Friday, May 28, 2010

Where have I been?

Rarely do I find a product that makes me wonder how the F I've been livin my life. The Droid was one of them. Beauty-wise it was the Clinique three step system I discovered after college. This new discovery is much more simple. I don't know why I've never thought to try these. Dr. Scholl's gel inserts. REALLY SIMPLE, right?

So I spent 4 years after college running around work in heels with zero inserts and zero support. And it hurt, but my feet just got used to it. Since returning to grad school, my work shoes have turned into flip flops in the summer and the same two pair of boots in the winter. I NEVER wear heels. And then I realized I could barely make it an hour with my girlfriends out for dinner with them on, and I have some REALLY cute heels that were sitting all sad and forlorn in my closet. Not acceptable. So I saw these while in Walgreens (they are $9 for a pack) and tried them out.

Seriously y'all. Where.have.I.BEEN?? These things are awesome. My feet don't hurt; they don't slide around in the heels; I can last longer than an hour without wanting to saw my leg off.

My bangin yellow heels with the flower thank me. And will be happily making an appearance at girl's night out tonight (SATC 2, naturally). But for real. Try these things out. They have a bunch of different styles. It's SO WORTH the $9. I'm going to probably buy a pair for every pair of heels I own eventually.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Consumer Report's top sunscreen on the Today show

Morning! You all probably remember my recent post all about sunscreen. Well this morning on the Today show they had Consumer Reports on to discuss their top brands. The winner? Target's Up and Up Continuous Sport Spray! I just checked the Target website, and a twin pack is $9.44! That's a really great price. On the segment, the Consumer reports rep said it provided great coverage and protection with the best price point. I will definitely have to check this out. I shop at Target all.the.time...so it's an easy grab.

Walgreens brand took second place, and Banana boat took third. BananaBoat is one of my personal favs, we have about 10 spray cans in the house right now. The link to the full article from the Today show is HERE.


Photo courtesy of Target.com

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Allure Summer Beauty Box

Hey everyone! So Allure is doing a summer beauty box at their virtual store. I read about it HERE on their blog.

I just ordered mine. It contains 11 full-size bottles of products I already use, such as Aveeno SPF 70 sunblock, Colgate whitening toothpaste, Stila lip glosses (EIGHT of them), Neutrogena sheer SPF 70, and a few other products I'm excited to try, like the Biolage hair oil and Biore moisturizer!

It's $39.99 and comes with a small tote. The sunblocks and moisturizers alone at Rite Aid would be at least $10 a pop. The lipgloss set is $25. I like that they are all full size bottles too!

The only bummer...it says 4-6 weeks for delivery AFTER you order it. But, summer is just beginning so I know I will still use the sunscreen up before the end of August. Hopefully it will arrive much sooner than that.

Go to the ALLURE VIRTUAL STORE to find yours! I would purchase soon if you want one, I think there is a limited amount.




Monday, May 17, 2010

My sister has some awesome hair.

So my sister has some pretty awesome hair. It's very long, naturally pretty auburn, and lately I've become obsessed with it. So I thought I would ask her how she styles it and keeps it looking so damn healthy and shiny, because I plan on trying to grow mine out as well. Please reference exhibit A and B below. Sorry for the pic quality! I tried not to make them too fuzzy.

Here's her rundown. I've put the big stuff in bold:
"sooo my hair...really i've just almost completely quit drying it...i dry it maybe once or twice a week. I think it has a lot to do with the cut, i just told her I wanted layers, so my hair had movement and that I wanted my bangs short to swoop across my forehead...when i do dry it i try not to straighten it too much and the pic i just have it bobby pins criss crossed like middle back on one side.
when its wavy...yours is probably easier because yours is more naturally wavy than mine. but i just get outta the shower and spray a little bit of this
"beach wavy" spray i have...i can't remember what brand it is but it's blue. then i twist both sides, just a big chunk and twirl it and then pull it all together and twist it and clip it like a bun in the back....a clip does better than a ponytail bun because with a ponytail it just crimps. but anyway, i'll go to work or school with it like that and let it dry out all day and then take it out when it feels dry and l just go pretty much, sometimes i have to fix a few pieces with my straightener but that's all. anyway i know this has gone on wayyy to long about hair. haha."

So based on this, here's where I am already in the healthy-hair bad zone: I've been coloring mine on a frequent basis since 10th grade (12 years now). I have tried to back off drying it, but I still have to a good bit, AND I straighten it. I'm sure all that heat doesn't help the already weak hair. So, I'm going to try her tips and see how it goes. I'll keep you posted! I'm not sure if any of you have similar hair, but if you do, maybe these tips will help you. Do any of you have great hair or know someone who does? I'm sure you do! Share your secrets in the comments. Plus, I just wanted give a nod to my cute baby sis. :)

Enjoy!

