I had a hankering for ice cream the other night. I'm somewhat lactose intolerant--I can have the real stuff, but it wreaks havoc on my tummy. I decided to peruse the frozen treats section to see if I could find any low/no-lactose goodies to satisfy me. | These Weight Watchers Frozen Greek Yogurt pops have only 80 calories per bar, and 5g protein! They didn't upset my tummy (Greek yogurt has less lactose than regular yogurt, and yogurt in general has less lactose than milk). It tasted creamy and a bit tangy at the same time--healthy but still like "real" food because there's plenty of FLAVOR going on. The swirl was overly concentrated in the middle of the bar, and the peach flavor was average. Basically, it tastes like peach yogurt. Also available in blueberry swirl. I would definitely try these again, especially if they came out with berry or pomegranate flavors (peach and blueberry are not my fave yogurt flavors...).
| This little pint was very disappointing. The texture is smooth and creamy (kind of like a more solid version of fro yo), but it's kind of grey in color, which isn't very appetizing. And then I took a bite... There wasn't a lot of sweetness, or flavor, or really anything else going on. It tasted like some science experiment diet food, not like real food AT ALL. I wanted to like this because of the low cal content, and the low lactose content, but it ended up going in the trash after a few spoonfuls. It's available in other flavors, like Chocolate Peanut Butter, but I'm done wasting my money on this product. Hungry Girl recommends it--maybe a different flavor would be better? | What are your favorite frozen treats? Are they high calorie or low calorie?
Click on any of the photos to jump over to my review on We Heart This! Left to right: MAC eyeshadow in Daydreaming, MAC lipstick in Sounds Like Noise, MAC nail polish in Riot Girl, MAC Mineralize SkinFinish in Lightscapade [photo from We Heart This] [photos from Marilyn @ Lipgloss+Spandex]
This spring, Hard Candy released 45 brand-spankin'-new shades of nail polish ( see them all here). I was very excited to receive a PR sample of Pixie Pink, which is part of the "Candy Sprinkles" collection/formula. $3.97 for 0.26 fl oz
Walmart and Walmart.com Suspended in a clear topcoat, shimmery flecks sparkle brilliantly with different shapes of tiny glitter. Candy Sprinkles is a fabulous top coat over any color. About the product: Hard Candy is re-establishing their presence as a brand with a wide array of colors and formulas, as demonstrated by their spring 2013 collection, particularly polishes. And this pretty pastel polish is so on trend! Product description (color/dupes): Pixie Pink is a pastel pink/lavender with pink, silver and teal hex glitter. Pixie Pink and the other Candy Sprinkles polishes from Hard Candy seem to be inspired by the Illamasqua Imperfection/Speckled collection and the Deborah Lippmann Staccato collection. Pigmentation/Application: One coat will give you a decent amount of glitter, but a very sheer milky wash of color that's a little streaky. It took about three coats to get it opaque/less streaky. Texture: It has a slightly gritty feel to it, due to the glitter. A little bit of Gelous and Seche Vite helps to smooth it out. Length of Wear: Unfortunately, this only lasted one day ( less than 24 hours) before it started chipping like crazy. Packaging: The packaging is pretty basic. Taller than your average polish, but a smaller base. Value: Four bucks is okay for a smaller than average bottle. Love it or leave it? The fact that it chips in less than 24 hours makes this polish a real bummer. I tried different base coats and top coats and just didn't have any luck. I LOVE LOVE LOVE how it looks, but I'm going to have to say leave it. Lipgloss+Spandex Rating:
Madd Style Cosmetics is a cruelty-free line of hand-made, richly pigmented vegan cosmetics for animal lovers, glitter junkies, and everyone in between. From "Classic Chic" to "Bold and Unique", we strive to give you "Madd Style".
Madd Style Cosmetics loose shadow $5.00 for approximately 1.2 g (sifter jars are filled by volume, not weight) - Poison Berry: shimmery royal navy blue with *lots* of aqua sparkle.
A little underwhelming when used dry, but intense and gorgeous when used wet. - Golightly: pale baby blue tone with color-shifting rainbow shimmer.
Subtle, a nice highlight or sheer lid color - Vortex: navy blue with a green iridescence and pink glitz.
I felt that this was more of a darkened teal than navy color. Really pretty. - Andraste's Grace: beautiful sky blue with a snowy shimmer.
A pretty, bright color when used dry or wet.
