Sorry for the lack of posts! This week we have been moving into our new house. Moving is exhausting but it's pretty exciting to be in the new place.
Hope you're having a great weekend and happy Easter!
Sorry for the lack of posts! This week we have been moving into our new house. Moving is exhausting but it's pretty exciting to be in the new place. Hope you're having a great weekend and happy Easter!
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When the lovely folks at It Cosmetics asked me if I'd like to try out some of their products, I couldn't say yes fast enough! it Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Powder Brush$48.00 This 100% cruelty-free high quality synthetic brush is ultra-luxurious. The soft touch rubberized handle makes application easy and enjoyable. The ultra-high brush hair count makes for the most effective distribution of powder and an ultra-luxe feeling on the skin. This brush is definitely a luxury item! The brush itself is substantial, and has a nice weight to it. The large, rubberized handle makes it easy to grasp, although it makes it harder to fit in my brush jar. The cruelty-free bristles are so dense, and so incredibly soft... it's like rubbing bunnies on your face. But better. And less weird.
While the price tag is a bit high for my taste, it is a very good quality brush. There hasn't been any shedding, and I feel that it will last me a long time. It's really more of an investment piece than my usual brushes. Side notes: Scrangie noticed that this brush is nearly identical to the Tarte Airbrush Finish Bamboo Foundation Brush, which is only $32.00 (I have not personally compared the two brushes). But QVC frequently has value sets that includes this brush for less than the cost of the brush on its own! (For example: $42 for the Luxe Powder Brush and a bronzer). PROS:
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If you haven't tried an it Cosmetics brush yet, you need to. I'm definitely going to scan QVC for deals on it Cosmetics on a regular basis so add more brushes to my collection! Available at it Cosmetics and QVC. Lipgloss+Spandex rating: It's getting warmer, and than means it's time to get your skin fuzz and stubble free! Today, the fabulous Nicole from GirlRatesWorld wanted to share some great shaving tips with us.
5 Shaving Tips for Women with Sensitive Skin Shaving can be a nuisance when you suffer from sensitive skin. Any number of things can cause a reaction which could haunt your skin for weeks. Here are a five tips to make shaving easier for those with sensitive skin. 1. Shave at night Shaving at night gives your skin ample time to repair itself. Since you're heading to bed, your skin is not exposed to the things that typically irritate it: sun exposure, wind, friction. You should also wear little to no clothes after shaving. Newly shaved skin is very vulnerable. The less contact it has with clothing and other body parts the better. Shaving at night and wearing little clothing gives your skin the opportunity to breath and recuperate on its own terms. The results will be less irritation and faster healing times. 2. Exfoliate first Exfoliating is the removal of dead skin cells. Taking time to remove any dead skin cells before shaving will "level the playing field." Exfoliated skin is smoother which in turn will provide an ultra smooth surface for shaving. Let's imagine shaving a crocodile. No amount of shaving cream or any other lubricant will make a difference. The razor would struggle and the skin will become irritable. Now, picture shaving a latex balloon. It is the perfect canvas for the razor - smooth and rigid less. This is a good way to visualize the importance of exfoliating your skin before shaving. 3. Always use a lubricant Lubrication and shaving goes hand-in-hand. You need something to help ease the razor along. Shaving creams, conditioners, and even oils are great lubricants to use during shaving. The key is to apply it liberally over wet skin that has been exfoliated. Lubricants create a barrier between your skin and the razor. They also help reduce friction as you shave giving you a closer shave and protecting you from unnecessary nicks. Shave each area once. Shaving the same area over and over again will basically torture your skin. If you exfoliate first and use a good lubricant, you should not need to repeat. If lingering hairs become an issue, opt to tweeze them out until your next shaving session. 4. Always use a clean or new razor Personally, I prefer disposable shavers. They ensure a clean, sharp blade each time you shave. Older razors become dull. They are also plagued with dead skin and lubricant from prior uses. Eventually they can no longer give us the close shave we desire. As a result, you're tempted to repeat the same area. The result can be more irritation, nicks and razor bumps. 5. Shave in the direction of hair growth Always shave hair in the direction it grows. For example, the hair on your legs may grow downward. So you should run your razor in a downward motion. The same applies for when hair grows upward or even sideways. There are times when your hair is growing in multiple directions in a certain area. In this case, just take a little extra time to examine the area so you know when to change the razor's direction. For more beauty tips and tutorials like this, visit GirlRatesWorld.com. This year was the inaugural Hop Hop Half and 5k race. I'm typically a little nervous about new races, but this one was inexpensive, nearby, small (under 1500 runners total), flat, and scenic (along the river). AND came with a tech t-shirt, a medal, a mimosa, yummy snacks and egg decorating! It was just above freezing as the race started, but we did get a pic with the Easter bunny! My goals for this race were to beat my PR of 2:04, and finish under two hours. I started out a little fast but felt good for about the first nine miles, although I did start to slow my pace a bit. The last 4.1 miles were a bit tough since we were running into the wind, and I was tired. My hips and calves were getting a little tight.
