And Then There Was One

Yes, my search is complete. I bought my full-size product today.

The Korres Shampoo/Ojon Conditioner miracle day was a total fluke. All three days I gave it failed to live up to the first time. And while got the Ojon to work well, my hair needs a lot and it is too expensive to be running through so fast.

And when I paired the Korres Shampoo with it's counterpart, it still left me wanting a bit more.

So it was the Ojon Shine and Protect Shampoo that consistently left my hair feeling good and looking shiny. This product didn't stand up and scream "I'm awesome", and since I like me some loud products, I wasn't giving it enough credit. But through my whole search it remained consistent. Always shiny, always soft, manageable and poof-free. I had bought a full-size bottle of the Korres Silk Milk (which was the winning conditioner and my early favorite) since a sample didn't seem to exist. So now I am set.


Both of my rejects: Korres S & Ojon C, have half of the product remaining, and I am curious to test them again after I use my selected products for a good while.

Friday I am off to my family for the holidays until New Year's Eve. I'll be enjoying my new products, but being away from home doesn't allow for proper testing....

So, when I return, I'll begin testing leave-in conditioners. I have my little tube of phyto 7 and I got a sephora made sample of phyto 9. Next time I am in sephora I'll get some phytosesame and anything else my "research" finds so that I can do a thorough testing. I'm leaning heavily on Phyto b.c leave-ins seem to be their thing, but I would like to have some other brands tested as well.

Enjoy your Holidays.

See you next year with my Fab Hair!!!

Save The Best For Last

Korres Sunflower and Vitamin F Shampoo finally arrived on Thursday night and Friday morning I had the WOW day I was looking for.

Even more surprising was how well the Ojon Shine and Protect Conditioner worked with it. My hair felt great after rinsing and it was so soft and smooth after blow-drying. I had totally written off this conditioner, but now it is staying in the race as a contender.
I had an equally great experience when I used the Korres Silk Milk conditioner.

So, is the Korres shampoo totally amazing, or did it reap the benefits of going last? I'm not sure if a weeks worth of using the other products left my hair in a better conditioner so that the Korres got an advantage in performance.

After completing Phase I, I have three combos that require further testing:
Ojon Shine & Protect Shampoo with Korres Silk Milk Conditioner
Korres Sunflower and Vitamin F Shampoo with Ojon Shine & Protect Conditioner
Korres Sunflower and Vitamin F Shampoo with Korres Silk Milk Conditioner

Before I start testing those, I want to finish up what I have left of the Phytojoba (This one fell out of the race because of the design of the bottle and the lack of any wow-factor). I think I have 2 or 3 uses left.

Then I'll use each of my combos for 3 days, starting with Korres Sham and Ojon Cond, then Ojon Sham and Korres Cond, and finishing with both Korres.
Hopefully when I finish this, I will have made my decision. Stay-tuned.

Save Your Skin

All of the articles on combating winter skin issues were never of any real use to me. Bring on the cold!! My skin stays fine.

That was the case, until this year. All of a sudden - I'm dry and itchy and I don't like it. Plus I do not have an arsenal of products to protect me. Only the bits I have gleaned over the past years and my general obsession with all products, has prepared me to find products to correct and protect. And I would like to share two fab products:

Caudalie (are you surprised?) Gentle Cleanser is a light creamy cleanser that removes all makeup and impurities. Obviously it smells and feels awesome, but the best part is that after you rinse it off your skin doesn't feel dry - it actually feels like you just moisturized - all because of the amazing ingredients:
grape-seed polyphenols (OPC)
cornflower water
oat milk
sweet almond and jojoba oils, shea butter
coriander, sweet lime, lemon, guaiac wood, sweet orange, vetiver, sandalwood and hybrid lavender...

The bottle is huge so it will last you all winter and well into spring.

