Beauty Pet Peeves

Okay, so this post might sound a little mean, but I think it's kind of hilarious. I mean, we all have these, when we see other people commit certain beauty crimes, we cringe. Some get me more than others, but here's my list.

1. Mismatched foundation/skin color that leads to the "foundation mask." Or unblended foundation. Shudders abound. I hate this. It makes me want to grab someone and blend for them. Sometimes, if it's a close friend or someone I know, I'll actually do that.
2. Lashes that are curled STRAIGHT UP and don't actually curl, they just stick up straight... hideous. You curled too much and used too much product. It's like they curled, did a coat of mascara, curled, another coat of mascara and curled again. It's gross.
3. Lip liner that DOES NOT MATCH YOUR LIPSTICK. That's all I have to say about that.
4. Over-plucked/drawn in eyebrows.
5. Blush overload. Seriously? Do you want to look like a kewpie doll?
6. Super thick "winged out" black eyeliner.... especially when it smudges. Especially when they have an attitude like they're such amazing make up artists...please, honey.
7. MAC snobs. There are other, incredibly good make up lines out there, and owning a shitload of MAC products does not make you a "make up maven". Expand your horizons, sweetie.
8. Wearing 6 inches of make up all over your face. We are NOT on stage.
9. Orange bronzer. And glittery bronzer. And not knowing how or where to apply bronzer, yes it will make your face look dirty.
10. Paint by numbers eyeshadow. It is exactly what it sounds like. Your eyelids are NOT a paint by numbers canvas. Stick to 3 colors MAXIMUM for day, please.

Seriously, ladies, make up is meant to enhance what is there, not to completely change the way you look. It is not necessary to wear it every single day. It doesn't matter what anyone else says to you. It's your choice and you're beautiful with or without it. It is not always about the physical, remember that.

some recommendations...

A friend and I were talking earlier today as she asked me for a recommendation for facial moisturizer and a toner for sensitive skin. After I hemmed and hawwed and gave my recs, I asked if she thought this would be a good idea for a blog post: my most recommended skin care products. Enthusiastic yes! So, this is for all my girlfriends (Amanda, Alexa, Shawna, Anna, and the rest of you) who ask me for advice on how to take care of their skin. Here is a fairly exhaustive list of products that I know work for different skin types and that have worked for me, both high end and drug store brand. Hope that you all enjoy.

I'm going to do this in clumps, i.e. different face washes that I think are good, then different toners, then different moisturizers, etc. It will be a mish-mash of drugstore and high end.

#1 Face Washes: Murad Clarifying Cleanser: this stuff works really well, it gets everything off my face, leaves a tingly feeling and doesn't over dry my skin. It uses sulfur and salicylic acid (I believe) to kill surface bacteria and it is my primary face wash and definitely my first choice.

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash: this was my original holy grail face wash, I've mentioned it before when discussing the discontinuation of the product that made it the holy grail, the overnight acne treatment. However, this is still a really great face wash, I have it in my bathroom at my parents' house and I still love it. It gets my skin really clean, but it does leave it a bit more dry than the Murad.

Aveeno Foaming Cleanser Clear Complexion: I used this for a while and I didn't love the results I got, I feel like I personally need something a little stronger and, ahem, medicinal, than the Aveeno products. However, if you have sensitive skin, and are also acne prone, I would definitely recommend this to you. It's gentle, it removes makeup and is a nice face wash.

Clean and Clear Deep Action Cream Cleanser: I used this in middle school and I love it. It's a little too thick and creamy for my tastes now, but the tingly feeling you get when you rinse it off is amazing! I think if you have drier skin or normal skin this would be great for you, but it is a little intense for oily skin.

Ole Henricksen African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser: I love this stuff! It's perfect for all skin types, gentle enough for really sensitive skin, and it leaves my skin looking radiant. Seriously, the difference between the way my skin looks when I wash with Neutrogena or Murad and this is MAJOR. It's a great morning cleanser, when you're not washing off all the dirt from the night before, but you want a clean slate before you put on any make up. I also use it during the summer when I'm in and out of the pool teaching, it helps keep my skin from drying out too much from the chemicals.