As with all of Madd Style Cosmetics' loose eyeshadows, the textures of these are smooth and the length of wear is good. The packaging is a small cute sifter jar. I LOVE these gorgeous blues. Poison Berry and Vortex really showcase how pretty indie loose shadows can be! Lipgloss+Spandex rating:
Madd Style Cosmetics is a cruelty-free line of hand-made, richly pigmented vegan cosmetics for animal lovers, glitter junkies, and everyone in between. From "Classic Chic" to "Bold and Unique", we strive to give you "Madd Style".
Madd Style Cosmetics loose shadow $5.00 for approximately 1.2 g (sifter jars are filled by volume, not weight) - Desert Punk: a shimmery silver-brown that seems to change its color in the sun.
A good basic neutral shimmery/frosty shade. Good when you just want to sweep a single shade over your eyes to look more awake! - Mystery Meat: a shimmery brown with a blue duo-chrome. Is it brown? Is it blue? Is it purple? Yes.
The duo-chrome makes this a really hard to describe color! It's so pretty/weird! - Birf'day Suit: a light toned matte nude.
A great basic matte for lids or browbone, depending on your skintone. Very subtle.
As with all of Madd Style Cosmetics' loose eyeshadows, the textures of these are smooth and the length of wear is good. The packaging is a small cute sifter jar. Desert Punk and Birf-day Suit are pretty basic shades (they might bore true indie makeup lovers), but they're done well. Mystery Meat is a really fun color to add a little bit of interest to your eye makeup look. It's versatile--you could probably downplay it for work, or go wild for a night out. These Madd Style Cosmetics browns are good stuff. Lipgloss+Spandex rating:
Madd Style Cosmetics is a cruelty-free line of hand-made, richly pigmented vegan cosmetics for animal lovers, glitter junkies, and everyone in between. From "Classic Chic" to "Bold and Unique", we strive to give you "Madd Style".
Madd Style Cosmetics loose shadow $5.00 for approximately 1.2 g (sifter jars are filled by volume, not weight) - Psychobilly Freakout: eye-catching green filled with aqua sparkle.
Bright with sparkle when used wet, and even better when used wet! - Misfits & Moonbeams: black base with green and blue overlaying hues & TONS of green glitz.
Subtle when used dry, but gorgeous metallic darkened teal when used wet. - Pisces: light aquamarine with a warm gold duo chrome
It looks seafoam green in the pot, but is a silvery blue with gold shift. Gorgeous. - Final Fantasy: soft grey with a heavy gold duo chrome that changes from grey to gold to green depending on the light
A great neutral but better shade.
As with all of Madd Style Cosmetics' loose eyeshadows, the textures of these are smooth and the length of wear is good. The packaging is a small cute sifter jar. I LOVE Madd Style Cosmetics--they really do indie loose shadows to the MAX. The greenish shades are especially lovely. All of four of these were quite pigmented even when used dry. Lipgloss+Spandex rating:
Even though it's 2013, people (advertisers in particular) don't seem to know how to address strong, beautiful women. If a woman doesn't meet the cultural (but unrealistic and unhealthy) ideal of a thin, tall, fashionable, waif-like model, she's told that she need to change so that she's more perfect and more desirable, even if they are currently healthy and fit and beautiful. How would you feel in the following situations?Situation #1: How would you feel if you're working out at the gym and a guy comments on your appearance? Maybe something like, "You look hot in those workout clothes." While a little flattered, it makes me feel a little uncomfortable and objectified. My purpose at the gym is to get my workout in, not to be eye candy. Situation #2: How would you feel if you're running a race, and a spectator yells, "Lookin' good! Keep it up! You're doing great!"? This makes me feel GREAT. While I know I'm sweaty and huffing and puffing, and it's not "sexy," neither I nor the spectator think I'm out there to put on a show. It's encouraging to feel that my effort is acknowledged, respected, maybe even admired. Now let's take a look at two advertisements:Advertisement #1: The Bare Minerals #GoBare campaign (I first read about it yesterday, on TheGloss). Some local DC frat boys held up some signs at the Nike's Women Marathon DC: Like Situation #1 with the guy at the gym, the Bare Minerals' ad campaign suggests that it is necessary or desirable for women to have male approval regarding their workout and their workout clothes. That's a little degrading, isn't it?
Advertisement #2
One of four print ads from Nike's 2011 campaign. These Nike ads celebrate women who are healthy and fit, and tell all of the haters that they can shove it--these strong badass ladies don't need your approval. Like Situation #2, you're being encouraged for your effort, for what you can DO, for going out there and kicking ass (no matter what place you're finishing).
