pretty fantastic.  They say moisture is pretty much the most important thing to prevent wrinkles and fine lines and this eye cream has it.

Kate Somerville Neck Tissue Repair Cream with Peptide K8: I’ve blogged before on my fear of my impending turkey neck and, because of this, I’ve been AVID about using neck products.  It’s a little too early to say that I’ve seen “improvements” (since I’m only 29) but I have good faith that this product will work because it’s Kate-endorsed.

10.19.2012
Spray Tan with Infinity Sun

A few days ago, I got THE MOST AMAZING spray tan ever and I even tweeted this, which, I admit, kinda makes me hate myself.  I shouldn’t care that I look better with some color but, fact of the matter is, I DO.  It is what it is, right?  But in all honesty, I was extremely impressed with the quality of Infinity Sun’s spray tan; the all-natural product was applied perfectly even and the color was natural and not orange at all (Jessica Alba, Brooke Burke and Britney Spears are all fans).   

As someone who used to go in the automatic spray tan booths, I can definitely see a big difference in the quality here, since the spray is actually customized by a person, and not automatically sprayed on by a machine.  And yeah, I know getting naked in front of a total stranger can be a little weird but after a few minutes, you’ll be fine- don’t worry.

 

photo: me at the Stella & Dot Breast Cancer Awareness event wearing Banana Republic dress, J. Crew bracelet, nude pumps c/o Sole Society.

08.16.2012
Baby’s First Chemical Peel

I’m not gonna lie, I was definitely a little scared when I agreed to try out a SkinCeuticals chemical peel at Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery, Inc.  In my head, whenever I think of someone getting a chemical peel, I think of Samantha from Sex and the City and the aftermath of her peel (see HERE for a photo)…oh my god, I can’t even.

However, I was pleasantly surprised and delighted with the results!  I tried out the MicroPeel which is a 30 minute treatment that helps reduce the primary signs of photoaging — fine lines and wrinkles, dullness and visible skin imperfections.  The steps?  They were simple and best of all, didn’t hurt at all.

Step 1: Dermaplanning – manual exfoliation to physically remove dead epidermal skin cells

Step 2: Alpha Hydroxy Acid – chemical exfoliation to clear clogged pores with the applicaton of a SkinCeuticals AHA solution.

Step 3: Cryogenic Therapy – My favorite part.  They applied frozen carbon dioxide “slush” to further remove obstructive debris, blackheads and sun-damaged skin cells.  This treatment is anti-inflammatory, tightens skin and reduces the prominence of pores.

The verdict?  My skin was incredibly smooth and people told me that I looked like I was glowing for days after.