The other product is Ahava Dermut Intensive Hand Cream. My hands, especially my nails and cuticles, have been painfully dry and cracked. I try to heal them, but it's really hard for me to resist picking at them. I was looking in my draw-o-goodies for something this morning and I came across a sample packet of this cream. After one use I am hooked. It felt so good going on, deeply moisturizing, and I also felt it was protecting my hands from further damage. There is also a foot and a body cream in the same line.

Phyto & Korres x2

I still haven't received my korres shampoo, so I used the phytojoba with the korres silk milk for the second day in a row.

On tuesday, I washed, rinsed, and conditioned. The hair was ok, but not as soft as I'd like.

Today, I followed Phyto's instructions, and left the Joba on for 2 minutes (i washed my face) then, rinsed and conditioned. This definitely made a difference. My hair felt much softer today. The one thing I really do not like about the the Joba is the bottle. It has a crew top, and when it comes to dealing with shampoo, the flip top is really the only way to go.

Since I can't continue testing tomorrow, I will repeat the Ojon Shine & Protect Shampoo. I'm pretty sure that between this and the Joba, I'd go with the Ojon - tomorrow will finalize this.

PhtyOjon

More like PhytOh-No!

The combination of Phytojoba Shampoo and Ojon Shine and Protect Conditioner was dismal.

In the shower, everything was going good, I even thought the Ojon was doing a better job. The comb-through went fine. But that's were it ends.

Once my hair was dry, all hope faded. My hair was poufy, kinky, and frizzy. I was so bothered by my hair that I had to put it up in a ponytail all day. I think this is going to be the worst combo I test. I can't imagine my hair being worse than it was today. Let's hope the Korres pairs better with Phyto tomorrow.

The Competition is Getting Stiffer

I just finished drying my hair from my post-ballet shower and I now give you round two:

In the Shower: My thoughts on the Ojon shampoo haven't changed. The scent of the natural oils that are in the shampoo are strong and the deep smell isn't "feminine". The Korres conditioner also had an odd un-girly smell. I also found it a bit hard to squeeze the bottle. After rinsing it out, my hair felt soft, clean and smooth.

The comb-through: it took a little extra work because I had two medium sized tangles.

Post-Blow Dry: Now we are talking. Day two of the Ojon shampoo and this is working it. My good hair half is looking shiny, the fly-aways were better, and my highlights seemed brighter. The Korres conditioner seems to have better results with my bad hair half. While still looking dull compared to my good hair, it was hanging much straighter than usual and seems to be less kinky.

After testing both conditioners, Korres is in the lead. I'll be using each two more times so it's still anyones game.

Ojon Lady is a Hairetic

This morning I used the Ojon Shine and Protect S&C.

The shampoo had a good lather and there was nothing that struck me as bad about it. I tried to use a half-dollar size of the conditioner, but it didn't seem to be enough for my hair. After I rinsed it out, I felt that my was a bit rubbery.

Out of the shower, it was fairly easy to comb through my wet hair and get out any tangles. I blow-dried it using my usual products and I was pleased with how it turned out.
The top half of my hair will show the results of all these products, but the bottom half, having been permed 2 years ago, is in quite a state, and it always requires a little bit extra.
With that, all of my hair felt really soft, and the top was looking pretty good. The bottom was it's usual self, so I added the Leave-in glossing cream that came with the set. My hair wasn't transformed, but it was ready for a day at the mall.

And so, while walking through Sephora to get to the Caudalie section (i bought new face wash) I stopped to look at the phyto products to see if there were any mini sizes. Well, who happened to be next to be but a rep from Ojon. She starts her pitch and I pipe in that I already have stuff. She then showed me the Leave-in cream and I told her that it was actually in my hair right now. Well she was offering some for my fly-aways. It's really bad when a sales person offers you a product to fix what that same product didn't do the first time around. So she asks me what else I use, and then follows up by telling me she uses both Shine & Protect and another S&C set they have. >Now every magazine, stylists, etc. advises everyone to shampoo as little as possible. Shampoo strips your hair of its natural oils and of any color added to it. < Well she tells me that like her, I should wash with the shine and protect, wash a second time with the other one, and then condition. WTF, wash my hair twice in a day? This lady was old and I am sure she grew up in the time of lather, rinse, repeat, and thought that smoking was good for you. She obviously never got the memo on hair, what else is she doing like it's 1955?

