Things to Check Out

Clariol Natural Instincts Hair Color Contest is a national search for Clairol’s next how-to video star!

How to enter: Upload two photos to the contest page on Clairol.com – one before using Natural Instincts and the other after. Then, briefly share how you feel about your makeover (500 characters or less). The woman who receives the most online votes will be flown to New York City with a friend to star in a Natural Instincts how-to video with celebrity colorist, Marie Robinson. The winner will also receive a total makeover and $1,000 spending money.



This year Kiehl's is starting a new annual event, Kiehl’s LifeRide for amfAR, a six-day motorcycle ride from San Diego to the San Francisco Bay Area, Aug. 2 through Aug. 7, to raise funds and awareness for amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research.

In support of the event, Limited Edition Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 will be available in Kiehl’s free-standing stores throughout California, the New York Flagship store and Kiehls.com, beginning Aug. 1. 100% of Kiehl’s net profits from the sale of this product, up to $25,000, to benefit amfAR. Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 is my favorite Kiehl's product, and my favorite daily moisturizer. Which you've likely noticed. Because I mention it at least once a week. This is the perfect time to try it out!

Kiehl’s LifeRide for amfAR will stop at Kiehl’s stores along the way, for events with celebrity hosts, and at each, Kiehl’s will present donations to amfAR, for a total donation of $60,000. Kiehl’s is delighted to offer all customers shopping in those stores a Presidential Discount of 15% off their purchases for the entire day of the event.

August 2nd
12pm – 2pm: San Diego – Fashion Valley, 7007 Friars Rd., San Diego, 619-294-4732

August 3rd:
11:30am – 12:30pm: Los Angeles - 100 N. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, 310-860-0028
1pm – 3pm: Santa Monica – 1516 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, 310-255-0055

August 4th:
3pm - 5pm: Topanga (New Store Opening) - Westfield Topanga, 6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park, CA

August 6th:
12pm – 2pm: Palo Alto – 365 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, 650-617-4599

August 7th:
10:00am – 11:00am: San Francisco Centre – 865 Market St., San Francisco, 415-644-0112
12:00pm – 1:00pm: Berkeley – 1848 Fourth St., Berkeley, 510-548-0130

Microdermabrasion at Home: Really!

With noninvasive procedures becoming more and more popular, it is only understandable that there is growing interest in at home options for these procedures. From laser hair removal to home microdermabrasion, the options are expanding.

This little handheld device (it's the size of a small flashlight) is a home microdermabrasion device, and I've been testing it out. Exfoliation is one of the key steps in a great anti-aging regimen, and for those of you keeping track I have now found a grand total of 4 facial scrubs that I like. While scrubs are great, if you want bigger results than just smoother skin you might want to look into microdermabrasion. Usually offered in dermatologists offices, this uses the same aluminum oxide crystals found in their machines. Rather than shooting the crystals at your face, the machine uses little discs embedded with the crystals and uses them to exfoliate your face. Simply turn on the device and slowly move the disc around your face. Make sure you keep moving, staying in one place for too long will over exfoliate that location, basically scratching up your face.

I used this machine a few times over about a 2 week period and the result was definitely smoother skin and fewer clogged pores, they were definitely looking smaller after 2 weeks. I didn't have any issues with abrasions on my face, but I admit that I was pretty scared of moving the disc around too slowly. My results were great and I recommend trying this out if you're looking for stronger exfoliation.

Personal Microdermabrasion System from SkinCareRX

Marilyn's Secret to Perfectly Matte Skin? Erno Laszlo's Shake It

Is it an oil absorbing mattifier or a light coverage foundation? Even better, is it truly one of Marilyn Monroe's favorite beauty products? Rumor has it that bottles of Erno's products were found in the room when she died, and you can see it in multiple images of her dressing table.

Weekend Links and Reads

Amalah over at Alphamom has created the best post ever about how to use dry shampoo and I admit that it's making me want to actually try the stuff out!

