3 cleansing products i'm loving right now

have you been to the drugstore or your favorite mass retailer recently? if you're like me, i'm quite sure you have {LOL!}; i personally visit my local Walgreens, Target {and the like} multiple times a week, and of course with these visits come the stops to certain {cough, cough} departments that showcase a beauty girl's favorite things.

"i'm-just-going-to-look" is always what i say to myself, but …

hey, i'm only human!

in any case, the following items are very much a necessity in my beauty arsenal; they're all about cleansing {and we all know how important that is!}. 2 were purchased by me {yes, on a store visit that had no items regarding their function on my shopping list}; they are fabulous and keep me {and for one product, my beauty tools} fresh and clean.

take a look…

Rimmel London Gentle Eye Makeup Remover was a purchase made because i'm already a fan of their makeup and had never tried it, and also i was out of my fave Mary Kay eye makeup remover. it was the perfect opportunity for me to find out if Rimmel's remover was a drugstore version that would work just as well. like eye makeup removers from Clinique, Mary Kay and Lancome, i love that this beauty isn't oily, removes all eye makeup {yes, even waterproof!} and there's not a hint of sting when i use it.

keeping makeup brushes clean is important for many reasons and Sonia Kashuk Brush and Sponge Cleanser makes it super easy to do {saturate your brush bristles or sponge completely under running water, spray on cleanser, working up a lather ~ rinse under water until water runs clear. repeat as necessary; lay fat to dry}. from the first time i used it to now, i absolutely love it. it works on both synthetic and natural bristles, kills bacteria, breaks up oils and residue with ease {i use long-wearing products, so this was especially impressive}, and the scent, while strong at first, is surprisingly refreshing {i'm not sure of the exact scent, but lavender is definitely involved}.

finally, Dove Purely Pampering Nourishing Body Wash* creates the luxurious, uber-foamy lather that makes me feel so fancy and pampered. the scent is a long-time favorite {when i comes to sweet scents}: fabulous, warm pistachio. it's blended with magnolia, so it keeps the overall scent on the lighter side {so amazingly refreshing}. it comes in bar form as well, and as is the case with all Dove products, this body wash contains the brand's signature NutriumMoisture® ; my skin is always so soft and pampered after using this!


what special cleansing-type goodies are getting your love these days? do tell!

*product sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

beauty review: Maybelline Eye Studio Master Smoky shadow pencil + Master Drama eye liners

  
if you're anything like me, you j'adore wearing a smoky eye but don't always have the time to spend creating it. thankfully, a gorgeous, easy to use product exists to help create that perfect smoked out eye look with hardly any effort ~ if you can line your eyes and smudge that line, you can create it with Maybelline Eye Studio Master Smoky Longwearing Shadow-Pencils.

i bought two in shades Emerald Fury and Smoldering Violet ~ they are simply gorgeous! i love a smoky eye {in case i haven't expressd it enough…}, and these shadow-pencils make it so simple to do {i think i've also mentioned that, too, right?}. the creamy, highly-pigmented formula applies smoothly and the sponge smudger perfectly blends out the color...

the Master Smoky liners are available in a total of 6 shades, so you can create any look your mood desires. i definitely plan to, as it is famously said, "collect them all". :)

other eye-defining gems from Maybelline that i've been using are the Master Drama liner pencils. two specifically: Midnight Master {black} and Coal Commander {a deep charcoal}, both of which i can't get enough of. i always tightline the top of my eyelids with the black. not only to define and create a look of fuller lashes, but to disguise the inevitable inky marks left after applying my mascara du jour. the coal shade is a fabulous alternative to brown when i want to keep my eye look neutral or don't feel like wearing a colorful eye.

in any case, it's all about Maybelline on my eyes these days... for definition and drama at least.

for now…

because we beauty gals aren't always so faithful to one eyeliner, right??

tell me: what liners are you loving right now?

you cn find these at your local drug and mass retailer {i bought mine at, you guessed it, target.}. visit maybelline.com for more info!

