Everyday Minerals

So, the other day, I was searching for a product under my sink in what can be the makeup graveyard. I keep my everyday essentials in mini drawers on the counter, but have quite a bit of good stuff under that sink. I came across little sample jars from Everyday Minerals from a couple of years ago. All you pay is shipping, and you get to test out three foundation colors, a blush and a concealer powder. It's amazing! The reviews have always been great, and I really liked the color options in my sample kit. Before Bare Minerals brought a yellow based shade to their foundations, I was about to switch. It is way cheaper. The packaging is bare bones, but the product is decent and you have so many options to choose from.

I liked the semi-matte finish the best. They sell a sponge if you want to apply the powder minerals with a heavier coverage.

Everyday Minerals Sample Kit

Fun Sites

Today at work, I discovered "Confessions of a Wannabe Fashionista." I love her way of putting things together in a really conservative, classy, simple-with-a-twist way.

Check it out.

Also, I've been enjoying Mopshots...real girls' hair cuts and styles from around the country.

Benefit sale

• Get 20% off all orders! 3 days only! Enter MAKEUP20 at checkout. One use per customer. Can be combined with shipping codes. Offer valid 5/27/09 - 5/29/09. • Get FREE US standard shipping with any $50 order. Enter PRETTY50 at checkout. • Get FREE international standard shipping with purchase of $115 or more. Enter promo code WORLD115 at checkout. • Get a FREE color plump in yoo hoo with any $35 purchase. No promo code necessary. Product automatically ships with your order. While supplies last. • 2 FREE samples with every order. • Shop our buh-buys section for sale items up to 50% off! (All sales are final on buh-buys merchandise.) • Secure shopping and easy online checkout when you shop at benefitcosmetics.com • Hassle-free returns. • Create a wishlist and send to family & friends. • Want to place an order by phone? Call 800.781.2336 • Have a beauty question? Need to contact customer service? Call 800.781.2336 or email us here. You are receiving this email because you have opted in to receive email promotions and special offers from Benefit Cosmetics LLC. If you wish to be removed from this list, or to change your email address click here © Copyright 2009, Benefit Cosmetics LLC

Evangeline Lilly

Beautiful color, and so original. I love the high neck and structure.

Benefit Erase Paste

Okay, I have a mixed review on this one. I am still up in the air as to whether I will purchase it with my store credit or not.

I had tried it when it first came out, and was not impressed with the staying power. Then, with my last Sephora order, I got the deluxe sample of it. I tried it on at the end of the day, so my skin was dewy and more hydrated (read: semi-greasy.) I was AMAZED by the brightening coverage under my eyes. Seriously, I did one side first and it made the other side look dark and haggard. Amazing coverage.

I have been wearing it everyday for about three weeks, and I have to say that I feel like I need it. It just covers those dark circles and brightens up the whole area. Now, to the negatives. Maybe it's because my skin is so combo--it starts off very dry early in the day and then gets oily--but it settles into the creases and feathers as the day goes on. I've even tried setting it with powder, but it still feathers. So, at lunch, I use the warmth of my finger to pat it and blend again, and it maintains coverage. But, I would rather it didn't feather at all. I don't want to be checking my makeup all day.

Some people use this on other blemishes, but it would only be an undereye concealer for me. It is kind of a pinky tint, which counteracts the blue under the eyes, but would look super obvious against my yellowish skin.

Benefit Erase Paste

Self Tanners

I found this guide helpful. A few of the products I had never heard of.

Ultimate Self-Tanner Guide

Perfect Fit

I love Isla Fisher in this casual look...but especially the fit of those jeans. It reminds me of about five years ago when my friends and I saw Dido in concert, and she had the most perfectly fitting jeans on. It sparked the designer/perfect jean craze among all of us.

I'm also super into that woven bag. I love all the woven leather this spring!