I know that ads are meant to sell product, but that profit shouldn't come at the price of someone's self-esteem. I think it's important to tell companies when they're being out of line, and I feel that Bare Minerals needs to go back to it's core principles.
Readers--what do you think? Was the Bare Minerals campaign cute, or disrespectful?
Quick and Simple Makeup Tips for Spring These days, many people rely on plastic surgery to improve their looks, but it’s amazing what a touch of makeup can do! If lead a busy lifestyle, you might not have hours to spend in front of the mirror, so how can you perfect your appearance in a flash this season? Use a tinted moisturizer
With so much to do on a daily basis, it can be easy to slap on a bit of concealer and run out the door. This could leave you with ugly brown streaks and clumpy patches if you’re not careful, so why not invest in some tinted moisturizer instead? There are a variety of products available on the market these days, but the right cream will even out your skin tone and disguise your flaws! It’s quick and easy to apply and can be mixed with your original foundation for a more natural effect. Make the most of mascara If you have little ones to wash, feed and dress before leaving the house, you might not have time for a full makeover. Every minute counts in the mornings, so reduce your stress levels by brushing some neutral eye shadow over your lids (lighter colours require slightly less accuracy) and finish with some extra volume mascara ( Lipgloss+Spandex loves Urban Decay Naked palettes 1 & 2, and the Naked Basics palette; Essence get BIG! lashes mascara). This will help you look more awake in seconds and ensure your lashes look as good as they can for that business meeting or working lunch. Sharpen that eyeliner
A blunt eyeliner pencil is both scratchy and time consuming to apply. The product won’t glide on accurately and you could end up with blotchy, irritated eyes for no reason. To avoid this, make sure the pencil is nice and sharp before gently moving it underneath your waterline ( Lipgloss+Spandex loves Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner pencils). If you prefer liquid liner, dab the applicator onto a bit of tissue to remove excess product and rest your elbow on a table to steady your hand. Keep wet wipes nearby in case you make a mistake and you should be good to go in no time! Bring your cheeks to life If you’ve been feeling a little run down over the winter months, a bit of blusher will help bring your face to life. While many makeup artists use two different shades to help slim down the face, a single colour can be just effective if used properly. Always find a product to complement your skin tone and apply in natural light to avoid a makeup faux pas. Suck in your lips to highlight your cheekbones and use a high quality blusher brush for a smooth application ( Lipgloss+Spandex recommends It Cosmetics Matte Sweet Apple blush and french boutique blush brush). Brighten up your lips If you don’t get round to applying eye shadow or concealer – fear not! It’s amazing what a bit of lipstick can do, so keep your favourite shade nearby and use it to brighten up your lips. Bright reds are ideal for spring 2013, but if you don’t feel comfortable wearing them, stick to more subtle shades. Alternatively, apply a little lip gloss in the mornings to perfect your pout and keep it in your bag to use throughout the day ( Lipgloss+Spandex loves MAC Lipglass).
Madd Style Cosmetics is a cruelty-free line of hand-made, richly pigmented vegan cosmetics for animal lovers, glitter junkies, and everyone in between. From "Classic Chic" to "Bold and Unique", we strive to give you "Madd Style".
Dry + Wet swatches of each of the four colors
Madd Style Cosmetics loose shadows $5.00 for approximately 1.2 g (sifter jars are filled by volume, not weight) - Pixie: shimmery lilac with sparkles.
Pretty, but a common color other than the glitter. - Kitty Wumpous: black with jewel-toned purple and royal blue glitz.
A little sheer when used dry, but packed with sparkle and pigment when used wet! - Phantasm: purple with a pink iridescence filled with lots of rainbow glitz and silver holographic glitter.
This is a really fun shade of purple! It has a nice complexity to it. - Grape Fizz: dark grape purple with multicolored shimmer.
A basic shade of purple other than the glitter.
As with all of Madd Style Cosmetics' loose eyeshadows, the textures of these are smooth and the length of wear is good. The packaging is a small cute sifter jar. These are pretty shades, but compared to the complexity and depth found in their green shadows, the purples are a little underwhelming. They're still great shadows, they're just not MSC's strongest offering. Lipgloss+Spandex rating:
Michelle Pino offered to write a guest post for you, Lipgloss+Spandex readers! Since we're a third of the way through the year, it's a good time to check in on our goals and resolutions and make adjustments as needed so we can be healthier and happier.
