is loving the Olay Professional Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System

Confession:
I'm not too happy with how my skin is aging. I spent my teens and early 20's sans sunblock and am paying the price now.

I frequently try new skincare products and I guess I'm secretly hoping for a miracle. It's a vicious cycle I tell you but I take it on willingly. I switch products pretty regularly and rarely re buy an item because I'm on to the latest product.

This will be my exception. I love this! It leaves my skin feeling soft, smooth and fresh without ever irritating it. I've used it with several different cleansers and it works equally well.

Love love love it!

Read more here

PS - I even caught hubby using it the other night

did the easiest self manicure ever!

These Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips are genius! Within, 10 minutes I had a professional looking manicure with no drying time. I'm hoping it will last through the week; if so I think I found my new Friday night pastime.

Plus look at all these fun color choices!

I choose the fishnet effect and I'm very happy with how it came out.

*Disclaimer - My Hubby helped me a bit

couldn't resist a great deal

Philosophy shower gels - 3 for $33!!
Ummm, yes please!

I chose be somebody green tea, be somebody water lily and vanilla ice cream. Plus to get qualify for free shipping ( did I ever tell y'all I'm a sucker?) I bought purity made simple one step facial cleanser.

Can't wait for that to come in the mail...

conquers the knots!

My daughter Olivia's hair is thick and long (she's just three and it's halfway down her little back). It's also slightly wavy and just about the knottiest hair I've ever seen. She's actually a really good candidate for dreadlocks if she were ever interested.

Here's what I use to tame her mane:

Tangle Teezer brush.
I use this on wet and dry hair

CVS detangling spray
This is cheaper than other brands and works just as well. I use this on wet and dry hair

Johnson's No More Tangles Leave in Conditioner
I use this on wet and dry hair

Rusk Sensories Invisible Foam Detangler, this product is discontinued but find it here.
I use this immediately after I shampoo her hair and comb it through.

How do you combat tangles? Any tips?

got a mani/pedi

It's our anniversary this weekend so I've been doing a little preparatory preening. I got my nails done earlier today and the color still hasn't grown on me. It looks like the whiteout I used to paint on my nails as a bored teenager in class (Did you do that too?)

Well take a look for your self. Maybe I'll try it again in the summer on tanner skin. Also keep in mind there's no real flattering way to photograph feet.....

OPI Alpine Snow

Whatcha think?

tried Keratin

I'm still jonesing to try out a professional keratin treatment but am nervous to shell out $300 for a temporary fix that will last only three months. Truthfully speaking for me to spend that much it would have to be guaranteed that my bad jersey mall rat hair would become become "air dry-able"....

In the meantime, I'm going to try out some OTC (haha) keratin products. First up is Vitaderm Keratin Hair Moisturizer, I have it on as we speak. It's from a Brazilian beauty brand that's been around since 1984.

Fingers crossed, it'll combat this frizz........

needs a new skincare regimen

A few of my current skincare products are running out and I don't think I'll be repurchasing them. They've worked well enough but I'm ready to find something I truly love....

What I'm retiring:


Lancome Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate
I would try the night cream or the cream serum versions
from the Genifique line
(mostly because I'm a sucker for clinical data)

Philosophy The Great Mystery - 1 Minute Facial
It has a great scent and is convenient to use in the shower.
However, I haven't noticed any improvements in my skin.

What I'm coveting:

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate

What are your miracle products? What do you recommend?

and my Stila obsession

One of my favorite makeup brands is having a weekend clearance sale. Check out Stila's warehouse sale here. The gift sets are great values, I may stock up on a few to give as Christmas gifts. (Yes, I'm that girl who Christmas shops all year...)

Two's Day: Body Lotions

I'm currently rotating 2 body lotions, one with SPF that I use in the morning on exposed skin and one super moisturizing one for at night immediately after shower on damp skin.

AM: Eucerin Everyday Protective Body Lotion SPF 15

This has a very creamy texture and leaves a white residue if not fully rubbed in. However, for a lotion with SPF at an inexpensive price point it's been working really well for me this summer. or I buy it at CVS, I really love CVS for deals on cosmetics and toiletries. I often combine coupons and extra bucks and wind up with completely free items.