Unfortunately, the fact that Ojon is letting this woman represent them has put a sour taste in my mouth. I've already decided that this combo won't be the winner, it just didn't do anything to wow me. And when a rep (no matter how stupid) offers the same product you're already using, that speaks volumes.

Next Up: Ojon Shine and Protect Shampoo with Korres Silk Milk Conditioner.

The Hair Diaries

My research on shampoo and conditioner begins tomorrow. I already had the phytosesame shampoo from Sephora, I bought the winter essentials kit which has 2oz bottles of the shine & protect s&c and a 2oz leave-in glossing cream (more of a blow-dry cream than a true leave-in conditioner). The Korres shampoo is on it's way from an eBay seller and I just bought the Silk Milk at Ulta. I haven't finished buying the leave-ins, but those will get tested a little later on.

Keep your eye out for more posts in the next two weeks as I report on how all of these products work.

The Game Plan

Behold, my formal plan for the Sham&Con quest:

I have created three categories:
1 - Shampoo
2 - Conditioner
3 - Leave-in Conditioner *Optional

ONE
The Shampoos:
Korres Sunflower and Vitamin F Shampoo
PHYTO Phytojoba Intense Hydrating Shampoo
Ojon Shine and Protect Shampoo

TWO
The Conditioners:
Korres Silk Milk Conditioner

Ojon Shine and Protect Conditioner

THREE
The Leave-Ins:
Added because Phyto is all about the leave-in.
I still need an in shower conditioner, but I think my hair could really benefit from this step.
PHYTO Phtyosesame Express Hydrating Conditioner

PHYTO Phyto 7 Daily Hydrating Botanical Cream


Possible Third Ojon Product

Part A - Obtain samples of all products:

• I have the phyto shampoo.

• I was watching an ebay auction that had the shampoo with a few other products. The auction was for $1 but they wanted $10 for shipping!! No one bid on it, so I offered the seller $7 for the shampoo sample and the shower gel sample (korres mint tea) including shipping. They agreed and said they would relist the item so I could buy it. I'm waiting for the relisting, hopefully it works out.

• I found a site that had the Ojon 4-piece Shine and Protect kit listed for $0. I added it to my cart and it looked like I could get it for the cost of shipping. Checkout went through and $5 pended to my account. Then I saw the back order on the bottom of the page. The charge is still pending and I haven't heard anything from the site, so we'll see what happens. Otherwise I'll be on ebay or I'll buy the $25 winter essentials kit.

• It seems that a sample size of the silk milk doesn't exist, so this might be the one full-size I have to buy - ebay for a good deal!!

• I'll get the ojon conditioner same as the shampoo

• Since the Phyto 7 came with the shampoo, I'm adding it to the mix. Ebay is my best bet for the Phytosesame.

• As for the Ojon, the 4-piece kit comes with the revitalizing mist and the glossing mist; the 3-piece kit comes with the glossing cream. So the products added to the mix depend on which kit I get.

Part B - Testing products and combos...

The search for Good Hair

A quick follow-up to previous posts:
While my Lauren Hutton purchase was the ultimate disappointment, I have found two superb alternates. Avon Planet Spa Napa Valley Body Polisher - This scrub is great, it smells like white grape juice and it feels great. I also love Bliss The Love Handler - this firming serum feels so good going on and drys very quickly so getting dressed is no problem.
The Hair Tonic I won: The scent reminds me of my Grandmother, I'm not sure why, but it smells like her bathroom. It volumizes well, I just like a little so my hair isn't flat to my head. I like mousse better, but some days I don't feel like having the stickiness on my hands and this is a great alternative.