Not at all beauty related, but Funny or Die dressed Jewel up as a business woman and then made her go sing Karaoke to see what happened. The video isn't necessarily funny, but I really loved watching the crowd rooting for her and seeing how many people she had fooled!

Crest and Oral-B 3D White are sponsoring the 2010 "Breakthrough of the Year Awards" and they are offering ONE lucky grand prize winner 2 round trip tickets to Los Angeles, CA to attend the awards on August 15, 2010. Enter Here

Aveeno is holding a Radiant Role Model Contest! Head over to Aveeno's Facebook Page for more details on entering. The winner's role model will get a five day spa getaway for two at The Fairmont Kea Lani Resort on Maui!

Aveeno (yes again!) is holding a great event on Tuesday, July 27th. Join them at Kaight, 83 Orchard Street in NYC from 5-7:30 PM for a mid-summer hair style refresh! You'll be able to meet with eco-friendly celeb stylish Patrick Meliville, get a style touch up with Aveeno hair products, and there will be 15% off if you make a purchase! RSVP to SustainableStyle@hfmus.com

NYC Smile Design is holding a cosmetic dental makeover contest, Extreme Bridal Makeover! The winner bride (or groom) to be will get a smile makeover worth up to $30,000! That's huge! You'll need to become their fan on Facebook, where you'll also find details about entering.

Fellow Wolverine Nicole over at The Beauty Girl created a video showing how easy it is to use the Goody Spin Pin. I want it! Now I just need to actually find it in a store...

Humidity Proof Hair, It Does Exist: Avon's Lotus Shield

Inside of that little orange bottle is a serum that should be on every woman's shopping list. Truly. I'm sure you've seen the ads for it, and thought "yeah, sure Avon can fight frizz that well."

Well, guess what? That ad is no exaggeration. I'm not the only one in love with this product (check out what my friend Diva Debi had to say about it, I'm still laughing, but again, she's not lying).

Inside that little bottle is a milky white serum that you apply to wet hair (I use about a nickel amount, then comb through with a wide tooth comb), and then style hair as usual. I've used this product when blow drying my hair straight as well as on days that I've let my wavy hair just be wavy. I've used it with blow drying and air drying.

Perhaps most importantly, I've been using it throughout most of this horrible heat wave that has hit the country. Here in my neck of the woods, it has been accompanied by 60-70% humidity most days (at least according to the little weather station we have in a tree in the back yard). Which means I've been exposing my hair to humidity that should be turning me into Monica in Barbados. Instead my hair is smooth and shiny, not an area of frizz in site!

Lotus Shield promises to keep your hair frizz free for up to 3 days in up to 97% humidity. I really think it works. There are other anti-frizz products on the market that also work (in the past I've been a big fan of Living Proof). I do think that the Avon product works better than the combination of products I need from Living Proof. It is also cheaper and you can still use all of your "regular" hair products. Just add in Lotus Shield if you think there will be a humidity problem that day.

Avon Advance Techniques Frizz Control Lotus Shield

Estée Lauder Pure Color Gloss: Gloss that Layers Color

I'm not sure why it took me a few weeks to post about this, especially considering how I am carting this gloss with me everywhere, but for some odd reason it did. Despite the fact that this product is no longer "brand new" to the shelves, you likely haven't encountered it yet, but you should. In the past I've collected and yearned for MAC's Lip Glasses. For now on, I think I'm a EL Pure Color Lip Gloss Girl! Why the turn around? Truthfully, lately I've wanted a bit more color in my gloss. I know that MAC does have some lip glosses with color, but in my experience, they haven't done subtle color well. They end up looking a tad flat, or there's just too much shimmer for a girl to be taken seriously.

These new glosses from Estée are different. They do have subtle color (though some of the darker shades are less subtle and more pigmented), but what I really love about them is that you can actually build the color! Rather than just glomming on more gloss, each layer will finally build up the color, and you can truly layer colors for different effects much more easily with these glosses.