#2 Face Masks/Treatments/Scrubs: Clean and Clear Morning Burst In Shower Facial: This is great in the shower. It literally makes your skin feel so soft and so clean. It's super easy to do, you just smear a decent layer all over your face in the shower, I do it while I'm shaving my legs, and you let it sit on your skin for about a minute. Then you massage it into your skin, and it has these little exfoliating beads in it, it feels so good. It leaves your skin feeling clean and refreshed.

Murad Clarifying Face Mask: This is my favorite face mask to use. I love the way you can feel it tightening your face as it dries, and the smoothness of your skin when you rinse it off and the way that it literally shrinks any blemishes by at least half by the time you rinse it off. It's a little pricey, as most of Murad's line is, but it's so worth it. This and the face wash are the only things I would absolutely recommend from the Murad line.

Neutrogena Blackhead Eliminating 2-in-1 Foaming Pads: I love these things! They take off all my make up and they exfoliate all in one. They have a nubby side and a smooth side, they don't foam up too much but they lather nicely and they get the skin totally clean. (With this I recommend also buying the Blackhead Eliminating Facial Scrub and using the scrub in the shower after your regular face wash and after you have rinsed the conditioner from your hair.)

Benefit Cosmetics Honey! Snap Out of It! Scrub: Love this scrub. I've been using it for years. It's actually not my favorite from Benefit, I was obsessed with the Pineapple Facial Polish, but they discontinued that. (Boo! Hiss!) The exfoliator pieces are actually like walnut shells or something, so they're pretty intense but as a once a week or twice a week treatment, this thing is amazing.

#3 Toners: Neutrogena Clear Pore Oil-Free Astringent: I've been using this stuff off and on since I was maybe 11 and my mom brought it home for me. This came after Sea Breeze! I like it, it's good on keeping skin tight and it does help with keeping skin clear. Not sure if it's my favorite toner though. I also really like the Neutrogena Acne Stress Control toner.

Kate Somerville Clarifying Treatment Toner: I didn't particularly like this for my skin, it's pretty mild and I love (seriously, love) the stingy feeling with strong toners, I just feel like it's working! However, it is a great toner for people with sensitive skin. Kate Somerville does a wide range of products and many of them are amazing for people who have sensitive skin, so for all of you, I recommend this.

Ole Henricksen Grease Relief Tonic: Personally, I've never used this, but I've heard only great things. First, that it provides great oil control if you've got oily skin and second, that it's easy on sensitive skin. I love Ole Henricksen, seriously, the only thing I wasn't crazy about was his acne face mask and that's only because I discovered the Murad one first, and it worked so well for me, so I didn't really give the Ole Henricksen one a chance, I suppose. Anyway, his toners are lovely, and they smell nice. His whole line is pretty fantastic as far as skin care goes.

Ole Henricksen Balancing Cucumber Face Tonic: Again, this one is great for the sensitive skin crowd. This toner is refreshing and gentle and a beautiful teal color. This is best for those of you with normal to dry skin, because it replenishes the skin but doesn't control oil production or shine. Another amazing thing about Ole Henricksen's toners and face washes is that they are HUGE. You get an insane amount of product, 12 full ounces. Pretty amazing when you consider that Neutrogena gives you less than 10, I think. (8, to be exact)

#4 Acne Treatments: there needs to be a disclaimer here! I have acne prone skin and literally will try anything to keep my skin clear. I decided to make this its own little section instead of throwing these products into random categories. I won't, however, mention products here that I've already mentioned in other categories. I'm sorry that these are pretty much only higher end, but these are what I've been using because I haven't found any drug store treatments that work well. (except the Neutrogena overnight acne treatment, which they stopped making.)

Ole Henricksen Roll-On Blemish Attack: This lil' guy is pretty amazing. It comes in a roller ball type container, and it has a solution in it that contains both benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. You roll the ball across your finger a few times to get the product out and then apply to your face. They recommend using it only at night because benzoyl peroxide can cause increased sensitivity to sun exposure, but if you already wear sunscreen every day (and you should!) then that isn't an issue. I think it's more a matter of personal preference. I use it every night, and in the mornings when I feel like I need some extra fighting power.

Ole Henricksen Blemish Attack Daily Defense Gel: This is sort of like your typical spot treatment, except you apply it to your whole face rather than just one spot. It's formulated with salicylic acid and zinc, to minimize surface bacteria and help treat existing blemishes. I apply this in the morning after I've washed my face (and toner, if I feel like I need it, usually I only use toner at night) and before I've put on moisturizer or anything like that. I let it "dry" or sink into my skin completely before I put anything else on my face. If I'm using the Roll-On Attack, I still apply the gel first, and apply the roll-on over the top but I don't wait for the gel to dry before applying the roll-on attack.

