Ew!

So I was watching the Today show, and learned something about beauty product shelf life. I always knew about changing out mascara every couple of months, but the same is true for lipstick! The reporter said that you should throw out lipstick after about a year...uh, yeah I've got lipstick that I've had for over 4 years. Now, I don't burn through lipstick, so I'm not just going to dump my lipstick drawer. The way you can tell if it really is bad is to smell it. If it smells "rancid" (and I quote..ew) then toss it. I'm about to go sniff some lipsticks. :)

Dave Matthews Band

So. This is not about beauty products. Went to see Jason Mraz and Dave Matthews Band last night. As usual, it was phenomenal. Mraz played Beautiful Mess, and I almost cried. Dave opened with Bartender, played tons of old stuff, covered Burning Down the House by Talking Heads (amazing), and closed with Watchtower. Tim Reynolds was there. 'Nuff said. MJ and I took Mal. It was her first Dave show. MJ and I went to our first Dave show 10 years ago. Mal bought the fire dancer shirt that we bought 10 years ago. We're doing it again when we're 38. :) Anyway. Just had to blog about it because it was SO AWESOME.

Oh, and the poster? It's going to be the starting point for my new office in BR. I've been waiting for something to inspire me, and this is it.

Favorites

These three items are some of my current/longstanding favorite things:
Chocolate Lip Scrub by Sara Happ: My sister-in-law gave me this a couple birthday's or Christmases ago, and I still haven't run out! It exfoliates your lips with this chocolate sugar mix. You just put a little on, scrub, and wipe clean (it is edible, but I usually just remove it because there is some wax in it). I usually follow up with chapstick. I've seen it at smaller boutique's and spas. Point is, if you see it, snatch it up.
Benefit Erase Paste: This stuff is all that and a bag of skittles. I'm serious, you have a blemish? This stuff will cover it and keep it covered for HOURS. It's the only concealer I use. Ever.
Philosophy Hope in a Jar: Great light moisturizer with lactic acid and antioxidants. I've noticed my skin tone has been more even since I started using it. I only use it at night, but that's all you really need I think. I buy the travel size at Sephora, and it really lasts quite awhile! I can't use heavy moisturizers, so this is perfect!

So, that's the scoop for now! If you have a favorite product you think people should know about, let me know and I'll blog about it!

(as a side note, I'm up blogging at midnight about beauty products because I started a take home final at 8:30 pm and now can't turn my brain off...knew that was going to be a bad move! Oh well, got some new blogs up at least!)

A little fashion...

If you haven't gone to Target lately, GO. I went today, and had to leave to avoid spending too much! The bathing suits are adorable--I'm going back once I get my paycheck. I'm also addicted to maxi dresses, and had to walk away from that situation they had so many cute ones. So go go go!!

Now I think I'm going to get on my soapbox. This is directed to all those super young and fabulous college girls I see running around Vandy every day. I doubt they read my blog, but here goes.
Ladies. You are all skinny and fabulous and beautiful. However, you should know that leggings are not pants. You cannot wear leggings with a short t-shirt. If the top doesn't come close to covering your rear, it's not long enough. Wearing heels does not dress this outfit up either, so don't try that move. I don't care if such and such celebrity or model did it. YOU are not a celebrity or model. And guess what? They look silly too. Whew. So that's my rant for the day.

Boring but important...

Toothpaste. Yes, it's very boring. But I was thinking tonight about how much I like my particular brand...Arm and Hammer Advanced White. I know. I lead such a thrilling life. But really...you have to admit that someone can look great and then smile and their teeth don't look nice and the look is ruined.
So, my recommendation? Arm and Hammer. It REALLY leaves your breath fresh and does whiten your teeth well. A nice perk is that it's cheaper than Crest and Colgate as well.
I've got some more ideas for posts. Will get to those soon!

Nashville sighting...

Just saw Carrie Underwood at Rumba in Nashville. She's totally just as pretty (or prettier) in person as she is on TV. Fun!

OPI

One more for tonight.

While ordering pre-mentioned face scrub, I found the new OPI collection. I'm getting Mermaid-to-order. Think it's totally going to be cute on my toes!
http://www.sephora.com/browse/section.jhtml?categoryId=C20642

Same product...winners and losers

Ok. So twice I have bought nearly the same brand, but one was good one was a toss.

NEUTROGENA HEALTHY VOLUME MASCARA:
The regular kind? Great. It's made with olive oil. Made my lashes all long and fat and pretty. The waterproof? Total waste. After the first use, it was clumpy (I'm assuming this "waterproof" and "olive oil" mixture just isn't working out). So, back to the regular. And by the way...you're supposed to replace mascara every 3 months.

DRY SHAMPOO:
Ok, so have bangs, so dry shampoo is my best friend. But there is a difference. Ojon is not great (Rach, I agree...made my hair all stiff). Oscar Blandi however, is nice. Gets rid of the oils and has a nice lemon scent (and comes in travel size!). I would recommend the powder and NOT the spray though. The little nozzle gets clogged almost immediately. And after spending like $10 for a few ounces, you want to be able to use the whole product. A cheap version that works pretty well, but only has spray version, is Psssst! You can get it at Walgreens (typically the top or bottom shelf. Random fact I know but I have looked for that can EVERYWHERE before realizing it was up high).

That's the tips for the day folks!

Damn you Laura Mercier!

I would fall in love with one of the more expensive brands. Dang you Laura Mercier! (And dang you to one of my best friends for introducing me to this)

Ok, so I already use the oil free foundation and/or tinted oil free moisturizer (depending on the coverage I need for a particular day). So I got a free sample from Sephora (where else) the other day...the face polish. This stuff is FAB. I'm talkin magic exfoliator here, ladies. I shall be ordering soon.

Anyway, I'll let you know how it works over time.

So. I'm going to try the blog thing out for a little while. I love reading everyone else's blogs. My roomie just started her blog, so I thought I might have a little fun and copy her. I also obsessively love and purchase beauty products. Is it frivolous? Probably! We all have our vices. :) Sadly, I end up not liking some and discarding...so maybe I can help some of my friends NOT spend money on products that aren't that great!!

It's also highly likely that I will mention recipes, traveling, exercise, decorating my new home, organizing, life as a grad student, shopping (like regular shopping), life with my gaming/musician/engineering/water ski bum husband, my dog child, and my mean kitty. And science. Because I may love beauty products, but I'm a big huge nerd as you all know.

If you have some product that you love, let me know. I'll post about it!

Anyway, enjoy. And if I don't post much....well I apologize!