Classic or Boring?

I'm not a trendy dresser.  Most of the items that comprise my wardrobe are some versions of pieces that have been wardrobe staples for as long as I can remember.  Sometimes I'm in style, sometimes I'm not.  I consider my style as 'classic'.  But the word 'boring' has come up in reference to my wardrobe.

We all have our sweats, suits, black dresses, and jeans.  But in addition to those, I can't live without some version of:

The Polo.  Feels like a t-shirt but the collar makes it a little more polished.

The Khakis.  I find them more comfy and versatile than jeans.

The V-Neck Sweater.  More flattering than the crew neck, and can be dressed up or dressed down.  Great for layering.

The Leather Shoulder Bag.  Either black or brown.  Goes with everything.  Comfy.

 

The Fleece Jacket.  Can be layered with heavy duty outerwear for maximum insulation, but still cute enough for a trip to the mall.

The Birkenstocks.  These make my feet happy.

Argyle.  From socks to sweaters, I heart argyle.

The Pearl Studs.  Go with almost every piece of jewelry I own.

 The Cute Summer Skirt.  Summer is for skirts.  They're so cute and girly and comfy.  Can't ask for anything more.

The Beaded Necklace.  I learned to wire wrap and now I make my own.  I love these in all different colors and patterns. 

Boring or Classic?

What are your staples?

Linked To:

Oldy but goody - Glow by JLo

I almost never wear perfume.  But when I do wear perfume, I really love JLo Glow.  Remember the ad?

The marketing concept is pure cheese, but the perfume is lovely.  And evertime I wear it, I am grateful that while Jennifer Lopez is sometimes a bit much, she has a good nose.  Not to mention, she has wicked awesome makeup a all times!

What cheesy product do you still use and love?

May 2010 Favorites

I've been keeping it simple this month - between the heat and how busy I've been, I really didn't have a choice.  Here is what I've been enjoying all May.  I love Favorites lists, so please post a link to yours!

Zoya Happi nail polish.  Perfect summery shade.  Will post swatches and review of this one shortly.

Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme is in the perfect little tin so it's great to take with you and use whenever you have a minute - red light, waiting for a friend, at the dog park, etc.  I love that this isn't greasy when applied. 

Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil is a wonderful soft nautral lip balm.  Even though it has a tint, it's clear on the lips.  I love the taste of this one - slightly herby and slightly fruity.  And tomorrow I will be getting a new one of these, because my dogs ate mine this afternoon!

MAC Mulch Eye Shadow is such a pretty shimmery buttery brown.  I've been wearing this one by itself washed over the lid.  Lovely.

Prestige Total Intensity liners glide smooth as butta and last all day, even in the sweltering heat and humidity.  Best $5 I've ever spent!

Milani Luminous blush is the perfect coral color with very subtle shimmer.  Adds a glowy flush to the cheeks that lasts better than cream blush in the heat.

My Kiwi sandals are so comfy!  The lether is soft and the sole is vibram, which equals comfort.  I heart these sandals.

My Skin Care Routine

Here is my skin care routine as it stands right now.  My approach to skin care is to keep it as simple and gentle as possible.  The more harsh products I use on my face, the more redness and irritation I then have to cover with foundation. 

CLEANSING:

I absolutely love the Bioderma Sensibio H2O.  I use this to remove my makeup and to cleanse my skin.  It does not dry out my skin, and yet it removes ALL of my makeup - including mascara and MAC fluidlie.  See my review of this one for more detailed info. 

I am still on the search for the perfect cream or sensitive skin geared cleanser, but so far I have had no luck.  If anyone is using something good, please let me know in the comments.  I am also still in the market for an exfoliator.  Again, this has to be geared for sensitive skin.  Everything I've tried is too hars and I end up using it as a body scrub - which is getting pretty expensive.

MOISTURIZING:

The best moisturizer I've ever tried is the Bioderma Sensibio Light moisturizer.  Another one I have reviewed previously.  I am on my third tube of this and it's amazing.  It has completely changed the properties of my skin, which used to be dry and is now in the normal range.  This is extremely moisturizing without being greasy, and soaks into my skin like a dream. 

In the day, I also sometimes use the Estee Lauder Daywear Plus. This is a slightly tinted moisturizer that gives me a bit of luminosity on non-makeup days or with just a light bit of mineral makeup dusted on my face. I like the bonus SPF15 of this one, but I don't like that the SPF is chemical and not mineral. 

OTHER:

The only eye cream I have ever tried that I feel does anything is the Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado.  It is extremely moisturizing, though it does not really reduce the appearance of fine lines - though I doubt the existence of that magic line eraser that we all yearn to discover at our local beauty counter.  See my review of this one for more info.

I recently started using a serum.  I am using the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair.  I scored this one at a CCO (Cosmetic Company Outlet) and I'm really enjoying it.  Is it doing anything?  My skin seems healthier and smoother, but that could be a placebo effect.  It may also be due to the Bioderma skin care.  Hard to tell.  I'll probably be revisiting this one in a couple of months.

