nail color of the week: OPI Pompeii Purple

another OPI lacquer this week, and it's one of my favorites! Pompeii Purple is a bright pink with a bluish-purple iridescence to it. in certain light, you can see it.

this color always makes me feel cheerful, and it looks great on toes too! :)

xo
photo taken by me :)

Elemis Exotic Indulgence Set

with the holiday season ending, it's time to indulge in a little relaxation. and while i know it might not be as simple as taking a trip to your local massage therapist of esthetician for a facial, you can still lavish your mind, body and spirit with these indulgent skin and body care products from Elemis.

you can give yourself the time to soothe, soften and nourish yourself from head to toe with this range of products infused with exotic fragrances that are sure to make you feel like you're miles away...

this set includes:

Exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow to exfoliate and purify
Skin Nourishing Milk Bath to bathe and nourish the skin
Exotic Frangipani Monoi Moisture Melt is an intensive moisture treatment
Exotic Island Flower Body Balm to seal in the moisture benefits and delicately fragrance the skin

this sounds so good, doesn't it? find the Elemis Exotic Indulgence Set at beauty.com

xo

My Favorite Products of 2008

happy new year! how would you say 2008 was for you? good? better or worse than most? i would say, for me, it was a good year overall. i have learned a lot, and grown a lot. i hope 2009 will be even better!

this is my first-annual "favorites of 2008" post, and i have chosen the products i absolutely loved this year, but i have to say, it wasn't easy! but, i had to choose, so here they are...


my favorites of 2008 by beauty girl

favorite cleanser: Philosophy Purity Made Simple-- really i can't say enough about this cleanser except that it is really the best cleanser for removing all traces of dirt and makeup (including mascara)! i love everything from the smell to the texture and i even sometimes use it to clean my makeup brushes! honorable mention: Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

favorite eye cream: iQ Derma RestoreEyes Firming Eye Therapy-- this eye cream keeps my eyes looking bright, hydrates wonderfully, and i never have to worry about puffiness when i use it! honorable mention: L'Oreal Skin Genesis Eye Serum

favorite moisturizer: L'Oreal Skin Genesis Daily Moisturizer Oil Free Lotion-- to quote myself, "i love this stuff!" honorable mention: Bioelements Beyond Hydration

favorite acne treatment product: Bioelements Amino Mask-- this fabulous mask keeps my skin clear and works great as a spot treatment. honorable mention: iQ Derma Acne Treatment Lotion

favorite spf product: Lisa Hoffman Day Cream SPF 15-- non-greasy and keeps my skin looking healthy! honorable mention: Raw Minerals Active Veil

favorite oil-control product: Cosmedicine Medi-Matte-- controls oil, and contains an spf! honorable mention: MAC Oil Control Lotion

favorite foundation: Redpoint Transformative Dual Foundation- this full coverage foundation goes on smooth, blends easily and never feels heavy. honorable mention: Revlon Custom Creations Foundation

favorite new eyeshadow: L'Oreal HiP Metallic Eyeshadow Duos-- highly pigmented, long-lasting, beautiful colors for a beautiful eye look. honorable mention: Bobbi Brown Metallic Eyeshadows

favorite mascara: Maybelline XXL Extensions Mascara-- gives me long, lush, beautiful lashes that wears all day and removes easily at night. honorable mention: CoverGirl LashBlast mascara

favorite blush: Redpoint Airbrush Effects Blushwhip-- love the beautiful sheer color it gives. honorable mention: The Body Shop's Nature's Minerals Cheek Color

favorite lipgloss: L'Oreal Infalllible Never Fali Lipgloss--the best long-wearing lipgloss that doesn't dry lips out in the slightest. honorable mention: Clinique Superbalm Lipgloss

favorite lipstick: Bobbi Brown Metallic Lipstick in Pretty Pink-- i don't usually like lipstick, but this one is easy to love. honorable mention: NARS Lipstick in Beautiful Liar

favorite body wash: Caress Cream Oil Body Wash really surprised me with how soft and smooth it left my skin! honorable mention: Jan Marini Bioglycolic Resurfacing Body Scrub

favorite shampoo: Aveda Dry Remedy Shampoo-- the most moisturizing shampoo ever! honorable mention: none

favorite conditioner: L'Oreal Vive Pro Nutri Gloss Conditioner-- a product i didn't expect too much from, but found to be truly amazing! honorable mention: none

favorite hair treatment: Moroccanoil Masque for Hair leaves my hair silky and shiny! a definite must-have! honorable mention: Bumble & Bumble Creme de Coco

favorite styling aid: Bumble and bumble Spray de Mode-- a fabulous and unique hairspray! honorable mention: Product

favorite multitasker: Ojon Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Cleanser-- cleanses the skin on your face (removes makeup, too!) and body, as well as your hair with good-for-you ingredients. honorable mention: Global Goddess Beauty South Pacific Shimmer

favorite body lotion/cream: Bioelements Vitalization-- leaves skin feeling and smelling fabulous! honorable mention: Elizabeth Grant Vitamin C Body Lotion

favorite nail color: NARS Jungle Red-- my perfect red. honorable mention: OPI Baby It's "Coal" Outside

favorite fragrance: Miss Dior Cherie-- an amazingly girly scent that is fun and still sophisticated! honorable mention: John Varvatos for Women

favorite beauty/fashion book: Carmindy's Get Positively Beautiful-- i love the makeup tips and how-to's, but i think it's great that there's so much more to this book than that. honorable mention: Rescue Your Nails by Ji Baek and The One Hundred by Nina Garcia

what were some of your favorite products this year?

happy new year!

xo

Happy New Year!

here's to a fabulous year!

xo