Beauty...

A few folks have recently asked me about what makeup I use and the first words that always jump out of my mouth are "oh, I have the most amazing product...."

Now, to be fair, I never put a speck of what could be called "foundation" or "base" (are those terms even used anymore?) on my skin until last summer when I started noticing uneven skin tone and a few, well, age spots (bleh!)   So, I don't have any history in the category.  I simply explained my desires to the nice woman at Nordstrom (something very light-weight because I (and my kids) seem to touch my face a lot; something easy to apply; something that avoids that "paste" look at all costs;  and a little sunscreen would be nice).  And, although she was a MAC saleswoman; she smiled and said I have just the product for you....

Ofcourse, I mentally balked at the Chanel name and price tag at first, but once she applied it (with a brush) and I saw/felt the result; I was sold.  It perfectly delivers on all my requests and I've been happily singing its praises ever since.  Turns out that it is quite a good value too.... given I just finished that original bottle two days ago... meaning it lasted nearly 8 months!

Now, I'm ready to try something new:  the rms beauty living luminizor featured on J.Crew recently... I've long admired how natural and "fresh faced" their models always appear and I'm intrigued by all of the recent "buzz" about the benefits of "contouring".  I'm hoping it will work its magic on me!

I'll keep you posted.

Lip Service...

As you all know, I'm a self-professed slacker when it comes to make-up.  Ofcourse, I want to look beautiful; I just don't have the time or gumption to track the latest trends; let the lady at the make-up counter have her way with my face and spend money on products I'm not sure I'll like (I mean, a new pair of shoes or that potted citrus is a sure thing!) :)

So.... it's great when a girlfriend gives me a product like this one with the words "everyone says it's amazing" falling off her lips.  Supposedly, "its unique formulation works with your body's chemistry to give you just the right shade...." or something along those lines.

Dior Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm

I'll just go with.... I love it!

Anything you're loving lately?

T'Goodness'IF

it's time to stock the bar for holiday entertaining.... isn't this a beaut?

speaking of beauty.... really, how does one get their hair to look so gorgeous?

a short-sleeve coat may not be all that practical... but it sure is cute (especially paired with stripes)

made this for dinner Tuesday night.... delicious!

Cheers to the weekend!

Be(you)tiful

My guy and I watched Song for Marion over the weekend (he's sweet about letting me pick them).... a charming movie in large part due to the always compelling performances of actress Vanessa Redgrave..... (who also happened to inspire our first European road trip)....

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..... and is a testament to the true beauty found in growing older gracefully.....

Beauty: Here comes the Sun

I can't even believe that it is Memorial Day weekend already.... the time that signals the end of school, the first barbecue, the opening of swimming pools and the beginning of summer.  (This definitely does not translate over here in Switzerland as we still have a month of school left and it is downright chilly... but I'll live vicariously thru all of you in the States).

With the change of the season I find comes the need for some adjustments in beauty regimen..... favoring lighter weight products, more UV protection, total body exfoliation and a bit of shine to achieve that sunkissed healthy looking glow.  Here are a few products I've been loving lately...

loofah mitt, LaRoche facial moisturizer, Dior Addict lip gloss  and Bliss mask

.... I hope they along with a some warmer temps and few hundred tricep curls and sit-ups will do the trick

Now will someone eat a grilled hamburger and potato salad for me?

Have a great weekend everyone!

.... and a HUGE thank you to all those who have served and are currently serving the great country I'm so happy to call home.... the USA!

Beauty: Nail It!

Why not shake your (polished) finger in Old Man Winter's face today and give yourself a manicure?   True fans of simple pleasures; freshly polished nails are always a quick and easy pick-me-up for me and my girls.  There certainly is a lot of creativity going on in the nail department right now; but we always favor a good coral or classic red when we aren't sporting this.  Instant sunshine..... well, almost.

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Beauty

It has been ages since I've done a beauty post it seems; and that's because, well, it's too darn expensive to be beautiful here in Switzerland. :)  Seriously, a tube of my favorite drugstore product... Maybelline "Falsies" mascara is $21 here for example; and an Essie nail polish is the same.... so there is not a lot of impulse buying or experimenting going on.

That's why I was excited to come upon this Elle tutorial from my favorite make-up brand, Nars, this week; focusing on a low-key, well-rested look that doesn't involve a ton of products or time; yet delivers the fresh-faced glow that I love.....