I love the Dermalogica Super Sensitive FaceBlock SPF30 as my daily sunscreen.  It's great under makeup and I really like that it does not contain any chemical sunscreens, but is instead a mineral based sunscreen.  Because it goes under my makeup, I find that it is not too reflective on my skin and does not make my face appear white.

What are your favorite skin care items?  I love learning about other peoples' skin care routine, and what they think of the various skin care products.  There is so much out there, and it's nice to get honest reviews before I buy.  So if you do a skin care routine post or review skin care items, let me know!

My Favorite Tweezers

Since it has been raining, and therefore all outdoor activities have been suspended (the walk with the dogs left me DRENCHED), I went to the mall!  My sister was shopping for a new pair of tweezers.  Of course I had an opinion.  I love the Anastasia tweezers.  I have had mine for years and they're still just as good as the day I bought them.  There is no warping - the edges have remained true and sharp.  This allows so much precision, and easy plucking of even the finest hairs. These babies are totally worth their $30 price tag, because they'll last you for years and years.  And as a bonus, they're pink! :)

My sister got these tweezers and then called me about an hour after she got home to tell me how much she loves them.  I'm so glad she likes them too!

Favorite Things: Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment

I have never purchased a full sized Kiehl's product before I plopped down the $30CDN (or $25.50US) for the Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado. I'm not a huge believer in Kiehl's.  I think their products are on the most part quite overpriced for their not-that-special ingredients.  Kiehl's being owned by L'Oreal, I am not convinced that I can't get equivalent or better products in my drug store for a fraction of the price.

Having said that, I love this eye treatment.  It is the only eye cream I have ever used that results in a noticeable difference the next day.  This eye cream is basically an intense moisturizer, which is exactly what my dry undereye area needs.  This cream does not have any ant-aging properties, and what little amount of antioxidant it has is going to degrade the first few time the jar is opened, but it is the best moisturizer for my eye area.  Although this product is intensely moisturizing, it does not give me milia (the tiny white bumps you get when you use a moisturizer with is too rich).  Finally, this eye cream delivers on its promise to not migrate into the eye. So if you have dry skin like me, and your concealer tends to get flaky or cakey because of that dry skin, then you need this eye cream.  If, on the other hand, you have oily skin, then this is probably not the product for you.

If this eye treatment sounds like something your dry skin, but you are just not sure, and not ready to part with your hard earned cash to try it, do what I did.  Get a sample next time you are at a Kiehl's counter or store.  This cream is quite rich, so a little goes a long way.  So a sample will last you a long time.  I just transfered the cream from the sample packet into a clean MAC sample jar, and used it from there.  It lasted me about a month with daily use.  I have since bought a full size of this cream, because I can no longer imagine my skin care routine without it!

Favorite Things - A Little Piece of Bath Heaven

There are two Lush bath bombs that I absolutely love. From the scents to the fact that these are the slow fizzing bombs that leave the water creamy and fantastic, these bath bombs really are - a little piece of heaven!

Photos: Lush.com

SupernovaThis is the same scent as my Christmas LE bath bomb called 'Christmas Party'. The only difference is that the Christmas Party bomb has some really sharp glitter to it, so when it melts it leaves behind a plastic shrapnel that is less than pleasant when you accidentally roll over it in the bath. Supernova has 'confetti' in it - pieces of colored paper that soak up water and just sit there in your tub. Therefore, I 'sock' both bombs - I wrap them in cheese cloth so the stuff doesn't get into my bath water. Even with this slight inconvenience I love Supernova. It is a slow dissolving, lovely bomb, with a fresh clean scent. It leaves the water slightly creamy and slightly pink. This is the perfect bomb on a hot day, or when I'm taking a pick-me-up bath.

Haagenbath
My all time favorite Lush bath bomb! Haagenbath smells like chocolate mint, not my favorite of ice cream flavors, but it makes a lovely bath. Like Supernova, this bomb also leaves your water slightly creamy and pink, but it also has two bonuses. The first is a minty tingle. The second is the fact that this bomb is LOADED with cocoa butter! I LOVE THAT! Plop this one into a nice hot bath and you will be rewarded with the softest, most moisturized skin you've ever had. This is a great bath when the weather is super dry and your skin feels like it's two sizes smaller than your body.

The drawback to these two luxurious bombs is their $6.15 price tag, making them way too pricey for an every day item. But it's certainly worth every penny to treat yourself once in a while with one of these bombs in your bath. And yes, there are many imitations to the lush bath bombs, but scent wise you really just can't beat the original.

