L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Clear Self-Tanning Gel, Medium Natural

I've only used this one day (multiple times), but I think I am ready to review. The color is very nice--it is a natural-looking beige-shade on me. I love the fragrance, I can't describe it, but it isn't like coconut tanning lotion. It is not cloying at all, and it smells a bit like a man's cologne, which I don't mind. The application is fool-proof, unless you are like me & you leave some droplets un-smoothed, in which case you'll end up with what looks like little brown liver spots, and they don't scrub off easily. I also used this on my face, even though it is for the body. No breakouts, so far. I bought mine on Amazon, and saved by subscribing.

I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars, taking one off because it does take several applications to build up a darker color, but I am Morticia pale, so it even takes to sun months to darken me.
Would I recommend? Yes.
Would I buy again? Yes, I think I have my subscription set to every 3 months. :-D

Essence Gel Eyeliner

Why didn't I order that from Ulta? It has 16 Makeupalley reviews and is rated as 100% Would Buy Again. It is only $3.49, and comes in two colors, Midnight in Paris, and London Baby. It gets high marks for staying power, and for being smudge proof. It is 4.8 out of 5 stars. The next time I order from Ulta, I think I'll give this a shot...

I need an intervention

an intervention to stop me from shopping. I hadn't planned on buying any more beauty-related items until spring, because I want to go on vacation and need to start saving, but I've bought something nearly every day. Or at least every week. So far, in January, I've bought:

Morticia's Nails (haven't used it yet, my hands are a mess because I've actually been cleaning my house the past few weeks)

L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Clear Self-Tanning Gel, Medium Natural ( a Cat Marnell recommendation @ xojane.com)

Arm & Hammer Whitening Booster (another Cat Marnell recommendation)

Tree Hut Body Scrub, Vanilla Spice (ditto, but she uses another scent, the coconut lime, IIRC)

Deep Steep Lavender Chamomile Honey Bubble Bath (I wanted to love this, but it does not make a lot of bubbles--maybe I didn't use enough??? It is as thick as honey, and smells quite good)

From Sephora--I had a free shipping with any purchase--I ordered:

Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar - 2.5 oz Indian Coconut Nectar Body Butter 1295989 $5.00 1 $5.00
Sample - Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline Eau de Toilette - 0.05 oz 1254234 $0.00 1 $0.00
Sample - Chloé Eau de Parfum - 0.04 oz 1371749 $0.00 1 $0.00
Sample - Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Facial Cleanser - 0.17 oz 1345701 $0.00 1 $0.00

total $5.47--I mostly ordered to get the Clarins cleanser sample.



Just now, I took advantage of the Ulta free shipping code, and ordered:


Oil Treatment 10% Glycolic AHA
by Alpha Hydrox $8.99

Enhanced Lotion 10% Glycolic AHA Anti-Wrinkle
by Alpha Hydrox $8.99

Trial Size Body Mist (buy 2 get 1 free)
by Bodycology
Vanilla Cupcake
$1.99

Trial Size Body Mist
by Bodycology
Brown Sugar Vanilla
$1.99

Trial Size Body Mist
by Bodycology
Island Coconut
FREE

Colour & Go Nail Polish
by Essence
Wake Up! 46
$0.99

Liquid Eyeliner in Black
by Essence
$1.19

Colour & Go Nail Polish
by Essence
Space Queen 04
$0.99

ABBA Pure Moisture Shampoo Sample - .25 oz./7.4 ml
by Abba
$0.00

Exuviance Brightening Bionic Eye Crème - .07 oz.
by Exuviance
$0.00

Garnier Triple Nutrition Shampoo Duo
by Garnier
$0.00

total $27.59.


I think everything totals less than $50, which is more than I used to spend, but I'm tired of being thrifty and having a bare bones routine. I keep telling myself, you are employing a lot of people--people to make the things, to ship the things, to sell the things, to deliver the things, and on and on, and it is a good deal if you think of it that way. :-D

diy salt spray

From Glamour.com--I'm actually going to try this. You mix sea salt with water, add some coconut-scented conditioner, some hair gel, and put it all in a spray bottle. I'm wanting to revamp my look for Spring--I've even bought a sunless tanner. I've always avoided tanners & tanning, but I'm so pale I actually glow in the sun, so I try to keep everything covered, except for my forearms. I don't want to look tanned, really, just a little less pale. I want to revamp my look, and I think beachy hair will be a nice change. The full salt spray how-to is here.