PM: Oil Of Olay Quench Ultra Moisture Body Lotion with Shea Butter

Again this is great because it really works and you can buy it anywhere. There is also a deep moisture version but I don't care for the scent of that one. The ultra moisture scent is very clean and fresh, like soap almost.


And of course there will always will be a place in my heart for the pricey Kiehl's Creme de Corps.

What are your faves?

is still loving Jazz

The Essie nail polish that is....Although I dig the musical kind too sometimes.





I choose this color for my most recent mani/pedi after seeing it featured in the J Crew stores. I figured I'd give it a whirl even though it's pretty different from my usual sheer neutral pale pink shades. I like it a lot and would definitely choose it again. It's not as "greige" as so many of the colors the magazines are raving about. It's described as a neutral creamy beige taupe. I'm sold, this color looks great with a tan and will probably look equally good in the fall when the weather drops.




What do you think? Would you wear Jazz?











PS - Don't stare at my feet too long. I just did and realized how odd feet really look.
(But hey, that was my best shot at 11 at night with bad living room light taken on a tortured iPhone.)

can't wait to buy another lip gloss

Not just any lip gloss...

This Fresh Sugar Plum Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15:

I'm going to justify it by saying that I now collect all Fresh lip treatments. I blogged about it's sister Fresh Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15 here.


What do you "collect"?

loves Sephora

A few weeks back, I took advantage of a 15% off promotion at Sephora and combined it with 2 gift cards I received for my birthday. I tried a few new products I've been eyeing and of course tried some new items courtesy of all those great samples.

Here's what I purchased:

Kim Kardashian Perfume - I like this scent, I've noticed lately I'm drawn to scents with tuberose as one of the notes. Here's what it says on Sephora about it: "The essence evokes Kim's sultry style with crisp top notes, lush mid notes, and a sexy drydown. Gorgeous, voluptuous florals reflect her allure, while soft jasmine, tuberose, and gardenia mirror her femininity. Tonka bean, jacaranda wood, and sandalwood add a warm, sensual base."


Fresh Sugar Rose Lip Treatment - I have the original version of this and love it. I actually don't think there's anything from Fresh that I've tried that I haven't loved. This is a very thick but soft lip treatment that leaves your lips so soft and lasts for hours. It's also great as a lip gloss base. The Rose version gave my lips a slight natural pink color. Here's what it says on Sephora about it: "Fresh Sugar Rosé Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15 is everything you love about the original Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15, but now you get the added benefit of a natural rosé tint that provides buildable color. With one slick, this stick provides immediate hydration and smoothness—instantly soothing cracked or chapped lips and diminishing the appearance of fine lines. It provides SPF 15 UVA/UVB protection to shield your lips from the damaging effects of the sun and delivers a hint of tint for a natural, universally-flattering look. It's packed in a travel-friendly, screw-top tube."

Clean Summer Perfume - I tried to like this perfume but after 2 days it had to go back. It wasn't my taste, it reminded me of citronella or bug spray. Here's what it says on Sephora about it: "CLEAN Summer Eau Fraiche is your first class ticket to the balmy, breezy, warm weather months. This fresh, floral essence evokes the exhilarating feeling of a bright, sunny day. Italian limoncello, crisp bergamot, and rose ice create a sparkling impression that mingles with graceful notes of Mirabelle plum, Lily of the Valley, and soft musk."



What have you bought lately?

got a mani and pedi

Before having my girls that might not have been such a newsworthy event. I went fairly regularly, once every week or week and a half. After Olivia, I was still able to go every two weeks with the help of my mom but now with Sophia I manage to go about once a month. I relish that time alone to sit and veg out with my iPhone or a juicy magazine.

In the past I've been pretty boring with my color selection, always choosing barely noticeable sheer shades such as Essie Mademoiselle, Ballet Slippers or Waltz. I liked my nails to look natural and also felt like the chips showed less (a huge pet peeve of mine).



Lately,I've been stepping out of my comfort zone and in the past couple of months I've gotten shades like lavender, mauve and today's shade of Mocha. It's by OPI, Barefoot in Barcelona and I'll admit I choose it based on the name alone. I used to live in Spain and Barcelona is one of my favorite cities in the world......Check it out:



Since I was on an aesthetic self improvement kick, I did this mask from Aveda. I really needed it, my skin gets so wonky every Spring.