Ole Henricksen Invigorating Night Gel: On the jar it says "oil-free gel helps vanish the appearance of fine lines, pigmentation and breakouts with AHA." I love this stuff. The alpha hydroxy acid helps resurface your skin, promoting new cells and a younger, smoother looking surface. It's surprisingly gentle, although it does take some getting used to at first, and can sting a teeny bit when used with the roll-on attack, if you use a significant amount of either. I use this every night and after the first month I saw a huge improvement in the way my skin looked and felt. Definite must-have, even if you don't have acne prone skin. (it's not necessarily an "acne treatment")

Murad Clarifying Mask (see above)

#5 Moisturizers: Ole Henricksen Vitamin Plus: This is a fantastic, lightweight moisturizer. It also helps mattify skin. I used this all summer because it was so perfect. The only downside to this product is that it doesn't have sunscreen so you have to slather on another product over it and some sunscreens react oddly with the moisturizer and cause it to sort of peel off, making it look like your skin is peeling. (Neutrogena sunscreens, I'm looking at you!) However, it's the perfect summer moisturizer for all skin types, but I find that it's best to get something a little heavier when your skin starts to get dry when it starts getting cold out.

Clinique Moisture Surge Moisturizing Gel: I just started using this moisturizer and I love it. It's the moisturizer I've switched to for the winter, but it's still pretty lightweight. I have noticed some dryness on my face, still, but I'm not sure it's a great idea to look for something heavier, since I am acne prone. This makes my skin velvety soft; I use it every morning on my face, neck and chest.

Benefit Firmology: I use this moisturizer on my neck and chest at night before bed. It has firming "agents" in it that tighten your skin. I've noticed a definite improvement in my skin on my neck and my chest since I started using this. (actually, since I started using moisturizer on those areas.)

Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer SPF 15: I used this during my Aveeno phase and it's a nice, light moisturizer. This one has salicylic acid in it, so it helps control acne while you're using it. Ultimately, I prefer something stronger for my acne treatment and since I found a whole regime from one brand that works for me, I stick to that. This is a really great moisturizer, however.

#6 Eye Creams/Serums: Garnier Fructis De-Puffing Eye Roller: I love how cooling this stuff is. It really helps with puffiness under the eyes and it dries pretty quickly. The metal roller ball is soothing and helps get circulation started throughout the area.

Clinique All About Eyes Serum: This is essentially the same as the Garnier, just Clinique, so it's more expensive. I love them both, however, and I use them both, so I decided to include them both. I don't think one is necessarily better than the other.

Khiels Abyssine Eye Cream: This is probably my favorite eye cream to date, although I'm not using it at the moment (because it's hiding at my parents' house!). It's lightweight but definitely super moisturizing. Kinda pricey but worth it.

Clinique All About Eyes Rich: I really like this eye cream, although I do think it is too heavy for day time use, and could make eyes look and feel greasy during the day. At night, however, it's like an amazing moisturizing blanket for your eyes. I think in combination with the Khiels, this would be a great day and night combo.

Okay, this post is WAY too long, so I'm going to cut myself off here, I hope you guys enjoyed it though. I'm sure there are plenty more products I could think of so maybe when it's not finals week, I'll do another. Enjoy!

Signature Scents

Do people actually have signature scents anymore? I feel like everyone I know, men included, has at least two or three scents that they wear, rotating them in and out, but most people don't just have ONE scent that they wear day in and day out. It's not like women (at least the women I know) have their day scent and their evening scent anymore, which alludes to a much simpler, more traditional time, when evening was the only appropriate time for seduction to arise.

Here are some of my favorites, I've even researched them a bit (descriptions are from Sephora.com) to provide top-notes and the like so you can get a better sense of the perfumes.

#1 (possibly all time favorite, ever) Dolce & Gabbana #3 L'Imperatrice (The Empress): top notes: rhubarb, kiwi accord & red currant; heart: pink cyclamen, watermelon, & jasmine; base: musk, sandalwood & grapefruit wood. Light, floral/fruity, very girly. My only issue with this scent is how quickly it disappears off the skin. I don't really mind though, I'd bathe in this one. On my second bottle, and they're decently sized.