Jill's Steals and Deals

Hip2Save has Jill Martin's TODAY Show deals listed--this week it features a $335 Hayley Starr Wrap Dress for $59. The dress is very pretty and can be worn 30 different ways. Another deal is the Number 4 Hair Care Collection for $29 ( a $129 value). My favorite is Cuore & Pelle’s Mirella Satchel, which is $75 but a $385 value. None of these prices include shipping, and the TODAY Show codes are required. Click here for the full list and links.

Blaze Management Agency – On Location $39 for Six-Hour Hair-and-Makeup Course with Makeup Goody Bag ($495 Value)

Groupon is offering a 6 hour makeup course at Blaze Management in Chicago. At $39 it is a 92% discount. I'd love to take them up on this offer, but it expires on the 23rd of January (I assume that means you have until then to take the course, not just book it), and my vacation won't be until April. The goody bag isn't impressive-- only 4 items and it is all Rimmel and Maybelline. They've sold almost 200 of these classes, I was thisclose to ordering before I noticed the January 23rd date. :-(


If you take the course, you'll have to bring:

COTTON BUDS
Facial wipes/cotton wool
Cleanser
Toner
Eye cream
Bronzer (2 or 3 shades darker than skin colour)
Foundation (the colour of the skin, check against the face and the neck so it balances up)
Concealer
Powder (loose is more mattifying but can be compact)
Eye shadow (the same colour as the skin to use as a eyes shadow base and to help with blending)
Eye shadows (2 more contrasting colours to be able to give a 3D effect to the eye- one darker)
Eye Pencil (softer the better so not to drag the eye)
Mascara
Blusher (cream or powder (powder is good for oily skin) cream is also good for dry skin as it hydrates but can be either)
Lipliner
Lipstick
Sharpener (very important)

BRUSHES
Foundation brush/sponge
2 or 3 eye shadow brushes different widths, powder brush, concealer brush,
(can be artificial hairs may be easier to use with cream concealer)
Blusher brush
Lip brush
Slanted eyebrow brush
Eyeliner brush
Eyelash comb

HAIR THINGS
Pintail comb (metal end is good)
Hairbrush
Hair grips/pins
Tongs/Straighteners (if you would like to do curls, if not don’t worry about these)
Lacquer for curls

I was thinking, I don't own have half of that stuff, then I re-read the list and I realized, I do. I think I have it all except a foundation brush, face wipes, toner, and a makeup remover. I wonder if this means I'm high maintenance...hmmm

say awwwww

I bought a new ring:

From eBay, it was around a dollar. Hasn't arrived yet, it is coming from Hong Kong. The $1 eBay jewelry thing is hit-or-miss, some things look better online...

My next jewelry purchase will be this:

It is about $3.50.


My last purchase was a BCBGeneration zipper cuff--in fuchsia:

You can still buy them here, but I bought mine on clearance at Belk.

I actually bought it and a green one for my 14 year old cousin's Christmas (I also got her a Tokidoki Sodashop Palette), but after I saw them in person I had to have one for myself (I was also tempted to keep the Tokidoki). At Thanksgiving, she saw me wearing my fuchsia bracelet and asked about it, hinting for it. When I gave her hers she said if that had been her only gift it would have been plenty. Part of me thinks I shouldn't be wearing what a 14 year old likes, the other part of me tells that part to shut up.

oluv fresh olive leaf body scrub

Just finished off my little pot of Oluv's Body Scrub. Sad to see it go. It is a heavy-duty scrub, and leaves you covered in a layer of olive oil, and in what looks like spices, but, once you wipe all that away, the skin underneath is like buttah. I'm not a fan of olive oil--I tried it many moons ago as a bath & body oil and ended up having to throw away all my sheets and towels because they smelled like grease and the smell would not wash away. I had a similar experience with food grade grape seed oil, but only had to throw away 2 sheets after using it as body oil. I have a jar of pure coconut oil in my cabinet, I don't use it much, because it liquefies instantly and has to be wiped off. Maybe I'll use it as a pre-bath treatment. Everyone raves about coconut oil, for cooking and for wearing, so I should use it more than I do.

I don't like smelling like old potholders, so whatever benefits pure olive oil produces will never be mine. The Oluv scrub has a faint olive-y smell, but I avoid olive stuff like the plague (even shampoos and soaps). It is $22 for a 4oz jar, it is vegan, and I do recommend it, if you aren't olive-phobic like I am.

