New series of posts

Something that makes me unbelievably happy at any given moment is makeup shopping. As much as I love going to the cosmetics department at Nordstrom and Macy's, I really love going to the local drugstore, Wal-Mart, Target, CVS, Walgreens. . . . all of them make me smile. The inconvenient part of drugstore shopping is that you can't try on the products to be sure you are going to like them, however. . .they are so modestly priced (for the most part) that once you figure out which lines have the best specific products (foundation, mascara, lipstick, etc) its pretty easy.

Here's what I'm going to do: The next few posts will be titled "The Best Line for. . ."(fill in the blank)
I've spent a good amount of time (and have no problem spending more) searching for who makes the best what. Stay tuned, up first will be foundation!

So fresh and so clean!

One thing that I can finally say I don't need (because I've found the one that works for me) is a body scrub! Exfoliators are my weakness! Ok, so actually ALL beauty products are a weakness! Hahaha! However, I love body scrubs. I have an obsession with getting my skin as soft and smooth as humanly possible (without any "procedures"). So here it is:

Soap & Glory
Sugar Crush Body Scrub

It's found at Target and I LOVE IT! It has macadamia grains, brown sugar, and lime for a margarita smell. It makes my skin feel super smooth, and all the scrubby particles wash away in the shower. It isn't abrasive to the skin the way some scrubs are. Nor does it leave an oily resideue on the skin. I always recommend you use a body lotion after your shower to lock in moisture, but its especially necessary after exfoliating, since you've scrubbed off old skin cells and want the new fresh ones to feel great! Give it a try and let me know how you feel about it!

Your daily routine

It always fascinates me when I see women in their day to day lives and what they do, or don't wear. Mainly, their faces! I know there are mornings when its easier to forgo the effort of putting on makeup, but here's what I know:
When I wear makeup, no matter the amount, I'm more awake during the day, feel more approachable, and most importantly, I feel prettier than the days that I don't wear makeup.
There are some who don't believe in leaving the house without having "their face on." And I really think there's something to that. Makeup is supposed to be fun, not a chore. Many mornings before work I want to do the least amount of work possible to get ready.
So here's what I propose:
Try to dedicate 5 to 10 minutes for makeup. Time yourself! Whatever you can get done in that time is all you get! I'm slow, so for me that could only be concealer, powder, mascara and if I'm lucky blush. It's a fast and messy (on my hands) job, but that little bit makes me feel more put together.
Give it a try and see if it helps. Like I always say, take it or leave it!

A lazy girl's dream!

One of my least favorite things that I deal with on a daily basis (and can't get away from) is washing my makeup off! Part of it is sheer vanity. I think I look pretty with it on, so no, I don't want to take it off. Hahaha! Another part is after all my hard work in the a.m. it sucks to wash it all away in the p.m. But mostly its a chore to do when I'm already tired. For awhile I've been using various makeup wipes to get my makeup off but I found some AWESOME ones!

Almay Oil-Free makeup Remover Towelettes

I've used the Almay eye makeup remover pads and like them but I prefer something that will take EVERYTHING off my face. These are awesome because they really feel like "towelettes" as they call them. They are super gentle on the skin with no stinging or leftover residue. AND they remove makeup really well!

On those lazy "I've been out too long and can't bring myself to do it" nights, I grab a towelette, hop in bed, and wipe my face down before clicking off my bedside lamp. Give them a try! (I found them for only $4.99 at Wal-Mart!!!) Budget-friendly!

No two things are alike. . .

I'd like to start by saying that everything I post here is with love and pure intentions to help, and make you laugh. So please don't take this the wrong way. And I know 99% of you won't believe me and will still harass sales people at makeup counters. Hahaha! But please read carefully:

Your favorite color from whatever line its from will NOT be found elsewhere. SO STOP TRYING! What I mean is this: If Ruby Woo lipstick from MAC is your favorite red, (God forbid it ever be discontinued) you WILL NOT find it anywhere else, BY anyone else! So don't go to Clinique with the remnants of the Ruby Woo tube and expect to find a match. Because here's the deal: SOMETHING will be different. Whether it be the color, consistency, wearability, and (of course) packaging. It won't be the same.

What you can do, is find a similar product or something new altogether. You never know, you might find something you like better. But please do not drive the makeup people crazy swatching and trying on 15 lipsticks only to discover none of them are your old fave. (They were never going to be!) Its made of completely different ingredients.
So, maybe this will help you shop smarter in the future.