I'm on Outblush!

I got a great surprise last night!

One of my favorite websites, Outblush, asked me to write a guest post! I was able to pick any product that I've loved recently, so I picked Revolution Organics All-Over Skin Créme. I've been carrying this lotion in my purse and it's frequently found in my white coat pocket at work.

Head over to Outblush to see what else I said!

Revolution Organics All-Over Skin Créme on Outblush

Midweek Things to Check Out

Marcel, the famous canine spokesperson for NARS is holding an on-line party on Thursday! He'll answer questions about makeup and skin care (Marcel seems to know a lot about skin care). To participate:
Via Twitter at 1 pm: You'll need to be a follower of @NARSissist, be sure to include the special hashtag “#MarcelNars” to ensure Marcel gets your question!
On Facebook at 2 pm: Fans of NARS on Facebook can submit questions as well!


Believe it or not, but Lancome's Juicy Tubes are 10 years old! To help celebrate Teen Vogue Beauty Director Eva Chen concocted a vibrant raspberry shade that’s one of Lancôme’s most pigmented Juicy Tubes yet. The limited edition shade is called So Teen Vogue and I'm already in love! Look how pretty it is on Lancome Video Makeup Artist Michelle Phan!

While it's limited edition (and I bet it will sell out quickly), you can get your hands on a tube! Here's how:
1. Visit the Juicy Tubes page on lancome.com
2. Pick out any Juicy Tubes for purchase.
3. Enter the code TEENVOGUE at checkout.
4. Voilá! Juicy Tubes in So Teen Vogue is now in your cart.

Beach Plum and Tickled Pink are two of my fave shades if you're having problems picking! This might also be a great time to pick up their new Definicils Precious Cells Mascara, which I admit that I've been wanting.


Youngblood Cosmetics is celebrating their launch at The Plaza Beauty with a 3 day event. Attendees will have the chance to meet an expert makeup artist behind the brand as well as have a makeup artist do a makeover. I haven't tried this brand, but I've heard the products are amazing!

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010 – Saturday, July 24th, 2010
The Plaza Beauty
One West 58th Street, Concourse Level
NY, NY 10019
212.223.4694

photo: Derek Kettela/Vogue
Serena Williams is in the August Vogue in a pretty amusing article. Apparently she is studying to become a nail tech (I had no idea! Though, with my nail polish obsession I can understand the allure), and she gives the article's author a mani. Overall she just sounds like a super fun girl to hang out with and I wish I was there! Serena Williams in Vogue



Estée Lauder is holding an event on Thursday night, A Night to Repair. You will want to make a trip to your local Estée counter! From 5:00pm – 9:00pm (all local times) – Estée Lauder Beauty Advisors will be distributing a total of 360,000 deluxe samples. Customers can choose either a 10-day supply of NEW Advanced Night Repair Eye Synchronized Complex or Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex one sample per customer while supplies last.


Ricky's NYC and Sally Hershberger (yes, she of Meg Ryan's Shag) are teaming up for a fun event tomorrow! Between 12-4 PM they'll be doing free blowouts featuring the Sally Hershberger Professional products (which I know I've mentioned on here before, love them, perfect for any length of layered hair!). The first 200 participants will get a free Shagg Mini Spray as well, and if you buy a Sally product you get a 2nd for free! (Hint- Shagg Spray and the shampoo/conditioner for all hair types are my faves!) Location: Ricky's NYC Revolver SoHo location, 590 Broadway


DuWop is holding a sale of all their "vintage" items on their website! Items are 50% off. Check out the blush therapy and eye shadows. Hurry, it only lasts until the 27th!

A Volumizing, Super Hydrating Hair Mask: Ojon's Volumizing 2 Minute Hair Mask

Just the other day readers on this very blog were complaining about not being able to use a hair treatment on their entire hair shaft. Apply most hair masks or conditioning treatments near your roots, and you will be sorry. Likely for days on end. Why? Your hair will be limp and volume nearly impossible to achieve.