products featured purchased by me; pics taken by me :)

beauty girl tv: RoC MAX Resurfacing Facial Cleanser

RoC is quickly becoming a favorite skincare brand. i was given the opportunity to try their MAX Resurfacing Cleanser courtesy of the brand. yes, i did get this for free, but all my thoughts about this beauty are my own…

watch my video to find out why ~ thanks for watching! :)

beauty review: e.l.f. studio Makeup Remover Exfoliating Cleansing Cloths

bonjour, loves!

as you know, it's important to remove your makeup at the end of each day. no matter what. but, as you may also know, sometimes you're really tired and are looking to make the process fast and easy. you may find getting to the sink to properly go through your cleansing routine a bit of a chore...

personally, i make makeup removal wipes part of my routine. among others, i have made the new e.l.f.  studio Makeup Removal Exfoliating Cleansing Cloths part of said {or in this case, written} routine.

since i wear long-wearing products, it takes more than one step to remove it all fully, so makeup remover wipes have become a most fabulous tool for doing this…

e.l.f Makeup Remover Exfoliating Cleansing Cloths have been making me so incredibly happy as of late that i can't stress enough that you need these in your life.

you need to get them now.

like now.

not only do these cleansing wipes remove makeup beautifully, but they keep skin looking vibrant and clear, thanks to the textured beads that are on one side of each cloth…

so, each cloth provides a gentle exfoliation which aids in skin's cell turnover. this is not a claim of the product, but a fact when it comes to skin care and how your skin looks. especially as skin ages, we all need exfoliation to get {and keep} a smoother and more even-toned look. the great thing about these is that you can use them daily and they won't irritate the way a more harsh, grainy cleanser might {which you still could use 1-2 times a week, depending on your skin type}.

so, big thumbs up from me with regard to e.l.f. studio Makeup Remover Exfoliating Cleansing Cloths! you can find them now on their website eyeslipsface.com.

i bought these; no affiliate links; pics taken by me :)

manicure must-have: Cutex SPA Formula Nail Polish Remover

 
 happy post-oscar day to you, beauties! have you recovered? if you live anywhere outside the pacific time zone and stayed up to watch, you are quite fabulous i have to say! i was happy when the broadcast was coming to an end before 9pm. 

i'm an early riser, so…

that's not what i'm here to talk about, of course, but my reason for mentioning it {besides the obvious} is the fact that there were some fabulous manicures being rocked on the tips of hollywood's movie stars last night. but just like us regular gals, they'll have to take it off at some point.

if i could recommend a remover to any of them, it would be the one i'm currently loving from Cutex:  SPA Formula Nail Polish Remover.

when it comes to nail polish remover, there was a time that i used 100% acetone exclusively. i loved it for its speedy removal and it was fabulous at dissolving even the glitteriest shades without issue. until i found myself using more and more cuticle oil to keep my poor tips from looking so wrecked. that stuff is harsh and was doing major damage ~ not pretty!!!

so, i made a choice and switched to a nourishing formula ~ what a difference! and while my cuticles and nails were happier, i was using less glitter polish. i couldn't help but think, "if only there were something that combined the strength of acetone, but without being so harsh…"

and {as if they heard me!} that's when the fabulous people representing Cutex contacted me to share the news regarding their newest innovation…

Cutex SPA Formula Nail Polish Remover.

combining the power of acetone {98.7%} with natural botanical nourishing oils {including apricot seed, flax seed and perilla oils}, users of gel, Shellac, glitter and other hard-to-remove nail polishes need this in their lives. Cutex SPA is amazing in that it works as well as 100% acetone, and yet still moisturizes and conditions nails after each use.

"we are thrilled to offer a new solution for women wanting a powerful nail polish remover formula that is both nourishing and strengthening and without the damaging effects of pure acetone remover,” said Barbara Hershfelt, director of sales and marketing for Cutex. "our 100-year heritage is founded on new and innovative products and SPA Formula is the perfect solution for nail enthusiasts who desire to keep their nails looking and feeling healthy, strong and beautiful."

how excited are you about this?!

i certainly am! my excitement {you get that i'm thrilled about this, right?!} is so hard to convey here in writing, but i love this stuff! it's incredible at removal and, just as it promises, nourishes nails, never leaving them or my cuticles feeling dried out; i no longer have to avoid wearing {and ultimately removing} a glittery polish manicure...

yay!