Classy Reese

New HG product

So, I have been in the market for a new dry shampoo. Since I cut my bangs again in February, I have tried using saltspray on them when drying (to make the hair less oily and more texturized) and have been trying to use up my Oscar Blandi dry shampoo. The salt spray is hit or miss...too much and my bangs are crunchy. Furthermore, the scent of the Blandi stuff is a lemon verbena--normally a smell that I would appreciate. Well, after a while, it becomes the smell I associate with dirty, greasy hair. Therefore, I hate the smell now. It makes me feel tired, in a hurry and dirty (unconscious response.)

Anyways, I read about Klorane dry shampoos--all natural ingredients--and happened to see one that is nonaerosol. I hate how every aerosol can I have ever owned has clogged--Jonathan hairspray, Sally Hanson Airbrush Legs, Artec hairspray, Pssss! dry shampoo, etc.

I ordered it, and I was thrown by the lack of an actual spray button. Instead, you turn it open to reveal a nozzle and then squeeze the sides to make it come out. It sounds complicated, I know...and it was hard to grasp at first. They even include an illustration on it!

But, the stuff works, has no obnoxious smell and doesn't make my hair all gritty. I love it! It comes out white, but turns to clear in a few seconds.

Does this mean that my bangs can look like this everyday now?? (As I wash my hair every other day.)

Cameron

I LOVE this outfit. It's so classy and elegant, but still fresh with that kimono type of top. I would totally wear that.

Secret to Taking Off Dark Nail Polish

I hate taking off dark nail polish. It almost deters me from actually painting my nails dark. I got my nails done recently in a super dark purple/burgundy. I dreaded taking it off, but then came across this instructional guide for taking it off...and it worked!!!

Secret to Taking Off Dark Nail Polish

Cocoa Butter

I love, love, love the smell of cocoa butter. I used to use Vaseline Cocoa Butter lotion. I also really like body oils. I have a few of them...monoi scented, coconut scented, unscented. I find that I don't really wear them that often since I feel paranoid about transferring oil onto anything else.

That's why I feel very intrigued by this Palmer's Cocoa Butter Moisturizing Gel Oil...especially as we head into summer. I love having soft skin, and oil does that better than any lotion I've ever used! And, it has SPF 15, which will keep skin softer over the long run. It seems really new, and I can't for my life find a link or picture for it. Also, it has mineral oil in it, so don't use it on any areas that are acne-prone.

In my quest to find a picture of it, I came across the Vaseline Intensive Care Vitalizing Gel Oil. It doesn't have SPF in it, but, boy, do I love the smell of almond oil.

Scars, hyperpigmentations and sunspots

This post is mostly for Laura, who asked for these resources...

Last fall, a friend of mine asked for suggestions to get rid of what she called the "zebra stripe" on her forehead. Basically, a dark skin discoloration. These can be caused by sun exposure, hormones, and I don't know what else!

I did a little research and suggested:

1. A professional strength glycolic peel.
I am a huge fan of glycolic acid. I love the idea of chemically exfoliating the skin. It evens out the skin tone, physically smooths it out and brightens everything. I used to struggle with any tiny blemish on my face leaving a scar for months. Now, because of all the glycolic products I use, scars fade so much faster. You just have to remember to be super diligent about sunscreen, since your skin will be much more vulnerable and exposed, with layers gone.

She had great luck with this peel. Start it out at once a week for a few weeks, then twice a week if your skin can handle it. Never overdo it or you'll be peely for quite some time. I like to use a very mild cleanser anyways, but especially around the time of doing peels.

I am a firm believer in good skincare. And stuff like this means you have to wear less makeup!

2. A Hydroquinone Product
Hydroquinone is a lightening agent. It is sold over the counter in 2% dosages, or 4% with a prescription. My dermatologist once gave me some for the acne scars that used to plague me...until I discoverd glycolic acid, of course.
This product you use specifically on the discoloration. Again, ramp up the amount of sunscreen you use, as that's how many discolorations get so bad in the first place.

2% Glytone
Philosophy- A Pigment of Your Imagination (with SPF 18)