Well, those of you that want to hydrate all of your hair, including near your roots, need look no further. This is also great for those with fine or thin hair that in the past have not been able to tolerate deep treatments at all. Ojon has been looking out for you, and they have created a 2 Minute Volumizing Hair Mask. Truly.

Purpose Dual Treatment Moisture Lotion with SPF 15: A Good, Basic Everyday Go To Product

If you have been paying attention, you've probably noticed that I very frequently state that I think everyone needs to have a morning moisturizer with at least SPF 15. If you can get a product with broad spectrum UV coverage or an even higher SPF then I commend you. I just think we should all wear it every day, and it is harder to skip a day if it is already integrated into a product you would not skip.

If you've been paying even more attention, you know that I am a very devoted fan of Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15. Which yes, is only SPF 15. And yes, is not quite broad spectrum UV coverage. But, at least it is something, and my skin just loves when I am using this lotion. It is pretty basic and no nonsense, which I also love. But, it can sometimes be hard to find (you really need a Kiehl's store or counter around you to buy it in person, unless you want to buy it on-line). And let's face it, it is a tad expensive.

So, I've been keeping my eyes open for a product that I could recommend to readers that is similar but at a lower price point. And this is definitely it.

My Mani this Week: Duri Celebrity Scandal

Duri's Celebrity Scandal gives the look of those expensive Minx metallic manicures, without the hassle of going to a salon. The color is a shiny silver with just a touch of tarnish, and there isn't a brush stroke in sight! The wear is so-so (4 days for a mani instead of my usual 5-7), but the ability to get this look at home (and be able to touch it up myself) outweighs that.

Duri Nail Polish

Murad's New Hybrid Eye Lifts

Recently I checked out the new Murad Hybrid face primers, so I thought today I'd tell you more about their Eyelifts, 2 products meant to improve your under eye area.

When I was in my medical training (yes, I worked like a dog for the 6 years after medical school), sleep and I were sometimes not really friends, more like mere acquaintances. Being on call every 4th night (and usually not even laying down, let alone sleeping during those shifts), meant my sleep-wake cycle could be disturbed for days. I would finally sort myself out... just in time to be on call again. Combined with super pale skin (the better to show off dark circles) and my under eye areas could sometimes be really ugly. I had all sorts of primers and concealers to help cope with this issue, and while they helped not much could make me look awake.

While these two products won't correct all issues that your under eye area might have, they do help create a better area for your concealer to do its job! Both come in a pen which twists to release the product. I love that the channel to release is actually very thin, so you actually do have a lot of control over how much you use. The consistency is similar to a light lotion, and both blend easily into the under eye area. As an added bonus, the formulas contain a ton of peptides, which help in the long term with stimulating collagen production.

Eye Lift Perfector
The Perfector is a light skin tone color, and contains ingredients to hydrate (Sodium Hyaluronate) and depuff your under eye area. It does take about 10-15 minutes to see the full effect of the depuffing, but the hydrating works right away to create a great canvas for your concealer. You'll still need that concealer, I don't really see any coverage at all from the coloring of this product, which is fine since it comes in only one shade. Once the 15 minutes is up I did notice my bags were smaller due to the depuffing. I have to say this one worked!


Eye Lift Illuminator
The Illuminator is a violet color corrector, so it will mostly help if your under eye area needs brightening (the violet corrects yellow tones). I promise that it will not leave you looking disturbingly purple, a la Edward Scissorhands. It actually does just what it says- it blends in easily (can't see it is on once you've blended), and is hydrating. This version does not depuff, but I did think things "tightened" a tad. My undereye area did benefit from the violet color correction, and that effect is not lost if you apply concealer over.


