currently loving...

it seems my days are going by so much faster these days. i wake up, and before i know it, the day is coming to an end and it's time to sleep! it's kind of nutty when i think about it, but i definitely many things to be thankful for-- my family, my friends, my health and the fact that you are here reading this! :)

sprinkled on top of my thankfulness are some delightful things i'm currently loving in this moment...


There's Cake in My Future by Kim Gruenenfelder....a fun chick-lit read {be warned, it is a bit rated-r, due to all the f-bombs dropped}, but the story is funny and engaging. i'm about 70% through it and can't wait to see how the story of three friends, their lives and hope for the future will end up!


fresh, roasted red peppers with my egg whites at breakfast {and sometimes lunch and dinner, too, lol!}...



this image of a small laundry room space is inspiring the redecoration of my own slightly larger laundry space...


NYX Natural Look Nude on Nude Kit is the perfect little gem for travel and everyday use. every shade is wearable, giving my eyes added day-friendly glam, but i also love that the neutral tones help to enhance the shade of a bright-colored eye liner!


philosophy Falling in Love...i picked this up on a Sephora run when they were out of favorite Unconditional Love {j'adore!}; i figured, "why not try it?"...and now, well... :)

Summer Beauty: Shine-Control Products

with summer comes skin that has a nice glow...

oh, who am i kidding? it's crazy shine! combination and oily (sometimes even dry) skin types can act, um, differently in the summer (i like to call them oil fits). i know i'm especially prone to glowing more-- can you relate? to control this, mattifying or shine-control products applied before applying tinted moisturizer, foundation or powder is critical for keeping your (and my) oily skin in check.

here are some to consider:




MAC Shine Control Lotion is a light, oil-free formula designed to keep skin in balance. it contains antioxidants to give skin a treat, and it absorbs beautifully into skin. for the rest of the day it keeps skin balanced, preventing oil production from going into overdrive.

Dermelect Cosmeceuticals Pore Revolution & T-Zone Mattifier (pictured at top) is a powdery cream that works to control shine, reduce the appearance of large, clogged pores, and also contains salicylic acid and watercress extract to keep skin clear.




Philosophy Never Let Them See You Shine Primer works best when patted onto skin. the soothing product helps control shine during the day and can even be applied over makeup.



Smashbox Anti-Shine offers skin to a cool, refreshing, water-based option. this gel-to-powder formula gives skin a natural, matte finish that lasts through a 6-8 hour day.



CoverFX Clearprep FX Matte Foundation Primer and Anti-Acne Treatment uses its dermaveil-matte technology to control shine and treats problem skin with willowbark extract (a beta-hydroxyacid), salicylic acid, and natural fruit alpha-hydroxy acids. smooths skin to prep for makeup, but can be used alone.



tell me: what is your favorite shine-control product?

xo

Beauty Girl TV: Three Cleansers I'm Loving Right Now

there are so many cleansers on the market, and i have many favorites! in this episode of Beauty Girl TV i'm sharing three cleansers for all skin types that i've been using the most lately. plus, watch to find out my secret to getting my skin truly clean...

enjoy!




products featured:

Philosophy Purity Made Simple*

Burt's Bees Radiance Facial Cleanser**

Sponge Gel Cleanser*** (available spring 2010)


tell me: what cleanser(s) are you loving right now?

xo
*purchased by me
**sample received in press kit from Tractenberg PR
***sample received from a Sponge Rep in The Plaza Hotel's "Beauty by Warren-Tricomi" Department in NYC

What Products Do You Find Overrated?

it's not a surprise that i use a lot of beauty products. i do it in order to bring you what i think is worth spending your hard-earned money on. but these are just my opinions, and you may even find yourself disagreeing with me from time to time. not everyone agrees on what products are amazing. in fact, there are a plethora of products that are surrounded in hype and have just as many people loving them as those who don't share the same sentiment.

i asked my fellow beauty-lovers via Twitter to answer this question for me: what product(s) do you find to be over-rated? see if you can spot the pattern...

@sugarshock: Creme de la Mer!

@ReneeRouleau I second Creme de la Mer! It's loaded with Mineral Oil...the cheapest quality oil on the market.

@fourniercomm I have to agree Creme de la mer

@BeautyBlogger Maybelline GreatLash Mascara. Have no idea why so many gals love it.

@WLCO Eve Lom Cleanser, Creme de la Mer, Strivectin

@BeautyITBag Did anyone already mention Hylexin?