DERMAdoctor Photodynamic Therapy, and random chatter

I consider this to be my gateway drug into the world of expensive beauty products. I was strictly a drugstore cowgirl as far as my beauty routine went, and I never had much luck with anything from there. At 24, Retin-a cleared my skin and that lasted for years until I started using things like Queen Helene's Mint Julep Mask, Neutrogena's 60 Second Scrub/Mask, and St. Ives Apricot Scrub, not to mention things like aspirin masks. My skin looked worse than it ever had, Retin-a be dammed, even it couldn't stop the chaos. I finally caught on that is was the anti-acne stuff causing my breakouts and quit everything cold turkey. I started using only grapeseed oil and sunblock. Then only sunblock, because I'm quite lazy. Fast forward 4-5 years to 2011, when I received a little jar of Dermadoctor's Photodynamic Therapy from Sephora. Oh, let me tell you, it was like a miracle. A lotion I could actually use on my face?! I managed to get a total of 3 sample jars from Sephora, because I always chose it as my $25 deluxe sample. I'd still choose it if they were still offering it. I have one jar left, and I use it sparingly, mostly under my sunblock, or when my face is chapped from doing a Retin-a peel. The full-size is $85. It is so velvety, I could lick it out of the jar it looks so yummy. My skin never glowed before, never looked dewy, not until I started using this. I didn't stop with Photodynamic Therapy though, I tried other things-- Ole Henriksen Pure Perfection, Peter Thomas Roth Laser-Free Resurfacer, DDF Amplifying Elixir, Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair. Had great success with them all--no breakouts at all. I looked awfully jowly before I started my eclectic regime (I'll be 40 this year), and I can see a big difference in my before & after photos. I use them all in conjunction with Retin-a, so I don't know what is doing the lifting, or if it is a combination of everything. My next adventure will be Clarins Bright Plus HP Intensive Brightening Mask:

Can't find very many in-depth reviews though. :-( It is $32.50 for 8 tubes. The claims:

Smoothes skin's texture and leaves incredibly bright with a beautiful matte finish.

- Diminishes existing dark spots and helps slow the source of production of melanin.

- Soothes stressed skin and restores comfort. After 4 weeks use: 97% of women reported brighter skin. 97% of women reported more luminous skin.

Oh--I just ordered a full-size tube of the Clarins cleanser that I liked. Big splurge--$20. But, I ordered a jacket from Macy's before Christmas, didn't like it, wanted to return it, hated losing my shipping, and maybe a restocking fee, so I exchanged the twenty-some-odd dollar jacket for the Clarins cleanser. So it is like getting it for free, except it will end up costing about $35. Oy, I'm dumb....

baby wigs

Cuz yer never too young to dislike the way God made you. My self-loathing didn't start until puberty, and all I can think is what progress I could have made if I'd started 12 years earlier.

A little self improvement never hurts, right? Bald babies are a thing of the past! They are so 2011! For $3.59 you can hide your baby's shame with these charming wig bands. According to the listing, 42 people have taken the plunge into baby wigs, or, in this case, baby sideburns. What are you waiting for? Perfect shower gift--get this and a jumbo jar of stretch mark cream for the mommy, and they'll know how much you truly care.

$3.50 off a $10 purchase at Ulta

Found this code at Nouveau Cheap. The code is 62548, if you are using it online. They also have free shipping with a $25 purchase, that code is SHIPJAN12.

awwww...so pretty

Very Bridesmaid Pippa, but even better...



I always went the half-up 'do route on job interviews, because I never liked cutting my hair, and I'm not crazy enough about my face to wear a chignon. My hair doesn't tease well, so I'm debating a Bumpit, but my hair is fine, and I don't know how well I can hide it. I have an antique hair receiver, and collected my hair and planned to make a rat, but I never got around to it. They have some cheapie foam rats on eBay, they are usually .99 with free shipping, maybe I'll give those a shot.

E.L.F 32 Color Eyeshadow Palette $2.13 w/free shipping

Found on Hip2Save. The palette, from Target, is $2.37 with free shipping, and there is a 10% off code, TGTHTT5Z, making the final price $2.13.

bathtub full of...

heaven. That is what you get by mixing Philosophy's Have a Cherry Christmas with Yves Rocher's Florida Orange.

Bubbles galore. The Cherry Christmas bubbles are pinky red on the skin...I'm as soft as silk, no lotion required.