*ok, part of this truly was "an angry makeup lady gripe", but it had to be said. Hahaha!*

Take it or leave it!

Shopping: budget shopping and oldies not yet gone

I think a problem I have is that I assume we all know the same information. But just in case, let me tell you about The Cosmetic Company Store. Its found in most outlet malls and this is what it is: AWESOME!

You know when you go to your fave makeup counter and they have their different promotions and limited edition displays? Well, we (shoppers) fall in love and buy one of that perfect lipstick. Because lets be real, lipstick seems to last forever. . . until you find yourself scraping out the bottom of the tube and refusing to share with your friends! Hahaha!

What happens is this: The Cosmetic Company Store has a bunch of those limited edition products and for cheaper (great for shopping on a budget)! I mean things you haven't seen in quite some time. That eyeshadow kit you saw at MAC last Christmas? It's probably there! So check it out. Hope you find some treasures!
And if you do: STOCK UP! (Refer to Favorite Color post)

Your Favorite Color

What I'm about to tell you is meant to save a lot of heartache, so please do not take it as an angry gripe from a "makeup counter lady". Hahaha! We all come across those PERFECT COLORS whether it be blush, eyeshadow, lipgloss; whatever! And nothing is more devastating than going out to the store months, maybe even YEARS, after we first discovered and purchased that favorite color and being told its GONE! AHHH!!!

Now gone can mean a variety of things: discontinued, limited edition, phased out. So with that being said, here are a few things to consider doing when you come across these treasured favorites.

#1: Ask the sales associate, "Is this part of your permanent collection, or a
limited edition color?"
- If its permanent, you should be safe because that means it is constantly being produced with no intention of disappearing.
- Your follow up question should be: is it being discontinued? If so, that means they will no longer be making it and when its gone, its gone! (The same can apply to limited edition colors)

So. . . proceed by buying MULTIPLES! However many is up to you and your budget. I once bought 5 Fanplastico lip lacquers from MAC because its my "perfect red" and was told it was being discontinued. May sound crazy, but I have yet to reach for that red and be disappointed!

#2: Make a friend!
The point of this is not to get deals, because most companies have policies against that and no one is trying to get in trouble here! (Bad economy= must keep a job! lol) The point is to have a go-to person at your makeup counter that will clue you into changes. If they like you, they're going to remember to tell you when they see you next that your mascara is being reformulated, or your eyeliner you loved 2 years ago is coming back out!
Kindness and respect go a long way. Add a smile and see how far it takes you!

#3: Just to clarify, some limited edition colors do come out again at later times with new collections. Keep that in mind, because it may be a few months, or years, but they can resurface again at another time.

I hope this is helpful to some of you, really if it only helps one person, I'm happy! Check back later for advice on the perfect place to shop!

My new lipgloss

Let me start by saying I LOVE LIPGLOSS! At any given time I can have up to 8 different shades on me. Sounds ridiculous, I know, but I'm just giving you the facts. Hahaha! However, I feel that many of us are on a never-ending quest for that "perfect" lipgloss. Well I think I've found it!

Many glosses are pretty, but some of the common issues: too sticky, smells weird, tastes weird, too much glitter, not enough shine, etc. Let me introduce you to Estee Lauder High Gloss ($16)
I've tried their Pure Gloss before and liked it, so while shopping with a friend at Century 21 in NYC, I stopped at the counter hoping to find a new color. Well this gloss is AMAZING! Great shine, thick formula, but NOT STICKY!!! Finally, someone got that perfect consistency down pat, and it smells so good! I will be wearing this one for awhile! Check out their various colors at your nearest counter or go to www.esteelauder.com!

A beauty blog?

A beauty blog. I just want to say that I love makeup. Its playful, it transforms people, and I really enjoy doing makeup. I guess its only fair to also state that i love ALL beauty products! Nail polish, hair products, shower/bath stuff, any and all things girly are my thing. I was having a conversation with a friend of mine and from it decided that I would share some awesome products and beauty tips that I've gained over the years and those that I come across in my shopping travels.

Please take this as you would anything else you come across: Take it or leave it! I'm not claiming to be an expert, just sharing what I know.
And with that. . . Let's have some fun!