@BeautyChick101 Definitely Creme de la Mer. I've never seen the amazingness behind it!



did you see it? yep, an overwhelming 5 out of 7 of these beauty-loving gals said Creme de la Mer! i admit, i actually like it, although i did prefer the gel over the original.

here are some other products i found while surfing the 'net that have been deemed "over-rated" by people who used them:

Bare Minerals
Philosophy Hope In a Jar
Benefit BadGal Mascara
Smashbox Lipgloss
Proactiv Skincare


out of the above products, i definitely think Proactiv is over-rated. it dried out my skin so much i literally started to get wrinkles around my eyes and forehead, and it did nothing to clear up my skin-- not good! in any case, tell me...

what product(s) do you find to be over-rated? tell me in the comments!

xo
image source

new philosophy products available now at sephora.com

philosophy has a major following (including me) of users. two of their best-selling products. Purity Made Simple and Hope In a Jar fly off the shelves like there is no tomorrow.

of course, sometimes, you think, this would be even better if (fill in the blank). in the case of Hope and Purity, two request were heard: add an SPF to Hope in a Jar, and give Purity Made Simple some foaming action.



founder Cristina Carlino heard the requests and was more than happy to bring these new versions to her customers. of Purity Made Simple she says,"it was very important to us that the foaming version be as gentle as the famous original," says Cristina. "this is foamy enough to satisfy the biggest fan of foaming cleansers, without using any of the traditional detergents found in 'foaming' formulas!"


and to the Hope in a Jar pleads: "clients have requested for an SPF-containing version of HIAJ for years," says Cristina. "we now -
finally! - have a formula that gently hydrates, smooths and retexturizes for that famous HIAJ healthy glow...but protects from the sun, too."




find these now at sephora.com. find them in stores june 15th.


xo


source: beauty and the blog

Philosophy: Pink Lemonade

i am a fan of Philosophy, and any time a new product surfaces, i am all over sharing it with you (and concocting a plan to get my hands on it).

pink lemonade makes me think of hot summer days, swimming and picnics in the park. this Pink Lemonade, is a 3-in-1 product (shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath) that is part sweet, part sour, and all parts fabulous.


i can't think of many people who don't love the smell of lemons, so this would be the perfect gift for anyone! (especially mom, for mother's day!)

this is one product in a line that also includes a body butter, a hot salt tub & shower scrub , moisturizing hand cream, and flavored lip shine.



so, when life hands you lemons, head to the shower, or bath, with Philosophy's Pink Lemonade .
xo

celebrate everyday

i am in love with philosophy products. evey product is effective, but just fun enough to make a girl look forward to her skin care routine. i also love the shower and bath gelee products that leave you (and your shower) smelling so yummy.

i'm so excited that philosophy has new gift sets that allow me to share products with friends and family as congratulations, just beacause or to say thank you.


Just Because: the best gift you can give is given for no specific occasion, for no reason, unprompted, and unexpected. this set includes:

Milk Chocolate (all-in-one) Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath (6 oz)
White Chocolate (all-in-one) Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath (6 oz)
Dark Chocolate (all-in-one) Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath (6 oz)






Thank You:"thank you" are two very powerful words on their own. if you are looking for the perfect thank you gift to accompany those kind words, give the gift of grace:
Amazing Grace Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath (8 oz)
Pure Grace Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath (8 oz)








Congratulations: this bubbly and a great way to say "congrats" to someone who deserves a pat on the back!:

Jumbo sized bubbly-inspired shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath

















check out more great philosophy products at philosophy.com.

xo

wow...

so, i wasn't planning on posting today, but i had to tell you that the philosophy line that i bought and have been using for the past 3 days is fabulous! just this morning my hubby actually commented on my skin. we were talking and as i turned to walk away, he stopped me and asked me to come back. then, he said that it looked as though "that stuff" i bought was working. he said he could "already see a difference." wow...i didn't even ask him. i wasn't even expecting anything so quickly, then looked for myself. he was right! my skin looked more vibrant, felt softer and the hyper-pigmentation that i have on my cheeks is fading. i'm excited to see what the next 3 days will bring...

xo

purity made simple...

so, i posted yesterday that i had purchased a make-up optional kit skin care from philosophy. i know i said i would let you know about my results, but i must tell you of one thing i knew after using the first product, purity made simple: i love it! it removed all of my make-up in one step --mascara and all-- and it left my skin looking refreshed and feeling incredibly soft. i was amazed.


how funny, i've heard about this product for years--i know that it is a favorite of many women, and it was just last night (and again this morning) that i used it...stay tuned...

today i purchased philosophy's make-up optional skin limited edition 6-piece kit. my skin hasn't been at it's best, and i have heard many great things about this line. i have some hyper pigmentation left from some breakouts, my skin is oily, and i'm lacking the "glow" in my skin. of course winter has a little to do with this--my skin is dehydrated, i'm not exfoliating like i should---i just need to do something different.

so, i am going to try this system and let you know about my experience. the micro-delivery peel promises..."resurfacing and replenishing the skin...a new approach to skin rejuvenation and best of all...involves absolutely no downtime.".

the system also includes purity made simple, when hope is not enough lifting and firming serum, hope in a jar for all skin types, hope in a tube eye and lip firming cream.
i'll keep you posted on my research. how beautiful!

xo