My hair has been very dry lately and the problem is with my shampoo and conditioner. My research (a.k.a. online shopping) for products based on natural ingredients for colored and dry hair has got me debating on three different S&C sets: Korres Sunflower & Vitamin E Shampoo and Silk Milk Conditioner, Phtyojoba and Phtyosesame, and Ojon Shine & Protect. After picking these three, I did the hair consultation quiz on Beauty.com and these were the three recommended for me. Now I just need to try them out and see which ones are the best.

I bought the Phyto Dry Hair Set To Go from Sephora and used it last night. The Phtyojoba poured out of the bottle really fast so I ended up with some crazy lather. Good to know that a little goes a long way. I love the subtle coconut scent. I finished with the phytojoba mask and then Phyto 7 leave-in conditioner. After air drying for a bit and blow drying, I couldn't believe how soft my hair felt. There are still plenty of individual nasty coarse hairs, but when I pull it together in a pony tail it feels so lush. The one thing I don't like about Phyto is that they only use leave-in conditioners.

Any thoughts on the Korres and Ojon? I am trying to hunt down some trial sizes so I can test all the products before buying full size bottles - know where to find some cheap?

Blast from the Past

There is only one thing worse than having to work on a Federal Holiday: Not having any mail to come home too :(.

So, another day without my Lucky, but the hubbs told me I got a package. Hmm, I tracked all of the packages I have coming this morning and nothing is out for delivery today. Well I check the return address on the box and it says "Garren New York". Hair care I never ordered? Wait, no!! It can't be the Allure product that I won - Last DECEMBER.

Oh yes, that's right. Check out this post from March were I mention that I am waiting for my surprise gift.

They need to change 12 weeks to 12 MONTHS. Seriously, a year? WTF?!?!

So anyway, the product is Designing Spray Tonic. Another lie Allure told, my product was worth $50+. This goes for $26.

It is supposed to add volume: if it's really good or bad, I'll let you know

Who Doesn't Love a Big Sale?

The wonderful Kip from CUSP wanted to give all of us the scoop on the biggest sale of the season. Shop either the Georgetown or Tyson's Corner store from November 2nd-10th (I'll be in Georgetown Sunday) and get major savings on the most covetable clothes...plus, they even sell make-up(!!) Have fun shopping - and post what you get.

Not So Lucky - Secret Ingredient

The Beauty Department at Lucky Magazine, run by Jean Godfrey-June, is my favorite for checking out new products (Allure - you might do the best articles, but Lucky beats you on products). Two of my favorite columns are Jean's Beauty Closet - her personal picks, and Secret Ingredient - you get an intro to a cool ingredient, what it does, and a slew of products to find it in. For November its the Kukai Nut aka Candlenut - a super-duty moisturizer. The product that really got me was the Lauren Hutton Green Coffee Body Scrub (part of a trio). Lucky said "The scrub in this exfoliating treatment kit is phenomenal: spiked with coffee and brown sugar, it's wildly invigorating." I bought the $35 kit(scrub, massaging soap bar, and body serum) from HSN.com.

So Thursday night when I got home from the gym, I hopped in the shower to scrub up. There were some pretty specific instructions, and I did them as follows:
1. Use the scrub ankle to shoulders - rinse.
2. Use the flat side of the soap to lather (it exfoliates, too) ankle to shoulders.
3. Turn the bar and use the massaging nubby side knees to hips (more exfoliation)
4. Turn the bar again and use the contoured side on torso and arms (exfoliation again)
5. Rinse.
6. Out of shower - apply body serum to calves, thighs, buttocks, hips, abdomen, and upper arms.

The kit is supposed to be a firming treatment, and my skin definitely felt super smooth after I ex foliated it three times, but the products weren't great, and you can get the same results from more enjoyable products.

My thoughts:
Scrub - what a waste!!! The 4oz. jar is all but gone after one full body use. I have enough left to do one area of my body, and then it's totally gone. The scent reminded me of the Origins Modern Friction face scrub that made me gag. And the "wildly invigorating" claim from Lucky - I don't know what they were talking about. This is the product that made me want to try this kit and it is the worst of the bunch.
Try Instead: Caudalie Merlot Friction Scrub - feels awesome, smooths sooo good, and the light mint essential oils are the perfect amount of tingle. The 3oz mini in the trio will last you 3-5 uses depending on how big of an area you scrub. The full size jar is 8.8oz so you can definitely get your money's worth.