Cutex SPA Formula Nail Polish Remover is available in select stores nationwide; purchase online at cutexshop.com.

product featured sent to me for review consideration; opinions and thoughts are my own; pics taken by me :)

beauty girl tv: {review} CoverGirl Outlast 3-in-1 Stay Fabulous foundation

bonjour, beauties!

want to know what i think of CoverGirl's {somewhat} new Stay Fabulous foundation??

watch my review here!




thanks for watching…if you like it, please hit the thumbs up, and if you want to see additional videos, please subscribe!!

beauty review: EYES by ToGoSpa {formerly Eyedews}

EYES by ToGoSpa {formerly known as Eyedews} have been pampering my eyes for the past couple of weeks and what treat they are! these at-home, spa-inspired gel treatment pads work by stimulating circulation and production of new, youthful skin cells. 

the pads, once applied, are activated by the body's temperature and are packed with a fabulous combination of natural, high-density marine collagen, enzymes, amino acids, natural marine minerals, trace elements, proteins and vitamins. all of these ingredients have worked quite well together, and leave my eyes looking more awake and youthful ~ love! 

other benefits i've noticed: the skin around my eyes look more relaxed, calm and moisturized; they also de-puff, reduce irritation, and leave my skin well-hydrated, so the appearance of dryness surrounding my eyes has been reduced {keeping fine lines away!}...

you'll also be happy to know that EYES can be used anytime and anywhere. they're a bit slippery coming out of the package, but they stay put once they've been applied. 

what else can i say about these other than you should definitely give them a try! they come in 3 "flavors": Soothe {ice water}, Lift {green tea} and Firm {pomegranate; not pictured}…

visit togospa.com for more info! 

product featured sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

budget beauty: Olay Fresh Effects {S'Wipe Out!} Refreshing Makeup Removal Cloths

when you want to quickly take off your makeup {because it's late or you're seriously tired}, and know how bad it would be to sleep in it, i'd like to suggest you consider the Olay Fresh Effects {S'Wipe Out!} Refreshing Makeup Removal Cloths ~ they've been quite fabulous for me to use in the past few weeks... 

these special pre-moistened cloths help to lift away dirt and makeup and are effective even when it comes to removing tough-to-remove waterproof mascara; infused with Olay's signature moisture and vitamin E complex, i think these wipes do a good job removing most of my makeup. i say most because these don't leave my skin completely clean. i think this has to do with the fact that i typically wear a full face of makeup and my foundation is a long-wearing formula. so...there isn't really a cleansing cloth that is absolutely a one-step cleanser for me.

the way i like to use these wipes is as a "first cleanse" ~ removing my eye makeup and all other products that i've had on my face that day. one cloth aids in taking off  a lot of my makeup, but like i said, it doesn't take it all off. it does help in leaving my skin feeling soft and smooth, though ~ no dryness or tight feeling in the slightest. i love the smell, and of  course, the convenience of it is splendid.

compared to other wipes i currently use and have tried in the past {Neutrogena Makeup Removal Cleansing Towelettes are my favorite from the drugstore; i wrote about them here, way back when…maybe time for an update??!}, these rank very high on my list of makeup removers.

i recommend you try these Olay S'Wipe Out! makeup removal cloths for yourself! they can be found at your local drug and mass retail stores. visit olay.com for more info.

product featured sent to me for review consideration; i was not paid for this post and all opinions are my own; pic taken by me :)

beauty review: MAC Lightful w/Marine-Bright complex

~ it's a new year, so you may have resolved to start a new skincare routine. and even if that's not the case, we all want skin that's soft to touch and beautiful to look at. to make it reality, good skincare products are essential! to help you navigate through the plethora of products, i've been testing out many for the past few months and will be sharing my thoughts and opinions throughout the month of january. i hope you'll find it useful! ~

nourish, hydrate and brighten the skin with the exclusive asia-inspired formula that defies dull skin while fortifying against key environmental aggressors. enhanced with marine-bright formula, featuring three potent seaweeds harvested from the world's oceans and optimized with vitamin C. this unprecedented skin-brightening complex, made possible through our exclusive technology, improves clarity, evens pigmentation and creates perfectly luminous skin instantly and over time.