Review: Rosebud Salve

Photo: www.rosebudsalve.com

I have heard raves about rosebud salve for YEARS before I tried it. Why bother? It's just another lip balm. Not only that but it's one that's in a pot, and I HATE sticking my fingers into lip products. And to top it off it smells like ROSES - a bona fide grandma smell to me! However, on a recent trip to Sephora I saw these little tins at the check out line, gave it a sniff - not as grandma rose-y as I expected, so I decided to try it out. The verdict: this stuff is pretty nice for a glorified petroleum jelly. It leaves your lips silky smooth. It is not at all sticky and the smell is actually ok. The tin is big enough to stick your lips directly into, hence no need for getting your fingers all yuck.  At only $6 at Sephora for a considerably large tin, it doesn't break the bank. I smelled the strawberry one, but it was too sweet - sickeningly sweet - smelling, so I passed. Another tip: this is a salve, so not only can you use it on your lips, but anywhere else you have dry skin - elbows, feet, hands. Keep in mind that petroleum jelly does not soak into your skin, it forms a barrier.  As such, I use it on top of a moisturizer (after it sets) on dry bits to seal that moisture in. 

Favorite Things - Honey Mango Shave Cream

There is a gem waiting for you to be discovered at your local Trader Joe's. Hidden between vegan lotions, handmade soap and Tom's toothpaste, is by far the most superior shaving cream I have ever used. I had heard good things about it, but I was hesitant - I am not one for supermarket brand beauty products, believing that you do sometimes get what you pay for. But this orange tube of magic, with its $2.99 price tag, is the best thing to happen to my legs and underarms. Not only does this shave cream smell great, it is also LUXURIOUSLY thick and moisturizing. Don't expect this shaving cream to lather into a foam, but do expect it to leave your legs the silkiest they have ever been. I gave a tube of this to a friend of mine, akin to giving someone their first hit of a mind altering substance, and the next time I saw her she had just purchased 3 more tubes. Apparently not only is she a convert, but her hubby is as well. Once you try this shave cream, you will never go back to anything else. The only draw back to this one is that you will be throwing away your unused cans of Skintimate shave gel, and other foamy and drying shaving gels/foams- what a waste!

Favorite Things - Lush Hair Care

When it comes to my finicky tresses, Lush (www.lush.com) hair care is king. I was originally attracted to this line of hair products because they are silicone free. Since my hair is super straight (read: flat) and very fine (read: fly-aways), I was excited at the possibility of hair products that decrease build-up.
New Shampoo ($9.25/bar)
I absolutely love solid shampoo. It is the most portable wonderful product ever invented. Use it like a soap: lather in your hands, and then rub into your hair. Just remember to let it drain and dry in between uses, so that it doesn't turn into a slimy mess in a similar fashion to that abandoned soap in a pool of water in your soap dish. New shampoo leaves my hair beautifully clean and manageable without being drying. It smells lovely of cinnamon, but the scent does not last past the rinse, which is good news to perfume wearers and those who are not fans of cinnamon.
Veganese Conditioner ($8.75/3.3 fl.oz.; $17.45/8.4 fl.oz.; $25.75/16.9 fl.oz.)
I must admit that when I first contemplated silicone free hair care I was terrified that my hair would regress back to the consistency it was when I swam competitively. Veganese conditioner ensured that my hair not only maintained a straw-free consistency, but also left it softer and shinier than it has ever been. And the best part is that there are much fewer fly-aways! This conditioner smells slightly citrusy and works best for me when I mix it 50:50 with water. When diluted this conditioner spreads more evenly in my hair, and I end up using less to get an even coat.
Jungle Solid Conditioner ($9.95/3.5 oz)
Solid conditioner? Yep I know, it's weird. But this stuff works once you get the hang of it. The easiest way to use it is just to take a chunk and rub your hair with it. This takes a while longer than if the conditioner was a liquid, but the results are well worth it. If the idea of rubbing a hunk of solid conditioner does not sound appealing, then take a piece, cut it into small chunks, add water and melt in the microwave (in 30s increments, with stirring in between). This will form a paste that makes use easier. Also, this makes a great leave-in conditioner. Just rub a little into your hands and then spread on your wet hair. The smell of Jungle is very unique. It's a relic scent from Lush days gone by, and the best way to describe it is - it smells like the outdoors. Fresh cut grass, wild flowers, and a fresh breeze. It reminds me of laundry that was hung outside on a fresh summer day. Either way I use it, this conditioner makes my straight hair glossy, but not greasy...shiny, but not greasy...manageable, but not greasy. Wonderful.

The cons of Lush hair care is that it is not cheap. It seems like you're not getting much for the ding your wallet takes. But you get more than you think, as this stuff lasts for ages.

Now I must admit, silicone free hair care is not for every hair type. I have certainly read many accounts of night mare experiences with this haircare. However, there are even more accounts of people who started using silicone free hair care and have never looked back. Just remember, if you are going to give up silicones, you will have anywhere from a day to a week of yuckiness while you're stripping all the silicone off your hair. Call this a 'cleansing' or 'adjustment' period. And once you get through it, you will be rewarded by incredibly healthy hair!