A healthy and balanced life can be very simple to attain. All you need are a few guidelines; you can fill in the details with your own preferences. It's easy to start a program, but hard to make lifestyle changes stick over time, and the key to persisting with any healthy lifestyle is balance. Whether you want to eat more organic food, start exercising daily or just master a new hobby, an inspiration board can help you figure out those goals and fine tune what makes you tick so that you stay focused on getting your health together.
Dangers of Dieting
The world of diets can be confusing and misleading. Everyone is trying to sell a different scheme, all for the purpose of separating you from your hard-earned money. The worst thing about diets is that they can be unhealthy, especially because everyone’s body is different. The answer is to simply go back to the basics. Opt for healthy options that give your body more energy.
Exercise
The human body was designed to move, so move it. This doesn't suggest that a person needs to run for 10 miles every day or lift weights for hours on end. Just get outside and do the things you like to do. Whether it’s gardening or biking, if it makes you happy: go for it! Take a walk in the park with a friend. Plant a garden in the backyard. Play some tennis a couple of times a week. Find an active hobby that you love to do and stick with it. Excessive exercise has not been shown to improve longevity; it only increases the odds of getting injured.
Friends and Family
Stress is one of the most contributory factors to aging and poor health. Assuming your family is a source of enjoyment and comfort, spend more time with them! Play games, take trips, and engage in any other activities that are enjoyable for everyone involved. Friends can be even better; after all, we didn't choose our parents, siblings, cousins, etc. Spend time with friends that really add happiness to your life.
Don't Ignore Your Mind
We've already covered friends, family, and hobbies, but consider doing something specific for your sense of well-being on a regular basis. This might be attending church on a regular basis. For others, it might be a yoga class or time spent in meditation. Don't ignore this aspect of a healthy and balanced life.
Having a healthy and balanced mind and body does not require an extreme diet or an extreme exercise program. Take care of the basics and fill in the details with your own preferences. You already know what foods are healthy. You already know what people and activities contribute to your sense of well-being. Take a few steps today and build on them.
An inspiration board that focuses on your goals can help keep you on track! Here's my example board, which highlights my goals of 1) enjoying exercise outdoors, 2) protecting myself from UV rays, 3) stretch, and 4) healthy eating.
The warm weather and plants in bloom has me inspired to start enjoy the outdoors. Green is everywhere this time of year, and it’s a great color to be inspired by. Personally, I am not trying to run a marathon; I just want to live a healthy balanced life. It is important to do what makes you feel good. So if walking and bike riding is your thing, go for it! Golf is a great example. I’ve been taking lessons at Kaluhyat a Syracuse golf course near my work, as a way to stay active outside. Doing the same old boring routine, is an easy way to lose motivation and “fall off the wagon”. Enjoy the outdoors and go for a walk. To me, there’s no better feeling than enjoying the outdoors and the reason for being the focus of my inspiration board. Part of my own initiative to live a healthier lifestyle is to take better care of my body. As I get older I’m learning better ways to protect myself from harmful UV rays, unlike when I was younger and would sunbathe with baby oil. Yikes! Problem is, I love the sun: to compromise, I bought a pair of sunglasses that protects against UVA & UVB rays (similar to the one pictured from Style Bop) to help shield my eyes. Wearing sunglasses can help prevent sun damage to your eyes that could cause cataracts. From my work experience, I’ve learned that anytime you’re increasing your physical activity, it’s important to stretch your muscles to lengthen and strengthen them. Simple yoga poses are simple stretches that can be done in the comfort of your own home. There are a lot of great resources on the internet for beginner yoga ( www.DoYogaWithMe.com has great free yoga videos, searchable by yoga type, length of video, and difficulty! ~Marilyn). The biggest change in creating a healthy balance is improving what we eat. Smoothies make for an easy on-the-go breakfast for those hectic mornings trying to get the family out the door. Smoothies are great because of their versatility: customize the ingredients you use to meet your taste buds or whatever supplies are in the refrigerator. It’s important to remember that your body needs nutritious foods as fuel for when you exercise. Let your creativity flow! The visual boards can also assist in planning baby showers, birthday parties, and maybe even your next vacation. What would your Fitspiration board look like? photo credit: Protein Smoothie| Fruit Skewers | Sunglasses| Golf Course | Beach Yoga
|