this is the description regarding the MAC Lightful range of skincare products; i'm here to say i'm beyond happy with what i have been using {3 of 4 products}: Softening Lotion, Essence and Moisture Creme {there is also a Cleanser, but i have yet to try it out for myself}. each of these beauties are formulated to give skin a healthy glow and feed skin beneficial ingredients to make your skin look its best.

like millions of people, i've always been a fan of MAC; i'm also especially fond of their skincare products, which i think are so underrated and don't get near the amount of hype they deserve {just saying…}. sure, i love my studio fix plus powder, lipglass, and don't even get me started over the assortment of amazing eyeshadows, but MAC's skincare is quite effective. needless to say, Lightful has my heart.

let's take a few moments to take a closer look at the products i've been using, shall we?

 Lightful Softening Lotion

this gorgeous, antioxidant-rich lotion {it's a liquid, though; think toner} is perfect for any skin type, containing a solid mix of antioxidants, repairing ingredients, and soothing agents {created to calm redness and reinforce a healthy barrier function for the skin}. i used this twice daily for three weeks when i began seeing results: smoother and more radiant skin.

Lightful Essence  

a vitamin C serum, highly infused with antioxidants and other fabulous ingredients helps to brighten skin and improve the look of discoloration and uneven skin tone.  the smooth-textured serum comes in a pump bottle and applies fabulously. i used this mainly at night, but did use it sometimes in the morning. overall, i would definitely recommend you try this out for yourself, if you haven't yet.

Lightful Moisture Creme 

my favorite! it's uber-lightweight but oh-so hydrating; the smooth texture absorbs quickly and is simply fabulous. i don't know how it was done, but this moisturizer is packed with antioxidants, and beneficial plant extracts. my only gripe: it needs to be in a pump rather than a jar. 

the MAC Lightful collection is certainly worth a look {oh, and did i mention the sparkly packaging?! so pretty…} if you're considering changing to all new skincare; of course, if you're just looking for one or two things to add to your current routine, i think you'll find them beneficial as well!

visit maccosmetics.com for more info.

products featured sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

holiday musings...

happy holidays to you and yours, beauties! hope you're enjoying a pleasant day and not stressing out too much over all the last minute stuff you may be doing before christmas.

today is the first day of the 3 week winter break for my kids, so i'm loving the excitement that's buzzing all around ~ they're absolutely giddy over getting presents soon…

those will come soon enough…

i personally find the days leading up to christmas to be a bit strange. on one hand, i can't wait! there's nothing better than watching my not-babies-anymore babies speculate as to what their gift{s} could be, as paper is ripped, and then seeing the bright eyed cheer that covers their faces once it's discovered that something they had been wishing for is finally theirs, is priceless. 

on the other hand, once the day is over, that's it.

no more anticipation from them. no more teasing from my love {their dad} over giving them gifts they certainly don't want {like historical documentaries on dvd, LOL}; no more wondering if i remembered everything and everyone i wanted to get gifts for…

i know i'm not the only one with these feelings, but it always seems to be the case. every year. 

oh well, it is what is is and i choose to embrace the experience. :)

oh, and there's another big event that happens this time of year...my birthday!!

 it's on the 30th, just five days after christmas.

funny thing is that since i can remember, i've always had a bit of a nervous feeling about it. i think it started right before turning 10 that i can recall the feelings i experienced the days leading up to it: the fluttering of butterflies in my stomach growing strong each day.pair that along with questions like what will this next age be like? what will change? will it be better? will i feel different, look different, act different, sound different?? 

how silly is that?

i mean seriously, what kid thinks like that? oh well...

since i'm going to be 34, and every year is always different, i'm going to do what i've been doing {and have been practicing with much more mindfulness especially over these last 2 or 3 years} for this season:

take each day as it comes {bonjour, new day!}. 