It was the last mile that was the worst. I could see the finish line. I knew I was close to making my goal. But I suddenly got very very nauseous and had to throw up. I'd feel fine for a bit and then throw up again seconds later. I probably threw up about eight times during that last mile. I ended up finishing in 2 hours, and 15 seconds. Sixteen seconds too slow. I'm really, really disappointed. But the afterparty was fun (there was also free beer!) and I bought myself a cool sweatshirt because I was freezing and I felt like my PR/barfing fiasco warranted a souvenir. ;) Overall, it was a great race. It was well-organized, there were TONS of very helpful volunteers (a special thank you to all of the police officers!), and really fun. I'm already looking forward to next year! Readers, how was your weekend? Forty. Five. Shades. That's a lot. And if you love glittery and shimmery and sparkly polishes, you're going to freak out. Especially since they're less than four bucks a pop. Sooo... I want Crush on Lava, Little Hottie, and pretty much ALL of the Crystal Confetti, Glitteratzi and Candy Sprinkles colors. The bottles look smaller(?) but maybe they're taller and narrower? Still, at this price point, I'm pretty excited to see these in person. I received two press samples and will be posting reviews soon :)
Did you see any shades you like? Or do you avoid bling-tastic nail polish? This week has been exhausting, physically and mentally. So what better way to unwind/get wound up than catching up on my NCAA bracket? My office has a pool going and there's a whole lot of talking smack. It's fantastic.GO DUKE!!! This is my new wallet. It's Wonder Woman and glittery. I got it at Hot Topic, and my BFF Cari bought one too, so now we're wallet twinsies. Are you doing a bracket? Do you have any tips or tricks when it comes to moving/packing?
If you are anything like me, then you probably think that spray-on sunscreen is the greatest thing EVER. I love the stuff, and it's the only kind of sunscreen I can get my fiance to wear. So I was kind of intrigued by this new Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer. Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer - Total Moisture$7.99 for 6.5 oz. Vaseline® Spray & Go™ Moisturizer is a line of quick, convenient spray lotions that moisturize deeply and absorb in seconds. The revolutionary continuous spray-system dispenses lotion quickly and evenly for allover coverage. The unique formula includes Stratys-3™ multi-layer moisture so lotion absorbs into skin with a few quick rubs. Skin is instantly moisturized, not greasy or sticky. I don't really have a problem with any of my usual body creams getting onto my clothes, since they absorb fairly well also, so the tagline of "absorbs quickly so you can put your clothes right on" isn't really a selling point for me. I really like that this spray dispenses just the right amount of lotion. It's very easy to use, the container fits comfortably in my hand and the spray nozzle works well. It can even be "locked" to avoid accidental sprays, just by twisting the top! The formula is fantastic--it easily absorbs into the skin with just a bit of rubbing. My skin is pretty normal (not dry) and this keeps my legs well moisturized for a few hours. I don't particularly care for the scent of the product (but if you like Vaseline products, this is the same scent). I also really like that this is not an aerosol-propelled product--it uses canned air.