#2 (definitely the one I get the most compliments on) Acqua di Gio pour homme: notes of: marine notes, mandarin, bergamot, neroli, persimmon, rosemary, nasturtium, jasmine, amber, patchouli and citrus. I know this is a cologne, but I literally have been stopped on the street, in line at CVS and by friends in class when I wear this. I don't know what it is about it.

#3 (my "signature" from 16 to about 19, also my first "serious" perfume) Chance by Chanel: notes of: white musk, pink pepper, jasmine, fresh vetiver, citrus, iris and patchouli. I first smelled this at rehearsal for a Marilyn Izdebski show, I think it was Annie, and Lily Harowitz, a girl who went to my school, busted this out. I thought it was the most fabulous smell in the world. My mom got me my first bottle for my 16th birthday, and I've been buying it faithfully ever since. I think I'm on my third big bottle. I still love it.

#4 (reminds me of Hawaii, the beach, and all things summer & relaxing) Ralph by Ralph Lauren HOT: notes of: mocha, cream, cinnamon and maple. I think it's hilarious that these are the main notes in this scent, because to me it smells like spicy coconuts. Literally like the beach in the middle of the summer, when it's hottest, with the Hawaiian Tropic tanning lotion scent hanging low in the air. Fabulous, even it is a little kitschy.

#5 (this is my newest but it's fresh and so nice on days I'm feeling schlumpfy) Garden of Good & Eva: notes of: pear, watermelon, ozone accords, muguet, rosebud, jasmine petals, green violet leaves, freesia, sandalwood, musk, cedarwood. This is one of their newer perfumes, and I love it, from the bottle to the scent. (the bottle looks like a mini martini shaker!) So cute on my vanity!

#6 (the best Benefit scent ever, and I've smelled them all) Laugh with Me Lee Lee: notes of: cassis, melon, black violet, jasmine, blonde wood, amber, santal. I love this. My best friend and I absolutely love this perfume. I bought it first, told her she had to go smell it, she went and was gift shopping for a friend but couldn't resist buying it for herself as well. Such a great smelling perfume. So pretty.

#7 (love this, I always smell this on my older brother's girlfriend and it stops me) Coco Mademoiselle: notes of: orange, bergamot, jasmine petals, morning rose, patchouli and vetiver. Again, one of my first serious fragrances and one that I have bought so, so many times over.

#8 (great scent, but I think I might be allergic to something in it) Beachy by Lilly Pulitzer: notes of: watermelon, citrus, marine air accord, jasmine, tiare flower, frangipani, salt crystals, amber and vanilla. I'm not sure why, but I sneeze a little bit every time I wear this, which makes me sad, because I love it. I'm noticing a major pattern, 7 out of 8 of these scents have jasmine in them as one of the main notes. Hmmm, think I like jasmine?

This is by no means an exhaustive list of great fragrances, hell, it's not even a complete list of all the perfumes I own, but these are some of my favorites. Definitely the ones I keep coming back to, at least. I'm on my third bottle of Chance, third of Coco, second of D&G and second of LeeLee. I don't know that I understand the obsession with fragrance, I know we all want to smell good, but I couldn't tell you why I need upwards of 12 perfumes. I love me some perfume, and I love pretty bottles on my vanity.

October/November Favorites 2010

I thought it would be fun to talk about the products I have been reaching for over the last couple of months. I'm loving certain things and using certain products over and over again. There's a variety of higher end and lower end products, and, there are, of course, skin care products (my favorite). Here we go!

Skin Care:

-Clinique Moisture Surge

-Murad Clarifying Mask

Face:

-Benefit's Porefessional

-Bare Minerals Matte in Fairly Light

-Dior Bronze Matte Sunshine in 002 Honey Matte

-MAC Powder Blush in Desert Rose

-Benefit Prrrowl

Eyes:

-MAC eye shadow in Grain

-MAC eye shadow in Era

-MAC eye shadow in Amber Lights

-MAC eye shadow in Cork

-MAC eye shadow in Ricepaper

-L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara

-Make Up Forever Smoky Lash

-Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara

-NARS duo eye shadow in Key Largo

-Urban Decay Big Fatty Colored Mascara in Indigo & Flipside

-Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Underground & Lucky

Lips:

-Korres Jasmine Lip Butter (I literally own five of these!!!)

