Late Summer Beauty Wishes

As a self-professed product junky, I'm always trying out the latest products or products that I haven't tried yet. Maybe it's my ADD or just the fact that I get bored easily.  I'm always looking for the newest thing. Luckily, I'm not like that with {msL}. Seven years and still going strong. Because of this beauty fickleness (is that a word?), I have a constant running list of products I want to try. These are on my current list.

Click photos above for buying information.

From top left...

Urban Decay Naked Basics eyeshadow - My daily eye shadow is very neutral. I pale cream, tan or pink on my lid and brown in the crease.  I may be the only blogger who doesn't own this shadow but when my friend Alison of Wardrobe Oxygen said she was a new fan, I added it to my list. She favors a natural make up look (like I do) with a bold lip.  I'll be trying it out on my next trip to Sephora or Ulta.

Gelous Advance Nail Gel Coat - I've read quite a few reviews on this base/top coat that can give you a gel like manicure at home, without the lengthy removal process. You can use it with any polish.  I've heard tales of it wearing anywhere from one week to two weeks. At only about $6 per bottle (from Sally Beauty) it's worth a try. It will have to be stellar to surpass my love of Revlon ColorStay.

Yes to Grapefruit CC Cream - I'm a big fan of BB and CC creams. They give great moisture to my over 40 skin and nice coverage (in most cases).  Lara of The Glossarie (one of my fave beauty blogs) listed this CC cream on her new drugstore faves. She tests out tons of products and if she is giving it raves, I have to try it.

Murad Instant Radience Eye Cream - Another recommended product from Lara. She had me at "blurs dark circles" and "I don't leave home without it."

Avon Mega Effects Mascara - There has been tons of buzz about this mascara and it's quirky brush. It's gotten some great reviews and I'm dying to try it. Lucky for me my college roomie is an Avon representative! Stay tuned!

What's In My Bag - Daytime Edition

I have an illness, it's called bag overcrowding. I carry big bags and have a terrible time keeping the stuff inside to a minimum. So I'm constantly cleaning out my bag. There are some items I can't live without. Whether it's a real or perceived need, if I don't have them in my bag, I feel like I'll need them. These are always in my day bag. I pair down a bit for evening or if I'm carrying a day clutch or smaller weekend bag.

My favorite newer bag. Calvin Klein hobo style. A gift from my sister.

• Reading Glasses - I haven't worn glasses most of my life. Until I started spending so much time on my computer and reached a certain age. It seems like I woke up one day and suddenly I couldn't see anymore. My Honey has the same problem. 
• Sunglasses - I have a bit of a sunglasses obsession. The shades I'm sporting change regularly. If I'm not careful, I'll end up with more than one pair in my bag.  
• Gum - It squelches my hunger pangs and banishes coffee breath.  
• Coach Wristlet - I'm almost never without this trusty friend. It holds my cash, license, ATM card, credit card, and the membership cards I use most often. I grab it when I don't want to carry my whole bag. 
• Reusable Bag (with CVS tag) - I try to use this bag as often as possible. It helps me to be more green and if I use it at CVS it will earn me an ECB for every 4 uses. 
• Headphones - They prevent me from being obnoxious to those around me who don't love my music as much as I do.  
• Levenger Shirt Pocket Briefcase and my business cards - I love my iPhone but sometimes I need to jot a quick note or give someone information. This little tool is perfect. I even have cards with my name printed at the top. I also carry two different business cards so it's nice to have a place to store them. 
• Mary Kay Compact - This little beauty holds lip gloss, blush, bronzer and mini brushes.  I customize it with my favorite colors and can change it on a whim. The colors are held in by magnets. It's great for an evening bag too. 
• Beauty Case (with way too many lip colors) - I'm a confessed lip color junkie. I even change my color mid day sometimes. This bag holds lots of lip color, my favorite concealer, oil blotting papers, a Tide pen for my messiness, and of course tampons.
• Wallet - This wallet holds the other credit cards I have (only 2), the bazillion membership cards to every store in the known universe, insurance cards, a couple of checks, and important receipts. This wallet was a gift to myself when I went to Paris. It was a big splurge at the time (2004) but I love it. 
• I also carry my iPhone every day.  It's not in the picture because it's usually in my pocket and not in my bag.

What's in your bag?

Target Beauty Samples (and they were FREE!)