be thankful for what i have {a loving husband who is also my best friend; beautiful, healthy kids; a warm home, a bed to sleep in and food to eat}. 

cherish even the smallest, most mundane things {yes, even housework}. 

in any case, i'm hoping your holiday will be fabulous! while this is a sentimental and stressful time of year, it's my wish for you to enjoy it. celebrate! have fun! i'm truly thankful for another crazy year. no doubt it's taught you many things. i know i've learned a lot! 

so, again, happy holidays to you!
and thanks for letting me ramble...

 :)

picture taken and created by me :)

beauty girl tv: L'Occitane Immortelle Cream Mask {review}

the Immortelle flower defies aging ~ it never wilts or withers, even after being picked. the concentrated action of the Immortelle mask delivers the anti-aging benefits of remarkable Immortelle essential oil. a superb face treatment infused with shea butter to nourish and protect…

when dry air depletes skin of moisture, it's a beauty girl's mission to treat the issue before it gets out of control. dehydrated skin shows signs of fine line and wrinkles, may be flaky or look uneven and rough…

though i still have skin that leans more oily, it has in recent years become less so. i do experience the tight feeling in my face from time to time, rough texture and have observed lines only associated with skin in need of serious moisturization.

i'm barely in my mid thirties, so it's definitely something i can still fight against!

other moisturizers i've used in the past have helped {there are plenty of fabulous products out there, as we all know}, but i'm quite thankful to have been given the opportunity to test out Immortelle Cream Mask from L'Occitane.

it's luxuriously rich, yet still light-feeling and it has made such aa fabulous difference in the way my skin looks and feels in this dry, cold season.

watch my video review and, if you like it, please be sure to click the thumb up! and of course, i'd really  love it if you'd subscribe to my channel!




visit the L'Occitane website for more info.

product courtesy of L'Occitane; this is my honest review; pics taken by me :)

beauty review: Kinara Weightless Infusion

 combining cutting-edge peptides, powerful antioxidants and lightening agents to create a lightweight primer, Kinara Weightless Infusion has become a favorite in my skincare routine. while i've been testing other products, i've found this serum to also be a perfectly lovely compliment.

benefits:
~ firms skin by building collagen and elastin
~ preserves the skin from oxidative stresses
~improves DNA protection
~ protects against glycation damage
~fast-acting line reducer
~ brightens and lightens skin tone to discoloration
~ ultimate anti-aging product
~ quickly revives and refreshes stressed and environmentally compromised skin
~excellent primer to any other skin preparation

in my personal experience, this clear, silky formula absorbs into my skin quickly, getting straight to its {hydrating} job. after using for the past several months, i'm happy that Weightless has left my skin all glowy and pretty. it looks more healthy, well-hydrated, smooth and rested.

perfect for all skin types, Kinara Weightless Infusion can be found at Kinara Skin Clinic and Spa, independent spas and retailers nationwide, and online at kinaraspa.com.

product featured sent to me for review consideration; pic taken by me :)

monday musings...

 {pic of the morning sky while out on my walk}

life is packed with everything from daily to-do lists, errands and work; taking care of kids and friendships; making time for hobbies, driving from place to place, doing this and that for these people and that..

etcetera, etcetera....

and you know it all has to be shared  documented via twitter, facebook or instagram...

:)

for the past several months, i've been taking time daily to meditate. to literally sit and do nothing but breathe. it's especially fabulous after my morning yoga practices, but really works any time of day. not only have i grown to relish the relatively short time {10-15 minutes} in silence, but it has reinforced my belief that simplicity and just doing nothing every day is so healthy.

which got me thinking...

when was the last time you were bored?

did you know boredom or doing nothing is a great way to stimulate creativity?

i think i've mentioned this in a previous post, but i personally unplug on sundays. no tweeting, sharing or liking. and during the week, i purposely take online time outs.

dream ~ a friendly reminder while waiting for my tea to steep...

