A Beautiful Basic

After trying a few other shades this summer, I'm back to my beautiful basic - Bobbi Brown Creme Shadow in Sand Dollar.  This creamy, creaseless, long-lasting shadow is one of my make-up staples and Sand Dollar is a great neutral color.  It's not too light, not too dark, and rather than looking made-up, I just look "finished".  

Thanks to Maggie for this Pearl!

 I have to give credit to my stylish niece, Maggie, for this favorite Pearl.  A few years ago at our Christmas "Favorite Things" exchange, she gave each of us gals one of these - Lash Blast Mascara by Cover Girl - and it has been one of my favorite things ever since!  Thicker lashes without the ugly raccoon eyes I get from some brands.  I do buy department store cosmetics, but when it comes to mascara, drugstore lines are the way to go.  Why pay over $20 for mascara when you have to replace it every few months anyway?  And this mascara is the best I've found - well it was, until.....

Cover Girl came out with a new hybrid - Lash Blast Fusion - for volume and length.  Now my scraggly little lashes can be thicker and longer, and still without the ugly raccoon eyes.  Thanks, Maggie, for this pearl!


PS  I've added a "Follower" tab off to the side, but so far, I only have one Follower (and that's my mom!), so if you are a regular reader, I would love you to make it official and add yourself as a Follower, too!

This time the "Beauty Experts" got it right!

I've become a bit suspicious of the "Best of Beauty..." lists that are compiled by various magazines.  Year after year Maybelline Great Lash Mascara appears on these lists, and the couple of times I have tried it have been a major disappointment.  But after seeing Essie "Mademoiselle" in several lists and articles over the last month or two, I decided to give it a try.  What a nice surprise! Mademoiselle is a soft sheer pink that really does go with everything.  Not too white, not too peachy.  Classic.  And unlike darker nail polish, any little nicks and chips are not very noticeable. (Yeah!)

Soft Skin ~ Soft Scent

It's like magic!  Add a capful or two of Boots Bath Oil in Rose and Lavender added to your bath, soak for a few minutes, and you will have the softest and sweetest-smelling skin.  Don't be scared away by this if you are not a big floral fan, the rose and lavender scent is light and refreshing.  As an added bonus, it comes in such a pretty bottle!  Target carries the Boots line of products.

Lime, Basil & Mandarin

No, not a recipe for a new Thai favorite, but one of my favorite scents ~ Lime, Basil, Mandarin from Jo Malone.  A hint of citrus, a bit of herbal; not too heavy, somehow just right.  Fresh.

Pretty Pins....

Yes, these are bobby pins and that might seem a little dull, but let me explain what makes these special.  These bobby pins are a bit longer, a bit stronger, and have a cute ruffled look.  Plus, they come in different colors to match, or contrast, with your hair color.  I picked up a package of the blond collection at Walmart last week and have been wearing them almost every day since then - to control a stray curl or keep the bangs out of my eyes during a tennis match.  Excellent hold and a bit of metallic sparkle.  I really like them.

Shine & Define

Aveda Brilliant Humectant Pomade ~ Just a dab of this is all you need to define your curls and add some shine. Rub a little between your palms and apply to styled hair. It leaves hair soft, shiny, and with a touch of an amazing, fresh, clean scent.

Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss Trio

This is my all-time favorite lip gloss - Bobbi Brown Lip Tint. I love the hint of mint flavor, the beautiful colors, the SPF 15 protection and the easy, discreet application (No Messy Wand!). Now you can get a special holiday gift set - 3 lips tints for $28 - a steal as a single tube is around $17-18. And the colors are beautiful ~ Cherry ~ a sheer red; Blossom ~ a soft pink that I think I might save until spring; and Twilight Shimmer ~ a pretty neutral. You can find Bobbi Brown cosmetic counters at Nordstrom or Saks, or order direct from their website.

Ahhhhh! Love this! Aveda Foot Relief. It smells fantastic. It's not greasy. It refreshes and moisturizes and helps keep your feet soft and smooth. I make this a regular part of my evening routine. And it's even better if someone you love uses it as part of a foot massage. Ahhhh....
Available at Aveda salons.

Double Duty Face Cloths
I started out using Pond's Clean Sweep towelettes just when I traveled or I got home late and was too tired for the full face routine. But, now I use these all the time. They are pre-moistened with a gently bumpy side and a smooth side. The bumps give mild exfolliation, and the smooth side is great for taking off every last little bit of eye makeup. You only need this with a little moisturizer and you are all set for the night. No messy mirrors, no soap in your eyes, no extra steps, no cotton ball fuzz or whatever. And when you're done with your face, use the cloth to take a quick swipe around the sink to keep it fresh and clean, too.

Cuckoo for Coconuts!

Like the funny little rabbit who is "cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs", the last few months I have been "Cuckoo for Coconuts". Usually, I go for the citrus or herbal scents - nothing too fruity or floral, but lately, I have been loving coconut scented products. I'm not sure what triggered this sudden change - maybe I'm just in a hurry for the lazy days of summer and the memory of the coconut-scented sunscreen or longing for a tropical vacation. My two new favorites are Suave Tropical Coconut Body Wash (a light coconut scent with a little citrus zing - and it's cheap, too!) and The Body Shop's Coconut Body Butter (rich and luxurious - but a little more money - $20 for the larger tub). Hmm, all of the sudden I am craving an Almond Joy....

Pinch Me, I Must Be Dreaming!

A self-tanner that works instantly, dries fast, does NOT stink, and does NOT turn your legs a freaky shade of orange?! I know it seems like a dream, but this stuff is for real - St Tropez Whipped Bronze self-tanning mousse. I had heard about it a few times but couldn't find it in a store so I ordered some from Amazon. It's about $20 for 4oz - not a steal, but worth every penny. I'm going up to my bathroom right now to throw away all the other tanners I've tried - those stinky lotions that stain your sheets and have you wrinkling up your nose all day. This is the best - and now I'm already for spring break!

A Perfect Pair ~ like salt & pepper or peanut butter & jelly ~ Bobbi Brown Gel Liner & Aveda Flax Sticks #4 Eye Definer Brush

I have used and loved the gel liner for years, but the brushes have frustrated me. The Bobbi Brown brush was too thick, the liner brush from Sephora was too thin and long and flimsy bristled.... Then one day, as I was waiting on my daughter to finish her appointment at the salon, I came across the Aveda brush display and ta-da, there it was, the perfect gel liner brush ~ not too thick, not too thin, not too long, not too short. It works perfectly with the gel liner ~ another perfect pair~