Murad Hybrids

Weekend Links and Reads

Total Beauty has created a new site, this one for the man in your life! Modern Man explores style, grooming, health, finance and entertainment from the male perspective. I've already found some great resources on the site, you might want to check it out and let your guy know about it.

Enter Phyrra's Summer Giveaway! 2 Winners, Great Prizes, Open Worldwide!

Enter for a chance to win Personal Microderm, an at home microdermabrasion system worth $179 at Beauty and Personal Grooming

Summer heat leaving you a bit too shiny? Beauty Girl Musings shares her picks of shine-control products to keep your skin's oil-production under control.

Sheila from Painted Ladies experiences the Inclusive Health Program at Murad's headquarters.

Elke finds a new nail polish to gush over.

Beauty Anonymous hearts Tom Ford Private Blend Lip Color in Pink Dusk.

Pink Sith has gone Taupe Crazy over Chanel Ombre Essentielle Eyeshadow in Taupe Grise.

Check out The Makeup Divas reviews of Tarte's New ReCreate Primer and Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler and enter to win both.

Classics never die, as The Makeup Blogger reviews and explains her love of Smith's Rosebud Salve


Modern Man is owned by Total Beauty, who runs my ad network.

Murad's Hybrid Face Primers

I know what you're thinking... This Christine girl must really, really love primers, because she's constantly reviewing them! Well, it just happens that a few have come out recently, and when offered a chance to try them out, what is a beauty addict to say?

Anyways, Murad has released a great line of 4 new "Hybrids", meaning they're not quite makeup, but not quite skincare either. Instead, these products do some of each! For example, these face primers contain hydroxy acids and Sodium Hyaluronate for holding moisture to the skin.

The primers come in 2 different version, Matte or Dewy. Obviously pick the version that you want your skin to me, which for me this time of year is Matte. The primers are both a "universal color" which means for me they are a nude foundation color that is actually about 6 shades darker than my skin. It doesn't seem to matter however, since I don't really notice that is provides any coverage. It applies easily and blends in well, and I can't see it on my skin once it is on. I do think that it creates a great base for my makeup to go over it, and my pores are a bit less noticeable. Perhaps most notable is the mattifying effect. While I'm not incredibly matte (like I am when I use MoM on my face), there is about a 75% decrease in my shine factor, which is pretty impressive considering the heat and humidity we've been experiencing this month in the midwest. The end result is a more natural look than with MoM (which can make me look a bit too matte, which is also not a good thing), so I definitely do like this primer.

I have to confess that I have the dewy primer as well, but haven't felt that I need added dewy factor for my complexion this summer. I'm saving that one for the winter, when my combination skin veers toward the dry side and a bit of dewy will be much appreciated. I'll update on how I like that primer then.

Murad Hybrids

Maximum Lash Final Results: Definitely Longer Lashes

About 11 weeks ago I started using Maximum Lash, one of the more affordable eye lash conditioners out there on the market. And while I did remember to use the product every night (yay me!) I did slack on my promise to share results with everyone weekly. Well, honestly, watching lashes grow is like... Watching lashes grow. Kind of boring. And not much happening until suddenly one day... Bam! Your eye lashes are finally noticeably longer.

Of note, there have been a few interesting articles on-line about Latisse, and why it is regulated. (Check them out on Allure.com and The New York Times.)

I just want to take a moment to be on my soap box and remind everyone that prescription drugs should only be used under the supervision of a doctor, more specifically a doctor you have actually seen. Please don't buy prescription drugs on-line. Yes, I know you want to use Latisse to have longer, thicker eyelashes, which doesn't sound like a big deal. But your eyes are right there! Don't risk your vision!

So, read on to see how this non-prescription and non-vision risking product worked for me.

Shu Uemura's Art of Hair and V Magazine Show You How to Create 2 Great Looks

HAIR PLAY from V Magazine on Vimeo.