Back in August I battled a busy website to request the Target Beauty Bag. The Target Beauty Bag is a small cosmetic bag filled with soles and coupons. Target offered this goodie bag free (while supplies lasted). I got my box in the mail today.

 

 

Since the box was so small I didn't hold much hope for the contents. I was wrong. There were some good items inside.

 

 

The samples were packaged inside this cute little bag.

 

I got hair care samples from John Frieda, Garnier Fructis and Tresemme Naturals. There were skin care samples from Ponds, Burt's Bees, and L'Oreal. Plus a coupon book containing over $20 worth of coupons. There were coupons for make-up (Revlon, Cover Girl, Maybelline), nail products from Sally Hansen, as well as hair care and skin care from the companies who provided samples and many more. Most coupons were worth $1 or more!

Best of all the samples, bag and coupons were sent to me free! I'm sure Target will offer these bags again. I will keep you posted.

Frugal Fashion Fridays - Drugstore Finds

This is the beauty edition of Frugal Fashion Friday.  You don't need to spend a fortune for great beauty products.  These items can be found at your local neighborhood drugstore. They will give you lots of value for your money. These are products I actually use myself. I'd never recommend something to you that I didn't love.  Some of them may surprise you a little.

$11

I've sung the praises of Neutrogena Liquid moisturizer with SPF before.  Many lotions only contain SPF of 15 or 25, even though most dermatologists recommend much higher.  Using SPF is key to slowing down those wrinkles even on days when you are in the office and not at the beach.  This one is lightweight and not greasy, even under makeup.

$4

I am the queen of polish smudging.  I have serious trouble sitting still long enough for my polish to dry. Sally Hansen Insta-Dri has saved me more times than I can count. They have a good range of colors from neutrals to brights and they only take a few minutes to dry!

$10

One of my hard and fast beauty rules is that I remove my makeup every night before bed.  These little beauties, RoC Daily Resurfacing Disks are in my arsenal.  They remove all of my makeup, moisturize and exfoliate. I love the little pocket for your fingers and the fact that the pad contains a two step process in one little applicator.

$6

I've tried lots of lipsticks, in fact, I'm a bit of lip color junkie.  If lipstick has a funny smell or taste then I don't care how great the color is, I won't wear it, ever.  Revlon Colorburst Lipstick has a pretty range of colors for all skin tones, color you can layer, creamy texture, and good smell and taste. Candy Pink is my favorite for spring and summer.

$2.99

I use Tea Tree Oil for everything from rough elbows and heels to cuticles and fly-aways. There are a ton of different brands but I get this one at CVS for less than $3.

$8

I've been using Just for Men Mustache & Beard hair color to touch up my roots and grays for years.  A great hairstylist turned me on to it before Clairol ever started selling root touch up. The reason I love this brand and still use it for touch ups is that you can mix just a small amount at a time to get only a few places.  It lasts through several applications, depending on how much you use and it fades gradually. The cost per application is only about $2.  I'm sure this one is a shocker to you. It's really the best product I've found for a super quick touch up on my temples or right at my part. I don't use it for full root application but it's so easy for instant color. I also love a product called Colormark but it washes out after one shampoo.

There are so many great beauty buys to be found at your local drugstore.  Do you have favorites?  Leave me comment and tell me about them.

If I was Stranded

While watching Survivor the other night (yes I still watch Survivor), I started thinking about my essentials.

My essentials are the five beauty items that if I couldn't have anything else, would be enough. I'm a product junkie. I love to try new products, new colors and new formulas. The thought of only using five products forever, is a bit scary. Double or even triple duty products would be key.

My five are:

• Face lotion with spf 50 - I like Neutrogena Healthy Defense because it's not too thick, chalky and greasy. I wear lotion with spf every day. It can do triple duty as tinted moisturizer (see below) and as a makeup remover. A small amount rubbed in with your fingers and a wet cloth can remove eye makeup.
• Eye cream - Mary Kay Age Fighting Eye Cream is my pick because it sinks in quickly but it rich.
• Concealer  - I can't live without Cle de Peau Beute concealer. I have very dark circles (heredity) and it is the best concealer I've ever used. It's pricey but lasts forever. Thinned with a bit of lotion, it could also be used as a tinted moisturizer.
• Mascara - Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara is lengthens and thickens but isn't clumpy. I could do double duty as eyeliner.
• Tinted lip balm - Mary Kay tinted lip balm has spf 15 and comes it great colors (Blush is shown in the picture below). It could do triple duty as lip, cheek and eye color.