-NARS lip stick in Barbarella

-NARS lip gloss in Giza

-MAC creme sheen in Fashion Whim

Brushes:

-MAC 266

-MAC 217

-Sephora Professional 15 Small Eye shadow

Perfume:

-Benefit Garden of Good and Eva, Laugh with me Lee Lee

-Michael Kors Island Capri

-Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio por Homme

Kind of a long list, but literally what I have been reaching for almost every single day. I'm loving the way my face is looking lately, and I think that these products are to blame!

Winter Nail Polish 2010

So, I was doing my nails today and I realized I have some fantastic fall/winter nail colors that I wanted to share. Some of these get tons of love and some of them just don't. All are OPI and all are cream formulations. (My favorite). These are in no particular order...

1. Chick Flick Cherry-great deep, classic red

2. Manicurist of Seville-very pretty, pinkish-berry color

3. You Don't Know Jacques-the original "gre-ige"

4. St. Petersburgundy-self explanatory...

5. Bullish on OPI-amazing orange-y red, festive

6. Paint My Mojitoes Red-amazing faded reddish orange, more of a summer color but great on toes year round

7. Can You Tapas This?-I don't even know how to describe this one, fantastic purple-y grey, burgundy

8. Pandamonium Pink-pastel lavender pink, so pretty on fingers

9. Just a Little Rosti at This-fantastic deep, dark red, kind of vampire-y

10. Suzi Says Da-chocolate-y purple-y brown

11. Polar Bare-nude, fantastic

12. Ski Teal We Drop-perfect greenish teal, fabulous, it's what's on my nails now, great dark color

So there you have it, this is by no means an exhaustive list, but I love these ones and they are always on hand. I love winter because I love dark colors, for some reason I really like dark nail polish on short nails on people who have fairer skin tones. I'm off to bed. Just my two cents for the day.

My One True Love: Mascara

I am in a serious mascara funk, y'all. This is hugely problematic, since mascara and perfume are just about the only beauty products I insist on wearing every single day. I have tried so many mascaras in my make up lifetime. Over the summer I finally cleared out some of my make up and literally counted 20-something mascaras in my collection. Who needs 20+ mascaras? (I threw away many.) I've done most of the drugstore brands, the only ones I really love are Covergirl Super Thick Lash (my original holy grail, the very first mascara I bought for myself, discovered thanks to the Lovely Twins at Shawnigan) and Lashblast. I've tried L'oreal Voluminous, Maybelline Falsies, Colossal, Full n' Soft, Sky High Curves, XXL Double Extend, Almay, I mean, I've tried just about everything. (Sky High Curves was pretty great.) I've also hit the other end of the spectrum with YSL Faux Cils, Diorshow, Bare Minerals, Laura Gellar, Fresh (Firebird and Supernova), Make Up Forever Smoky Lash (love!), MAC Dazzlelash, Urban Decay, Lancome, Clinique...you name it, it's been on my list. I still love my Diorshow Iconic, but I feel like my eyelashes get used to it and it isn't always as incredible as it could be. (Can eyelashes even get used to mascaras?!?)

I want to know what else is out there. I mean, there have to be other options, I flat out refuse to believe I've tried it all. I have long eyelashes but I love lengthening, separating mascaras, I'm not huge on volume, but it's nice if it comes with lengthening. I get asked if I'm wearing false eyelashes regularly, including by make up artists at counters at Nordstroms and the like. I feel like my eyelashes are in a rut. You know, sometimes you get into the groove of a particular look, same eyeshadow, eyeliner, blush, mascara every single day, and it just feels weird after a while. I keep coming back to Diorshow Iconic and Covergirl Super Thick Lash, but I'm just not excited about them right now. I want a new holy grail. I want a new "holy crap those aren't her real lashes" tube. I love the look on people's faces when I tell them I've never worn falsies. What are my options here? I honestly wasn't SO impressed with YSL, I can't really figure out why everyone raves about it, it doesn't even come close to Iconic. Firebird and Supernova were just kind of "blah" for me, nothing fantastic but not terrible either. I'm over drugstore mascaras, I've found the ones that I like and I'm sticking to them, I mean, don't fix it if it ain't broke, right? Which begs the question: why am I so desperate for a new "oh my G-d" mascara? Send me a sign! Point me in the right direction! I need it!