Tres Jolie....don't you agree?

Have a great weekend everyone!

Beauty & the Beast (aka Hair)......

on my head.. and my eyebrows.... I almost hyperventilated yesterday when I showed up to an eyebrow waxing appointment and discovered the woman spoke no English (yes, the woman I booked the appointment with did but she was nowhere to be found...)  This is not a case where hand gestures, smiles and head nodding suffice.....I literally held my breath as she applied the wax strips silently praying that she understood me to say "not too thin" instead of "I want them thin"....  

And, yes, this experience should probably deter me from trying out a new hairstyle until I'm back home next summer but you know how it is once you've made up your mind..... I'm stuck in a rut and need a new style asap.  This is the look I'm longing (or should I say going much shorter) for.....

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Now, I'm no Olivia, Gwyneth or Alexa; but this time around I'll be taking these photos with me in the hopes that the stylist can work her magic on little ol' me .... and pronounce at the end like the woman doing my brows did.... "tres jolie! tres jolie!"..... The alternative?.... my hair will look like the end of a mop.   :)   I'll keep you "post"ed. 

Have you ever taken a photo in to show a stylist what you wanted?
How did it turn out?

Gilt.....

..... not the "makes you feel bad; comes with a lot of baggage" kind..... but the "happy, sparkly, adds instant glamour to fashion, beauty and decor" variety..... this season....

Quips & Queries gilded edge cards; Solstice mirror, gold dot pillow; Sally Hansen gilded lily nail polish, gilded vessel;  Sephora gilded brush set; gilded cuff

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..... or year around

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Beauty..... & the Beast

....... as for the "beast"; I hate to be a downer but I'd be remiss if I didn't post my first (& hopefully last) official blog retraction to this post from a couple of weeks ago re:  shellac nail polish.  So, it was certainly great while it lasted but around 2 1/2 weeks I wanted it off.... and therein lies the problem.  After soaking, peeling, soaking some more,  and becoming extremely irritated.... it is still not completely off and what remains of the nails I did manage to scrape it off of is horrible (and too embarrassing to even post a photo).  I will never get another shellac polish unless I am assured that the removal process has been significantly improved and my sincere apologies to anyone that got one based on my ill-informed excitement!

Now..... onto some tried and true beauty finds that have earned a permanent spot on my vanity this summer......

Murad Essential-C Day Moisture SPF 30:  This product smells divine..... the slightest scent of citrus that is invigorating in the morning.  I love its light-weight texture, the strong SPF, and the fact that it dries fast so I can get right to my make-up.

Bliss Clog Dissolving Cleansing Milk:  It's not news that I love a lot of Bliss products but this has skyrocketed to the top.  Applying this to my face is the closest thing I've experienced to an at-home facial and, in fact, can be used as a 5-minute mask.  Again, the smell is light and yummy..... grapeseed and bitter orange.

Johnson & Johnson Aloe Vera & Vitamin E creamy oil lotion:  Yes, it smells good too.....(what can I say, I like pretty smelling products). And, while I also love super soft skin; ever since I can remember I've despised using body lotion.  It's always too thick, is sticky... or never seems to dry.  This product is the first one I've found that is the perfect mix of creamy and fast drying without leaving that residue feel.

Have you made any beauty discoveries this summer?  

Beauty: Shellac Nail Polish

House of Marlowe

I remember a few weeks after I had my first baby... calling my husband at work and asking if he would please stop by on his lunch break and pick me up a new bottle of Tiffany perfume.....may sound silly, but I just needed something to make me feel feminine and like my "old" self again.

..... fast forward 12 years to the day of our move; when after neglecting myself for weeks..... I decided to dedicate an hour to one last American pedicure..... same objective in mind.  Now, I love a pedicure but I'm not a manicure girl..... generally I think it's a big waste of money for me because of my heavy hand washing, kid's stuff lifestyle and the inevitable chip less than 24 hours of having them done.  But .....while the gal was polishing my toes she mentioned that I might want to try out my go-to color, OPI Bubble Bath, in the new shellac finish on my nails.  Boy am I happy I did!  I might be the last to know..... but this stuff in this color is amazing!  I'm a week in and not a single chip after traveling, unpacking, cleaning, moving furniture.... etc!

Oh, I hope the Swiss have this stuff.  I may be an official manicure convert now.  