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Overall, I'd say it's a decent product, and I didn't have any issues with it, but it's just not something I need to use :) Lipgloss+Spandex rating: I've tried out several natural oils (coconut and argan oils) as well as a bunch of products that contain natural oils as ingredients. Guest blogger Sarah del Rosario is here to offer some info about five different natural oils, and what each of them can do for you and your hair:
Natural oils provide nutritional benefits not only to our body but to our hair as well. Here are some of the recommended natural oils that you should incorporate in your hair care regimen: • Coconut Oil. They call coconut as the tree of life and for a good reason! Every part of the coconut tree has amazing benefits for the humankind. In fact, this includes even its oil! The coconut oil is rich in vitamins and minerals that provides the hair with the nourishment it most needs. When you apply it to your hair, it helps in maintaining the moisture in your hair. As a result, your hair will not only look healthy, it will be soft too. Because of this, your hair will be more moisturizes, reducing the risk for dryness, split ends and hair breakages. It is recommended that you apply coconut oil to your hair every month. If you cannot find a pure coconut oil, try to make use of the hair conditioning and repair treatments that contains this natural oil. • Argan Oil. This natural oil is considered very special. Why is this so? This is because the only ones (all over the world) who are allowed to process the oil of the Argan tree are the Morocco women. This very precious natural oil can actually do great wonders to one's hair. When you apply this to your hair, you will see the difference right away. It will make your look a lot shinier, thicker and healthier. The best thing about this oil is that it can be applied to both dry and oily hair without making your hair look super greasy. • Emu Oil. When you apply this Omega 3-packed natural oil to your hair, it will surely feel a lot softer and shinier. In addition to that, it would also be a lot easier to manage. If you wish to tame down your frizzy hair, this is definitely the solution for you. If you are also having some problems with hair loss and growth, this will provide you the nutrients that your hair needs. Apply it together with Biotin vitamins. • Jojoba oil. If you are looking for moisture, that is what you can get from this natural oil. With Jojoba oil, you can say goodbye to tangles, frizz and poor hair texture. Any dry hair will surely be moisturized when you apply this. If you wish to make your hair look a lot fuller, take advantage of the oil's thickening power too. • Rosemary Oil. This is perfect for people who are having problems with dandruff. Its moisturizing effect can certainly get rid of any embarrassing flakes. All you need is to put on a few drops and voila, good bye dandruff! Another advantage of this oil is that it promotes hair growth. All the natural oils listed above will surely create great wonders for your hair. Although most of these oils are quite pricey, all you need is just a few drops. Because of this, a little bottle can surely go a long way! About the Author: Sarah del Rosario is a beauty and health blogger. Aside from writing, she is also fond of painting and DIY crafts. She currently partners with Hair Booth, one the the trusted online shops of L'oreal products. Just wanted to share my quick little St. Patty's Day FOTD and NOTD from yesterday! Fell asleep on the couch before posting, so they're a day late :P I know it's a little "out there," but that's what St. Patrick's Day is all about! And green beer. I received some press samples of bella by Violent Lips lip appliques in Shamrock: bella by Violent Lips in "Shamrock"$7.99 for two temporary lip appliques Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Style. Sport the Luck of the Irish with our Limited Edition Shamrock Lips by Violent Lips. Each package includes 2 Temporary Lip Appliques. I hate to say it... but I was really underwhelmed! I've never tried Violent Lips lip appliques before. They're super cute. But they're a little difficult to apply. I cut mine a little too small and had trouble getting the cardstock to line up on my lips correctly. They're basically temporary tattoos for your lips, which is theoretically an easy application process, but in actuality it's not quite that simple! And, unfortunately, the appliques on the top and bottom lip starting sticking to each other and tearing and splitting within minutes of application. Bummer. A little balm over the top would probably help next time. I'd still consider picking up a pair of these for a special event or a fun run, but I probably wouldn't buy these otherwise.
Lipgloss+Spandex rating: Please click over to QVC immediately and check out this kit. It's a STEAL, and it's only available TODAY, Monday, March 18th. It Cosmetics Hello Beautiful Anti-Aging 5-pc Color Collection$54.96 ($155 value!) Includes five full-sized products:
What is it: Hello Beautiful Anti-Aging 5-piece Color Collection gives you the power to achieve an airbrushed complexion, a gorgeous vitality-filled glow that lasts all day, plus beautiful lashes! |