Oh, I also bought a new shower curtain, I bought the
Titanic Shower Curtain, and recommend it highly. My cat recommends it too, because he bit the daylights of it the first week. He never bothered the last one. The one that was $2.00 from the Dollar Store or Walmart, or wherever I bought it.. Pity.

Sephora Code TRY14

Just checked the GWP Addict coupon page and found a new Sephora code---TRY14, You get 14 sample packets with a $25 purchase.

Detailed info:

Receive a Skincare Sample Bag featuring the following 14 samples: Kate Somerville Oil Free Moisturizer, Algenist Firming & Lifting Cream, Boscia B.B. Cream SPF 27 PA++, Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, Nude Cleansing Facial Oil, First Aid Beauty 5 in 1 Cream, PerriconeMD Cold Plasma Face, Lancome Visionnaire Advanced Skin Corrector, Philosophy The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash, Murad Essential-C Eye Cream SPF 15, Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Eye Treatment, Korres Pomegranate Mattifying Treatment, Sephora Collection Age Defy Moisture Cream SPF 15, and Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Purifying Facial Cleanser and Purely Nourishing Moisturizer duo, free with any online merchandise purchase of $25 USD or more. While supplies last. Available to US clients only.

Nice variety, no?

Favorite Youtube Tutorials

A few of my current favorites...

eye pencil swatches

My entire collection, 5 total. They are Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen in No. 2 Black Blue. This one I've reviewed before, and didn't particularly like it. The swatch does not capture how pretty the color is though, it looks dark blue in person. The second is a GWP from Estee Lauder, it is the Double Wear Stay In Place Eye Pencil in 01 Onyx. I really like this pencil, it goes on smoothly and is non-irritating. The third is sooooo old, at least 15 years. It is from Merle Norman, and I don't think they make it anymore, but I still use it. The color is called Black Olive, and it is very flattering to my dark green/hazely eyes, so I always used it as eye shadow. I didn't wear it very often, which is why I still have it. The other two are by Urban Decay--they are the 24/7 pencils in Whiskey (dark brown), and Zero (black). I like them both, but I use Whiskey the most. They are all on the back of my hand, and they aren't budging, except for the Merle Norman, and it smudged right off. Oddly, the Pixi pencil is staying put the best, but I didn't think the staying power was satisfactory when I tested it on my eyes (it made my eyes feel watery). The swatch was photographed with an overhead light and with the flash on:

Benefit Swatches

I'm not a blush person, it never looks right on me, no matter the color or how lightly I apply it. I bought Benefit's Big 10 kit awhile back, and it had minis of Posietint and Benetint, and they've been the exceptions to my blush klutz routine. Both are equally flattering to me. They are quite sheer, and natural-looking. Like you are blushing naturally. The only thing, do one cheek at a time, so the unattended side doesn't have time to dry, because they are watery and dry quickly. I don't use them as lip stains, because I prefer glosses, my lips have to feel moist 24/7. The other swatch is for Benefit's High Beam Highlighter. I add High Beam to my sunblock. I put it on my hands. I use it everywhere. It isn't frosty, or even especially shimmery. It is just glowy. I'm looking forward to trying Benefits other bottled tints--especially Moon Beam and Cha Cha Tint. They have a new highlighter, called Sun Beam, but I'm too pale to use most bronzing products. On to the swatches--the first swatch is too light, I'll try to get a better photograph and update the post later. Flash is on, with and overhead light. Again, pardon my bruise.

Tried the swatches on the back of my hand--meh....Oh, pardon the bruise on my hand. I'm a mess.

Elizabeth Arden, Estee Lauder, and Clinique Lipstick Swatches

The Estee Lauder and Elizabeth Arden lipsticks were GWPs, and I haven't checked to see if the colors are available for sale. The Estee Lauders are from the Exceptional Lipstick line, the colors are Honey Blush (my fave), Starlight, and Beauty. From EA I have Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Pink Parfait, and Pure Color Crystal Lipstick in Passion Fruit. The other swatch is for Clinique's Black Honey, which is my first tube, even though it has been on the market forever and I've always wanted to try it. I like it very much, and I am glad I bought it. Anyhoo, pardon the bruise on my testing arm. It has faded a bit, but still looks ugly. The swatches were photographed with the flash on, and with an overhead light.

EcoTools Eye Brush Set

Why am I just now trying Eco Tools???? Have you tried them? They are the softest brushes ever. Much softer than natural bristles. My first purchase is the travel set of eye brushes. The brushes and the mirrored bag were less than $7 at Amazon. How cute are these?