What's on your beauty regimen?




Until tomorrow,






PS - Oprah was on in the nail salon interviewing that twit Rielle Hunter who was making excuses for just about everything, Oprah - "Do you think you hurt his wife?" Rielle -"I don't know, you'd have to ask her." Um gee, she's suffering with cancer and you slept with her husbandant and proceeded to get pregnant - WTF do you think?!?! She almost ruined my afternoon, but I didn't let her.....

brought out my spring perfume

Do you do that?
I like to change my perfume each season, I just find certain scents vibe better with certain times of the year. Come spring, I like to put away my heavier, muskier scents in favor of something lighter....

The scents I retired:



My Glow - Jennifer Lopez
Sensuous - Estee Lauder
Jovan White Musk
Live Platinum - Jennifer Lopez
YSL Parisienne


The scents I resurrected:




Covet - SJP
Burberry The Beat
Chloe
Still - Jennifer Lopez



Do you change your perfumes each season?

bought another lipgloss

I had been reading about this new Lip Tint from Clark's Botanicals for several weeks already and was totally jonesing to try it. But how could I justify ANOTHER lip purchase...???

Cue the May issue of Lucky magazine which contained a 30% off coupon (coupon code - luckybreaks3) . I logged on and began the color selection process. On Monday, I bought Carlotta Pink which was described as a sheer bright pink and a universally flattering shade. It arrived with today's mail! I couldn't believe how fast it got here....

This is my type of product - sheer, glossy and shiny but not sticky. It's the type of lip gloss you apply all day without having to look in a mirror.

Clarks's Botanicals was created by a former Allure magazine editor after a life changing swimming pool accident, read more about the touching back story of Clark's Botanicals here.



By the way don't forget to enter my Peacock Accessories giveaway - ends Friday!





Until tomorrow,

loves Target even more!

While strolling the aisles of Target this week, checking out the new Liberty line I came across a steal (in my opinion)......

Weleda products at a deep discount - I'm not great at math to figure out the % - but one item was $28.77 and was reduced to $6.68. Now, I've never been one to pass up a deal and this was no exception, I bought the entire line.

Weleda Wild Rose Moisture Cream
Weleda Rose Cleansing Lotion
Weleda Rose Facial Tonic

This is what the Weleda website says about the Wild Rose line:

"It’s a specially formulated selection of wild rose products that nourish and revitalize with nutrients that support the reawakening of supple, radiant skin. Worth more than its weight in gold, organic rosehip seed oil promotes skin renewal with exceptionally high amounts of antioxidants and essential fatty acids that replenish your natural moisture and help reduce the appearance of fine lines."



I have a thing for skincare and am desperately trying to use up my Lancome Genefique (maybe more on that in a future post). I've used Weleda before and have been very happy with the quality of the product and the fact that's it's organic is an extra plus in my book. As a side note, they also make a great diaper cream. I've used it on both my daughters.

Read more about Weleda here.

Seriously how gorgeous is the Weleda spa, I'd love to have a facial there.






Have you ever tried Weleda?

Until tomorrow,
Hilary

fell for the hype!

I recently purchased 2 new beauty items in the hopes that I will look better without makeup.

L'Oreal Concentrated Lash Boosting Serum - I'm just using the serum once a night. They recommend twice a day, under mascara as well but I'm not crazy about the feel. I figure it might take longer but if it works it works. My lashes used to be very thick and long but I think the years of constant mascara have damaged them. Do you think that's possible?

L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base - They say you can wear this alone or under your makeup. It gives your skin an even uniform appearance while minimizing fine lines and discoloration. I bought this last night and will try it for the first time later today or tomorrow. I'm optimistic!



The verdicts not out yet-I'm giving both products 1 month before making my final evaluation. I'll keep you posted....Go to www.lorealparisusa.com to sign up for the mailing list to receive coupons and samples if you'd like to join me in testing out these new products

Have any beauty ads sucked you in lately?

Stole her husband's shower gel (again!)

I just love the way it smells...

Burt's Bees Natural Skincare for Men Body Wash
.
It smells fresh and clean but not too masculine. It has an herbal quality to it that reminds me of Aveda Shampure.



Whose beauty products do you steal?

Until tomorrow,
Hilary