Letting myself go......

...... I'm guilty.  And sadly, not in the positive "freeing" sense of the phrase.  More like... my dark roots are showing, I haven't purposefully broken a sweat in weeks, I've been using a shampoo that I got from a hotel because I haven't put forth the effort to actually purchase the right one for my hair, and I woke up to pimples on my face today (and believe me, I'm too old to be getting them!).  Ugh!  Now, I certainly know that looks aren't everything and an occasional bad hair day is no big deal.  But I also know that for me when I look crummy, I tend to feel that way too.  So, I'm proclaiming "enough is enough!"   What I need is a kick-start..... and I'm getting it this week.

First up:  The AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge.  Now, anyone who knows me knows that I am not a dieter.  I truly believe that everything in moderation and an active lifestyle is the only way to go for me.  BUT, a long-time friend of ours has started selling this stuff and asked if we'd (my husband and I) give it a try..... I have never done anything like this.  I'm definitely more about the clean eating to get myself back on track than the supplements, etc.  but I'll let you know how it goes.  The worst part..... No coffee!  Am I insane?!?  I hope not to find myself in this state too often.

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Next:  Sclerotherapy.  I'm having it done on Thursday.  I come from a family of fair skin which seems to work well on the face but on my legs..... not so much.  For the last several years I've noticed small spider veins creeping up on my legs and it's started to make me self-conscious when wearing shorts and bathing suits... so I'm having this procedure done with the hopes that I can manage this lovely development of aging with as much grace as possible.  (Don't worry, I'm not heading north with the needles quite yet!).  Anyone had this done?

and, lastly:  Lightening up.... in the figurative sense this time.  I seem to have gotten myself a little out of whack with our pending move and the "stuff" that comes up in everyday life and it's showing up in my body.  A fresh perspective is in order.  Life is good.  I am blessed.  I need to take time for myself (and time to make a hair appt.); tackle one project at a time and enjoy the ride......it might be a little hard without coffee.... but I'm gonna try!

How about you?  How do you get yourself out of a funk?  

Pretty In Pink

Visions of pink always seem to brighten my mood on a gray winter day........

now I'm off to see if I can cheer up my face with these...... :)

Lancome L'Absolu Rouge in Champagne

Nars blush in Orgasm

  

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Beauty: Cleansing

By request, I thought I'd share a couple more of my favorite beauty care products.

Bliss Fabulous Foaming face wash

By far; my favorite face wash of all time!  I'm one of those girls who needs the foaming sensation to feel like my face is really getting clean and this one does the trick.  It has a tad bit of exfoliant;  an amazingly refreshing smell; doesn't leave a residue and lasts forever because a little goes a long way.  If you are a dry skin girl like me; you'll appreciate the fact that it doesn't leave your skin feeling stripped of moisture either.  The products of choice for W Hotels; I'm like a giddy school girl when my husband brings home the samples from a business trip.  You can buy the full size at Sephora or online here.

 Olay ProX facial cleansing brush

And when I need a little extra cleansing and exfoliation a couple of times a week; I use this handy brush.  It works just as well as the Clairsonic (which I own as well) but for about $100 less it leaves my skin feeling smooth and refreshed.  You can find it at Target or online here.

What are your favorite beauty products?  Please do tell!    

Beauty Find

...... so, I'm not exactly a spring chicken anymore.  I have what they kindly refer to as "fine lines" on my forehead from what I like to think cheerful expressions I make over and over again versus irritated or stressed ones.  I'm not quite ready to invest in the "big guns" like Botox yet; but it does bother me enough to want to try and reduce their appearance (in addition to covering them up with my bangs).  My husband worked in beauty care for several years and I've tried lots of products (expensive and inexpensive) and these are what I've discovered work the best.

Olay Regenerist micro sculpting cream - I use this product in the evening after washing my face.  It's rich and creamy so a little goes a long way.

Olay Regenerist Filling and Sealing wrinkle treatment - I use this product before applying make-up in the morning.  The best way to describe it is to say it acts like spackle for your face making a smoother surface to apply foundation or powder.

The best part of these products (besides the obvious fact that they work) is that they are inexpensive as wrinkle creams go and you can find them at most grocery or drug stores.  They are also available online at drugstore.com.  

Do you have any wrinkle products you swear by?  If so, please do tell!