I had to share this great little video from V Magazine and Shu Uemura. True, it starts out with a little interview of the model... but hang in there and they'll show you how to create 2 different looks. The first is a simple braid look, but the second is a remake of Faye Dunaway and I loved it. It looks like it took a long time to create, but the video does show you exactly what they did, which I love!

Shu Uemura Art of Hair
V! Magazine

The NEW Pantene: Is it Better?

You may have noticed something on your last trip to the store. The Pantene section likely looked very different. The old stand by products were gone, and there were new formulations in their place.

So, the bad news is that you can't just keep using the same shampoo that you've had since high school. The good news is that you can't just keep using the same shampoo that you've had since high school. Because the new Pantene is way better than the old Pantene, and that's saying a lot!

Clairol's Mirror Moments in Grand Central Station

I had to share this because not only is it incredibly funny, but it's also for a great cause!

Clairol Nice ‘n Easy launched their Mirror Moments campaign. Angela Kinsey (NBC’s The Office), plays Nice ‘n Easy’s “Guardian Girlfriend” (aka Gigi). Recently they set up an interactive mirror in Grand Central Station. When passersby stopped to look in the mirror, Angela magically appeared to give them haircolor feedback and tips. The video of everyone's responses is pretty funny, I especially loved the little boy that dragged his mom over there, and then took off running!

Every time the video is shared with friends, Nice ‘n Easy pledges to donate $1 to Dress for Success Worldwide (up to $50,000). In addition to the monetary donation, Nice ‘n Easy will also donate product to help women look their best! So, check it out, then e-mail it to friends!

Nice ‘n Easy’s Mirror Moments Video

Neutrogena's Age Shield + Repair Anti-Aging Sunblock

Yet another great sunscreen from Neutrogena. They seem to really have hit on something with their combination of active sunscreen ingredients. All of their products feature this combination, which gives these sunscreens full UV spectrum coverage and with the Helioplex combination everything is more stable in the sun.

The Age Shield formulation boasts 2 additional ingredients to help fight aging. The first is "Essential Soy", which Neutrogena states is proven to help reduce the appearance of sun spots and discoloration. I haven't seen any info on Essential Soy, so I can't confirm or deny this claim, though I will say that I'm not jazzed about the name of the ingredient. It just reminds me too much of an essential amino acid, which really is "essential" to your body. I think this is likely just me and my nerdiness though. The sunscreen also contains Vitamin E, an anti-oxidant to help fight UV damage.

The formula is pretty similar to Neutrogena's Spectrum+ Sunscreen with a mild sunscreen smell, easy blendability and both formulations are non-greasy. It doesn't feel heavy on the skin (though I can still tell it is present) though the Age Shield formulation is a little bit thicker on the skin. It wasn't enough to bother me.

Though this formulation is waterproof and sweatproof, I highly recommend reapplying after doing anything in the water. I did wear it in the pool, but immediately after I got out it felt like all of my sunscreen had been washed away. I could feel myself burning! Definitely reapply.







This product line features Helioplex, which basically means they have formulated the product to have the Avobenzone (which is known to be finicky) to be very photostable.

Neutrogena's Age Shield + Repair Anti-Aging Sunblock

Weekend Beauty Blog Network Reads

Beauty Girl Musings is inspired by a new hair product from BE Beverly Hills-- it adds shine, conditions, and protects tresses from harmful heat styling. Read about it here!

A Touch of Blusher reviews Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Body Lotion SPF 15.

The Makeup Divas is giving away 5 TUBES of Kymaro Fix My Roots to 5 lucky winners! Giveaway ends July 13th so hurry and enter today.

Raging Rouge and Cosmetique have teamed up for a Jean-Michelle beauty giveaway.

Sheila from Painted Ladies breaks down a basic lip color application.

Elke shares how to create the 'minx' effect with your eye shadow, thanks to a little help from Courtney of Phyrra.

Beauty Anonymous is looking forward to Jill Stuart's fall 2010 makeup collection.