Maybe 50 IS the new 30. Which makes 30 the new what?

Whoa. Read this blog post from Allure. I thought the Golden Girls were 70 or something. Nope.

Sex and the City's Golden Years from Allure

Veerrrry interesting.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Review: Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure


Hi gals. So I've been to Sephora AND Rite Aid today, so hopefully over the next few weeks I will have a bunch of reviews. I've been a bit of a slacker lately, I know, but this girl is trying her damnedest to stay on a beauty budget. It was tough in Sephora today, but I do have a few finds and a list of things to try soon! Anywhos.

In keeping with my budget, I tried Sally Hansen Total Manicure today. $10.99 at Rite Aid. It is supposed to be every coat of a normal manicure in one bottle, and I think it lives up to its name! I tried "I Pink I Can", shown in the picture. In two coats, I got shiny, even coverage. It has a good application brush that covers almost the whole nail in one swipe, which is very good for getting a smooth coat.

I've got it on my toes and nails, so we'll see how long it lasts! So far, I'm very pleased. Two coats got me exactly what I normally get with four (base, two color, top). I mean, it's not OPI, but it is very good for Rite Aid. I would say it's better than Revlon, which is my other drugstore go-to brand.

I think this is also great for vacation/traveling. You can touch-up easily with just one bottle. Also, I have eighty-bajillion pregnant friends right now...just think gals, your husband may not be all about pampering you a pedicure with 4 complicated coats...but two? Even a dude can do that. :)

They have lots of cute colors, brights and neutrals...and I saw a NEON YELLOW that LG aka Keisha would LOVE. Neon!! I'll be interested to see what the fall colors are, but the summer ones are very fun! :)

Enjoy ladies!!

Update: Day 2 of manicure with two coats. I have shopped, cleaned, cooked, used a drill, used a hammer, went to the gym, worked on my computer all day (read:lots of typing) AND did laundry. Manicure status? One tiny chip in my thumb, and that was my fault for trying to pry something open. I fixed that this morning, and it looks good as new. Great product!

Friday, May 14, 2010

Pacifica products on sale at Sephora!


Pacifica is having a sale at Sephora. Buy two full size body washes or lotions for only $25! Normally this would be $40. I LOVE LOVE their Tuscan Blood Orange scent, so I will definitely purchase this. I think the Lemon Blossom will be my second choice. Nice and light for summer!

No special code needed, runs through June 23. Click HERE.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Another steal at Sephora

Dang, this is a pretty sweet little deal. 12 Clinique lipglosses in travel size for $25 with a free clutch (FLORALBAG at checkout). For comparison, a full size tube of Clinique Long Last Glosswear (similar to this) is $14 per tube. I like the colors, I may have to purchase this along with the sunscreen kit!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

It's Here!

The sunscreen kit I spoke about last post has arrived! SUNKIT AT SEPHORA for only $25. This year it comes with a Sephora makeup bag, which is fun. I still use my little tote I got last year, so I'm sure this one will be sturdy as well. I'm very interested to test out the UV bracelets. I've never heard of a monitor like that! Here's the list from Sephora.com:

This set contains:
- 0.10 oz Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 in Lemon and Chamomile
- 0.25 oz Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Defense Lotion SPF 30 (Tried this last year, liked it)
- 0.16 oz Kate Somerville Protect SPF 55 Serum Sunscreen
- 0.27 oz Clarins Delectable Self Tanning Mousse SPF 15
- 0.16 oz Cover FX BritePrep FX Brightening Foundation Primer & Photo-Aging Defense SPF 50
- 0.34 oz Bliss Best of Skintentions Daily Moisturizer SPF 15
- 0.23 oz Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 60 PA+++ (LOOOVVEE THIS)
- 0.25 oz Ole Henriksen Herbal Day Cream SPF 15
- 0.25 oz Smashbox Photo Finish UVA/UVB SPF 15 (Good stuff!!)
- 0.02 oz Bare Escentuals BareMinerals Multi-tasking Face SPF 20 in Summer Bisque
- Pink Sephora makeup bag
- 2 x single-use UVSunSense UV monitoring bracelets

On a side note...for all of you that read my blog and live in Nash, I feel for you. I'm so sad to see my part-time home in such turmoil from the flood. There are many ways for others to help. Here is a list provided by Nashvillest: Nashville is Flooded, How Can I Help? I hate I'm not there to help, but hopefully some people will read this and help. Again, for my friends there, I'm thinking of y'all!