since we live in such a fast-moving world, we can now watch news in real time, find out which beauty products/fragrance/clothing collections will be released months ahead of time, and are able to connect with everyone including, but not limited to, our favorite trend-setters, experts and creators of our most-adored hobbies, shows/movies/music and geeky things we enjoy.

all via the web.

don't get me wrong, i'm an active online participant! i love being able to tweet @ those i admire,   commenting, asking questions and thanking them for what they do; i get my news online; i seek out new recipes, style inspiration, beauty how-tos and book recommendations {if you follow me on twitter, you know that these days many of my daily workout classes come from online sources}. this is all good, but like everything, can become information overload. so, i relish the benefits of daily setting an intention to just sit and be. and once a week i turn it off so i can fully engage in the real life happening around me.

 it's fabulous and i can appreciate it even more.

basically i'm saying that it's ok to just be bored; it may be awkward at first, but try it! sit, do nothing. look out at what's going on around you...breathe. let your own thoughts come to the surface... 

that's it. just a random rant...thanks for listening reading...i now return you back to your regular online  schedule. :)

beauty girl at home: glam touches

 
home is where your heart is, as they say, but shouldn't it also reflect your personal style?

for me, i love adding bit of glamour to my day. it can range from simply wearing oversized, sparkly earrings with a basic denim and sweater ensemble to going full glam from head to toe. it's fun to experiment, even if i'm only going to the grocery store, because it's not only a fab way to put my best self out into the world, but it makes running errands so much more enjoyable!

when it comes to my home, i choose to do the same, but within reason. while my wonderful husband does love my girly girl-ness, it's his space, too, so i try keep him in mind when it comes to decorating.

to do this, i've accessorize with books, pretty touches of metal {lamps, candle sticks, picture frames}, pretty pillows {my fave is a gold sequined one i found at TJ Maxx that sits on our bed}, flowers and candles. i also make sure to use lighter textures and silhouettes to balance out heavy furniture and dark wood pieces.



many sites around the web offer inspiration, and it's fun to periodically gather inspiration...

how do you add glam to your home?

top 3 images my own; other images: elledecor.com, designsponge.com, dwellingsbydevore.com, pinterest.com, luellajune.com, theglitterguide.com

2013 intentions...

did you make resolutions or plan goals for the new year?

when it comes to resolutions,  i believe they should be easy. i know from experience that baby steps are the best way to develop new habits and maintain them. i also believe it's a good idea to improve on whatever it is you're already doing {see last year's goals} or have an interest in...

for example, i'm already a daily exerciser {on twitter i share what workouts i've done for the day} and clean eater {since i have to be gluten and dairy-free, it's a good thing i love veggies, fruit and lean meats!}, but i plan to {continue to} seek out and add new types of workouts and recipes to my lifestyle. thankfully, my library has a fabulous selection of workout dvds {i'd go broke if i bought them all, LOL!} and i belong to a gym that frequently offers new classes; also, i already enjoy cooking, and the food i eat is essential to keeping myself and my family healthy, so trying new dishes is always fun!

other goals for my 2013:

read 12 of the books on my Goodreads to-read shelf.
i do read regularly, but i seem to get sidetracked when it comes to reading those books i've purposely added to that designated {virtual} shelf over the years. 12 is a small but attainable goal, so if i discover new books along the way, i can read them as well. or add them to my to-read shelf... ;)

spend more time with friends and family

it's so easy to let the busyness of life get in the way, but time is precious and should be enjoyed with those who mean the most to me.

sleep more
last year i did this by adding a nap to my day {such a good thing!}, but have fallen off the wagon recently. sleep is so important to all areas of health for everyone. because of my own personal health issues, it's even more essential to staying well.

keep learning
have you heard of Khan Academy or Coursera.org? they are fabulous teaching websites i've already  been learning with over the past few months. this year i'll continue to feed my brain with classes ranging in subjects from algebra to sociology and mental health to history of film.


there are a few other pursuits and goals i have for the year that i won't share...just yet. i will say they're quite exciting {and a bit out-of-my-comfort-zone-scary}, but i will when the time is right!

here's to a fabulous year!