The Makeup Blogger is grateful for the amazing new HD primer Nurturing Force Blot Out Offensive Shine and Oil Control Cream

Channeling Veronica Lake: Oribe at Armani Privé Fall 2010

The Armani Privé Fall 2010 show was this week in Paris, and I'm in love. I know what you are thinking, weren't the fall shows ages ago? Well, these are the Couture shows, not the Ready to Wear most of us pay more attention to. You can see more about the collection over on Style.com, but the focus of my love is primarily the hair. OMG, the hair....

It's Veronica Lake, but it's not. It's more modern, more natural with movement than Veronica's perfect waves. The buttery shades of blonde almost made me cry when I first saw them, regretting dying my hair a more natural brunette last month.

I received an e-mail about how the look was created, which was a little light on the details. What I can tell you is that Oribe described the look as "super-soft and glamorous... it's rich looking with a bit of texture. It's a very blown out look that almost sweeps into the models' faces. We kept a little curl at the front, with everything mostly straight at the back."

Oribe says to "start with a really soft blowout, making sure to keep quality texture." I'm not certain what that means, other than that he likely means your hair should be soft and move, not become a helmet due to so much product. He recommends Royal Blowout Heat Styling Spray. "You should be able to move the hair... There should be nothing stiff about it whatsoever."

While there was no mention of a curling iron, I think a few twists with a large (>1 1/2") barrel curling iron in the front will achieve the right amount of wave. Just finger comb after curling. Oribe finished with Imperméable Anti-Humidity Spray to lock in the style and keep the movement.

This is the hair I'm wearing this Fall.

Completely Buff: Make Your Own Facial Scrub

If you've been reading for a while, you might have noticed how infrequently I post about facial scrubs. And when I do post about them, I rarely like them. I think there are 3 I've reviewed positively on this site. In fact, in my anti-aging 101 series, when I reviewed what should be in everyone's skin care routine, when exfoliation was discussed I recommended just using a rough wash cloth rather than a scrub because there are so few worthwhile facial scrubs out there.

Why the facial scrub hate?

It isn't because I hate facial scrubs, it's actually because there are so few good products out there. A good facial scrub should have small, uniform and not sharp "grit" in it, and there should be enough of the grit that you can have a pretty even application. If these things are not true, your skin can be unevenly exfoliated, and even worse you can have all sorts of damage. I remember during my derm lectures in my second year of medical school, the lecturer actually pulled up an image of what the skin looks like after using the popular St. Ives Apricot Scrub. It was not a pretty picture, and the first thing I did when I got home that day was throw away my tube. (The issue is the Apricot grit. It is sharp and uneven and makes tears and cuts in the skin.)

Anyways, now you understand my hate of most facial scrubs. Which makes it more amazing that I have now found a 4th facial scrub that I love!!! Yes, I know, this is truly a monumental occasion.

Actually, this isn't a scrub. It's a create your own scrub. In that little bottle is the perfect facial scrub grit: ultra-fine aluminum oxide crystals. They are not sharp, they are evenly sized, and you combine them with your favorite facial cleanser to create your own scrub. Just dump a small amount into your hand (between a dime and nickel size depending on how much scrub you need), add cleanser to the right consistency and mix it up. The grit felt perfect in my scrub- it was definitely exfoliating me but did not feel harsh or too sharp on my skin.

I love being able to decide how much grit I want (for me that's a lot), and I also really love that I can use my own cleanser. This is great for those that might have reactions to different cleansers.

Completely Buff

Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Liquid Sunblock Review

While it would be ideal to have your daily sunscreen included in your morning lotion (can't forget, and can't use an excuse to skip a day)... The truth is that it isn't always possible. Most moisturizers don't include sunscreens. Those that do might not work well for you, might not have broad spectrum coverage or may just not have a high enough SPF. That's when it's better to add a second sunscreen product.