I blacked out the mirror--it was a smudgey mess. :-(

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment

I have to keep after the pores on my nose to keep them clear. I usually use 10% benzoyl peroxide cream, store brand, or name brand, as long as it isn't a gel. I have to use it every night for days to see any difference, so the skin around my nose gets dry, and it looks like I have a sunburn, and even makeup only partly hides it (because the dry skin is rougher than the rest of my face). I recently got a sample of LaRoche Posay Effaclar Duo, and didn't expect much from it. It is only 5.5% benzoyl peroxide rather than 10%. But, I must say, it works as well as the 10%, and without the irritation. It is also 0.4 micro-exfoliating LHA, which may be what is helping. I don't use it all over, just the t-zone. My sample came with an Amazon.com order of Gratiae Organics Hand and Nail Care Treatment, which I didn't care for, because the fragrance is cloying.

The Effaclar Duo isn't gritty like most BP creams, there is no fragrance, really no negatives., except for the price, which is in the $20 range, as opposed to less than $5 for most drugstore brands. But, you get what you pay for, right?

$10 off a $10 order at Victoria's Secret

Code is FA1129293 and the certificate number is 155300198. It expires 1/27/12 at 11:59PM EST. The code can be used once, it arrived in my catalog. It cannot be used on gift cards, Ugg, Frye, gift wrapping, or gift kits. I couldn't find anything I wanted. I'm already thinking about spring. :-(

Marshmallows For Toasting Lip gloss by Philosophy

My Marshmallows For Toasting trio by Philosophy arrived this afternoon. I've tried the lipgloss, and it is a nice texture, not gritty, the color is sheer and flattering. The taste is ok, nothing special. The smell...oy...I applied it and spent a few minutes trying to identify what it reminded me of, something I'd smelled years ago, finally got a picture of the smell in my head...it smells like a "roach motel" bug trap or one of those fly strips. Yuck. I'll grow used to the smell of the gloss, I guess, I have 2 of them, the other came with the The More the Merrier set. The Marshmallows for Toasting lotion has a better fragrance than the gloss, it smells like a lighter version of Pacifica's Island Vanilla. I just showered and used Have A Cherry Christmas and thought it smelled like cherry cough drops. It does not lather especially well, but I used a wash cloth rather than a puff. Did not use it as shampoo, because I have the small 2 oz bottle. The marshmallows set gets very good reviews on Sephora, so I'm hoping something is off with my smeller (because of the 20-30 degree weather) and the scents will improve with time. Would I recommend? Meh. Would I repurchase? Probably not. Stars? We shall see....

My first purchase of the year

I just ordered the Essie Morticia's Nails Limited Edition Nail Polish trio from HSN. It is only $7.00, and with shipping it was $8.97. I love The Addams Family, grew up watching the reruns, and admiring the calm, cool, and collected Morticia. I have the DVDs, now I'll have the nail polish. This will bring my nail polish total to 9. I bought 2 bottles in 2011, and 1 in 2010, and I don't know when I got the others...

Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo Spray, Beautiful Clean

My first experience with dry shampoo, Oscar Blandi Pronto Invisible Volumizing Dry Shampoo Spray was a success, so I thought I'd try a more wallet-friendly version. Oscar Blandi is $23 for 5oz, but Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo Spray is less than $3 for 5oz, but you get what you pay for. The Suave smells ok, and it does work to refresh hair, but it leaves a white cast, no matter how much I brush. If I had blonde hair, or if this came in brunette, I'd like it more. Not as much as the Oscar Blandi, but it would do in a pinch. Would I repurchase? No. Would I recommend? Yes, if you have light hair. Stars, maybe 3 of 5.

Urban Decay Complexion Primer Potion - Pore Perfecting

I love me some Urban Decay, I really do. In my book, Too Faced, Benefit, and Urban Decay are all tied for #1. I thought I'd love this primer, but it is too white, even for me. Another thing--two words: skin boogers. All over. I don't know if my skin isn't allowing the primer to absorb, or if it is clinging to every skin flake. Whatever it is, it makes this primer unwearable. My skin is a bit peely at the moment, I've doubled down on the AHAs and Retin-a hoping to hoist my suddenly jowly jawline. My regime worked, somehow. I'm hoisted. Not sure which product helped the most, I'm using a variety of products, about 8 in all. But, anyway, the primer, meh. It is $30 for 1oz at Sephora....