Lip Inflation

It is sinful how many lip glosses/balms I own. I am ashamed of myself.

Anyway, decided I needed more this weekend and picked up the Sally Hansen Lip Inflation BOGO at CVS.

:: Sally Hansen Lip Inflation ::

Good things:

1. Okay, one thing straight, I am not looking for puffy lips. Anyone who *thinks* they can get puffy lips from a plumping gloss is out of their noggin. That being said, on this day, at this moment, I decided I wanted to know how it feels to have cinnamon tingling on your lips. And I don't regret that one bit.
2. This is a really nice gloss and does give your lips a hint of plumpness. Not so much making them bigger, but maybe making the lines on your lips fill in a bit. It stimulates with peppermint/cinnamon so it doesn't last long and it's not that intense. It's more like the feeling that maybe someone was just nibbling on your lips and that is quite nice, thankyouverymuch.
3. Hydrates lips. Cleared up a small case of chapped lips that I had.
   
4. Never feels sticky.
   
5. Colors are nude/natural. Works for me.
6. Packaging is nice...square shape doesn't roll off of tables/desks/sinks. Brush is great versus the sponge tip...it stays where you put it.
7. Cheap.

Bad things:

1. Doesn't *exactly* do what it promises to do, but it's not like anyone is stupid enough to buy that line anyway.
2. Some gals may prefer darker shades.

Easy Breezy

I had a coupon for the new Venus Breeze razor, but was hesitant to try it out. When I saw it on sale, I figured it was worth the plunge.

:: Gilette Venus Breeze 2 in 1 Razor Plus Shave Gel Bars ::

Good things:

1. The best part of this razor is that you don't have to use shaving cream with the razor, you just zip it over your legs after wetting it. The Shick Intuition razor was sort of the same idea, but I always found the bar around the razor to go down quickly and the razor itself would cut the shit out of my legs. Good concept, poor design. But I've always loved the triple blade action of the Mach 3 and Venus razors, so the fact that they're combining two great ideas is good news for us.
2. It really does glide over the leg and leave it semi-moisturized (not that you could skip lotion, mind you). It also bends so well that I didn't get any nicks or cuts. Yay.
   

Bad things:

1. This is really best for lazy days or travelling. It doesn't give you the close shave of a traditional razor and good cream/lotion, but you can be damn sure I'll be using this and buying refill packs.
2. A little on the expensive side, but worth every penny if it makes the heady task of shaving easier. God I hate shaving.

Tinted Moisturizer

Today is the vernal equinox, and with the changing of the seasons I usually change my foundation. In warm weather, I prefer tinted moisturizer over foundation. It's light and natural and just feels right.

This one is by far my holy grail.

:: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer ::

Good things:

1. Covers up problem spots without being too cakey or fake.
2. Evens out skin tone.
3. Has ingredients that improve the look of your skin.
4. Nice consistency and even application.
5. SPF formula is great.
6. Has natural, yellow undertones (hard to find in drugstore products...many are far too pink).
7. Love the pump bottle. Very sanitary and clean.
8. Great price.

Bad things:

1. Only bad thing I can think about is that it looks darker than it should in the container, but that's just an annoying thing and it goes on the color it should.

Anti-Aging, Anti-Wrinkles, DISCUSS!

Okay, I got a comment from Becky that goes like this:

I don't think you've covered anti-wrinkle creams yet. I just discovered that a bunch of my 25-30 year-old friends use anti-aging creams reguarly. Personally, I thought these kinds of things were for when you got old and actually had wrinkles...not as a preventative measure. Also, I am doubting the science of anything that promises to take away (or prevent) wrinkles. Please discuss oh-holy-maven-of-beauty-products.

Here are my thoughts on anti-aging/wrinkle creams and products: THEY ARE A HUGE WASTE OF MONEY AND WOMEN FALL FOR IT TIME AND TIME AGAIN. We are so desperate to look young we will pay for anything that promises to tighten, firm, or fill-in those cracks. I personally do not have many wrinkles yet, but I do notice my skin aging a bit and I certainly think my eye area could use some perking up.

There are only two things we know for sure:
1. Sunscreen is a must. Every day. Every single damn day. Get over wanting to look like a golden goddess...pruning your skin in the sun or even worse in a tanning bed. You are aging your skin exponentially. Wear sunblock (I prefer foundation/moisturizer with SPF of at least 15 included), and stay out of the sun when you have a choice.
2. Aging skin usually lacks moisture. Give your skin moisture, and it will look more plump and young.

Beyond that, you should take good care of your skin every day. (I personally recommend using an AHA product to keep your skin looking healthy.) There are no miracle products that are going to make your skin stay forever young. Sometimes the most expensive products are the biggest pieces of bullshit.

My single best resource for skincare science is Paula Begoun. Reading her books changed my life. She knows her shit and relies on FACTS, not hype, to make recommendations. Go to her site, check out the links on the left, particularly "Dear Paula" and "Skin Care Facts"...and sign up for her free email newsletter! She rocks my world. I can't say it enough.

Buff nails

Love, love, love, love, love this stuff.

I am a fan of the nude, buffed nail look. This stuff by Neutrogena is perfect for that "gosh your nails are nice" in that totally natural way.

:: Neutrogena Instant Nail Enhancer ::

The premise of this stuff is that you put it on once a day, it dries instantly, it's not a polish so you don't ever need to take it off with remover, but it builds a healthy nail and prevents peeling (which I personally have a huge problem with...hate peeling nails!)

At $7.99, it's a tad more than I'd want to pay, but it's worth it because it's a unique product and it lasts a long while. It comes in two colors, a clear "buff" and a more white pearlescent.

This is nice under polish too.

Fluckr

You need to check out my friend Grooveburgh's new blog, Fluckr. He finds random photos on Flickr and writes zany stories to narrate the moments.

Go now.

Voluptuous Volume

I have been lax in my blogging. I know. It's not easy to keep this up, people. And I'm starting to feel like I'm alone in an empty room writing shit that nobody reads (save for 3 people who I *make* read this blog).

That's not the point. Today I'm back on it, bringing you a rock star product that you've GOT to try if you have fine/limp hair. Usually styling products give you a trade-off: either something adds volume but makes your hair sticky or crunchy, or it makes your hair sleek and shiny but flat. This one gives you the best of all worlds.

:: Got 2 Be 2 Sexy Voluptuous Volume Mousse ::

Good things:

1. For a cheap drugstore mousse, this product kicks the ASS of all the salon "volumizing" products I've tried! It totally gives you volume and lift without being sticky or greasy at. all. Believe me when I say I've tried *everything* under the sun to give my fine hair a boost, and nothing ever delivers. This is one exceptional exception.
   
2. Lasts throughout the day, doesn't start failing at lunchtime like my caffeine buzz does.
3. You can still run your fingers through your hair. Doesn't feel "coated" at all.
4. A small, liquidy amount on your palm rises to become a massive mountain of mousse, but it sinks in the hair nicely and gives it volume and shine.
5. Tones down frizz when applied to wet hair.
   
6. Smells goooood.

Bad things:

1. The name. Okay, nobody wants to have a bottle of "Got 2 Be 2 Sexy" sitting around in plain view. I hate when companies think they can name their products with IM abbreviations like "2" or "ur". It's insulting. But I still love this product.