I think that I'm likely not alone in the way I view this product. When it was released there was a lot of talk about it on-line. Would it be light enough to wear daily under makeup? It's broad spectrum, high SPF (yes, higher than the SPF 30 many derms recommend for daily use, but that gives you a bit of leeway if you apply it too light one day), and many women just love the Neutrogena brand. (Yes, I'm one of them.)

So, did it live up to the expectations?

My Everyday Favorite, Go-To Products

It's been a really long time since I shared my "go-to" products with everyone. These are the things that I reach for in between product testings or when I'm having problems with new products. These are the ones I trust to set things back to "right" for me. You'll notice that some typical categories (such as body wash) are missing. That means I don't have 1 product I run back to over and over again.

Poolside Beauty: How I Waterproof

I am not the type of girl to go out without makeup. I need at least concealer, blush and mascara. I'm more comfortable with more. So, what to do when the place I'm going involves getting wet, and therefore losing most of that carefully applied makeup? Well... I do pare down some. But I also waterproof as much as possible.

When I was in Hawaii recently, I used these products everyday poolside. I'm sure that there are some alternatives, but I wanted to share these with you.

Secret Waterproof: This stuff really works. It survived all of my swims in the pool and kept me sweat free in the heat and humidity afterwards. I forgot it one day and used my regular Secret instead. I definitely noticed a difference! I'm taking this on all tropical vacations for now on.

Cover Girl LashBlast Waterproof: It works just as well as the original at lengthening and volumizing. It is most definitely waterproof, even if you rub your eyes and such (so, perfect for weddings). The only issue I can find is that it is very hard to remove. I've tried LashX Lash Cleanse, a few Neutrogena and Olay choices... Only Lancome seems to actually remove it, and even then it takes a few cotton rounds.

Smashbox Limitless Waterproof Eye Liner: This liner has it all. It applies easily, smudges well for the first minute or so, and then becomes waterproof. It completely stood up to everything without an issue. It removes easily with pretty much any eye makeup remover. It comes in an array of colors and even has a sharpener built into the cap!

Philosophy The Supernatural Creme Blush: Ok, yes, this is not waterproof. But, if you don't rub your cheeks it does seem to stay put despite swimming. The creme formula also makes it pretty easy to apply over your sunscreen.


I bought the LashBlast and Smashbox liner.
The Secret and Philosophy were samples.

Thursday Links

My friend Michelle over at All Lacquered Up helped NY Magazine put together a shopping guide to nail polish! She covered all the best colors in pretty much every price range. Nail Polish Shopamatic at NY Mag

Talika Cosmetics is holding a contest! Go to their Facebook Page and receive a FREE Lipocils Expert, their lash booster. After using the product for 28 days, entrants are required to submit a video between July 18th and August 31st that documents their results. This is a great way to try out a lash booster if you've been curious. I haven't tried Talika yet, but I have a tube at home just waiting to be tried out!


A month or so ago I shared Groupon with everyone, a great site that lets you get deals at different businesses in your area. Now there is CoupRecoup, where you can pickup some of those discounts second hand. A great place to check for discounts others never used on things like spa treatments, mani/pedis, restaurants and more.


If you're in New Orleans this weekend, don't miss out on the Essence Music Festival! Carol's Daughter is one of my fav skin and hair care companies, and they are planning a ton of special events around the music festival!

The Carol’s Daughter pop-up shop will be located at 531 Bienville Street in the French Quarter, all events take place there.
• July 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 2-6pm: Join Carol’s Daughter for happy hour parties inside the pop-up store, with tunes from a different local DJ each day as well as beverages from Diageo and complimentary Cajun treats!
• July 1, all day: Enjoy free ice cream courtesy of Carol’s Daughter at the branded ice cream truck stationed outside of the store.
• July 3, 5:30pm: Meet Trey Songz
• July 3, 6:30pm: Meet Hawthorne star Jada Pinkett Smith
• July 4, 1:00pm: Meet Gospel Duo Mary Mary