Enter the Swag Bag Giveaway for a chance to win some of these products.

I'm (still) Obsessed Thank You Very Much - OPI Shatter New Colors II!

his post is a continuation of last week's post showing the new OPI Shatter colors.  I can't wait to try them. There are two more colors that I want to share with you, they are White Shatter and Red Shatter.  These will be so much fun to layer and mix and match.  Each comes with a coordinating shade, Spark De Triomphe with White Shatter and Rally Pretty Pink with Red Shatter.

L to R:  Spark de Triomphe, White Shatter, Rally Pretty Pink, Red Shatter

For more information, please call 800-341-9999 or visit www.opi.com.  Follow OPI on Twitter @OPI PRODUCTS and become a Facebook fan!

I'm Obsessed Thank You Very Much - OPI Shatter

Entry one of a new feature: "I'm Obsessed Thank You Very Much". The title is a quote from St. Elmo's Fire. My teen of the 80's self loves that movie. I find that I focus on an item or style and really become obsessed with incorporating it into my own style.

Back in December I started seeing ads in magazines for a new nail polish by OPI, Shatter.  It's a black top coat that you put over a contrasting color. As it dries, it cracks and reveals the color underneath. I searched in stores during December and January but couldn't find out when it would be available. Magazines always get products and ads early to build excitement. The manager of my local Ulta told me the polish wouldn't be released until January 21st. I got it the first day it was available and have been wearing it ever since with all sorts of colors. I LOVE IT!!

Wet n Wild - Rain Check, OPI - Shatter

Step One
Choose your base coat. I've found that lighter colors show up better but any bright color will do. That's the fun part of this polish. I chose, Wet n Wild's Rain Check because it was a fun blue and I thought it would show up well.

Step Two
Paint your base coat and let it dry thoroughly.  If your base polish isn't completely dry, Shatter won't crack properly.  Also make sure there are no oils or residue on your base coat. I wash my hands, then wipe them dry and buff the base a little with a soft cloth before applying Shatter.

Step Three
Apply Shatter top coat. You'll need to work quickly. Making only one pass per nail section is best. If you go back over it, Shatter gets clumpy. I find a medium coat works best. It should be opaque but not super thick. This polish dries incredibly fast.

I painted this nail and this shot was taken within 10 seconds. You can see how quickly it starts to dry.

Shatter dries matte.  If you want it to last or look shiny, you'll have to use a top coat.  The top coat also enhances the brightness of your base coat.

Here is a step by step demo by OPI.




Shatter is sold out in many stores. You can find it online by doing a search for OPI Shatter. I'm hoping that because of it's popularity, OPI will consider producing it in other colors.

21 Guns

During the trip to NYC that my sister I made in September, we saw the amazing Broadway show, American Idiot. As you know, from my post titles, music is a huge part of my life. I'd been listening to the album constantly since it came out and couldn't wait to see the show. I've seen many Broadway shows in my life and grew up listening to my parent's records of musicals like West Side Story, South Pacific and The Sound of Music. This one was different from traditional Broadway musicals in a fantastic way. It was all about the music and the story, with little to no dialogue. I loved the show and can't wait to take my Honey to see it. I've included a video of 21 Guns by Green Day and the cast at the end of this post.

As a nod to the show, I've added a few punk touches, as well as my own two guns to this outfit.

Jacket - Thrifted, Shirt - Old Navy, Jeans - Lane Bryant, Shoes - asos,
Belt - Lane Bryant, Necklace - DIY, Bracelets - gifts, K-Mart, Kohls, Watch - Target

I thought I lived in DC, not Chicago but we have been having crazy widstorms. They got up to 60 miles an hour yesterday. There is no hope for hair in wind like that.





Because I'm dying for Spring to arrive, I've been seeking out bright make-up colors. I found this great pink lipstick.  It's Revlon Colorburst in Candy Pink. I have to admit, I've never like Revlon lipsticks. I'm very picky when it comes to the smell and taste of lipstick. It it's the least bit chemical, I can't wear it. The Colorburst line is very creamy and has a nice scent and little to no flavor. Most of my make-up is Mary Kay. But I can't resist walking the make-up aisles at the drugstore.

And now for your musical entertainment, Green Day and the cast of American Idiot.