Soap - There was nothing bad about this bar, but it isn't available on it's own.
Try Instead: Bliss Serious Seaweed Cellulite Soap - I haven't tried this yet, but bliss usually does not disappoint. L'Occitane also makes a Grape Exfoliating Body Soap - it doesn't have massage nubbies, but it is awesome none the less.

Serum - OOOeeee. This stuff is so mentholated that skin felt like it was going to tingle right off. I like some tingle, but this was too intense. Maybe I used too much? Unlike the scrub, I do have enough of this left to try it again and see if I like it better.
Try Instead: This is the first body treatment product I have tried so I don't have any alternatives. The three brands listed above all have their own alternatives, so check those out.

The Review You Have Been Waiting For

But first - Life often brings about some unexpected changes. Here are my Top 3:

1. Work - I always had peaks of busy times and slumps of nothing to do. What started out as a peak last month doesn't have an end in sight. I think the cycles of my job are done. I am now entering "not just a job" territory, and I don't have the time I used to for my hobbies.

2. Shopping Habits - The cosmetic binge of last year is subsiding. After getting all that craziness out of my system, I still like to see whats out there, but I don't have the same urge to buy every single new thing. This is also leaving me with less topics I want to write about.

3. My Body - Sometime back in June, I mentioned that I was starting to work with a Trainer. Well, we still meet twice a week, and I am pleased to announce that I have hit the half-way mark of my 60lb. goal. I am doing the Trifecta of weight-loss: diet, exercise, and diet pills (all natural - for appetite control and motivation). I feel and look so much better. I know the second half will be harder to get off since I no longer have all that excess to just melt away. This first half took about 4 months, and I am giving myself 6 months to reach my goal weight. My birthday is my deadline.

When I was in my teens, I couldn't see myself getting fat until after having kids. I also didn't appreciate the body I had. (but what teen girl does - or can by society's standards?) I had this notion that 24 was the perfect age. A real adult, fully developed and still youthful. I thought 24 was the age when you reached maximum beauty, and if there was some kind of Death Becomes Her style potion, I would use it to be 24 forever. By 19, I was full-out chubby and things only got worse. I cursed myself for wishing for 24, when 16 was the best I ever had. I'll be 24 in six months. Reaching my goal weight by then would be so amazing. I could prove my 16 year old self right and my 19 year old self wrong wrong at the same time. Someone said to me that maybe I waited all this time to lose the weight in order to do it for my 24th, which would mean something extra special to me. Maybe she is right. Could my little thoughts have been a personal prophecy? Did I unknowingly lead myself into making 24 the monumental age I thought it would be? Anything is possible, right?

I also promised a Review last time I posted, so here it is:
Caudalie Gentle Buffing Cream ($34). I use this twice a week in the shower. The scrub is nice, light, and effective. There is no fragrance in it, so the scent comes from the ingredients, and whatever they are, it smells like Coppertone to me. I definitely recommend this product, along with every other Caudalie product I have tried. They have never irritated my skin, or left me with a side effect result. They have only taken me closer to having amazing skin.

In addition to this, I also use Sauvignon Scrub($35) once a week at night. This product contains the same scrubbing beads as the gentle buffing cream, but in a much higher concentration. My skin has never felt as insanely soft and smooth then it does after I use this. I followed this with a spray of the Grape Water ($8 or $13) before I put on moisturizer.

I think using a combo of both scrubs is best, but if you only get one - make it the Sauvignon Scrub. The results are more dramatic, and while I haven't tried it, you could take a small amount of it mixed with regular cleanser, and get a lighter treatment.

My other suggestion is to buy the Scrub Trio instead of the big tub. The trio is available at Sephora and is the same price as the tub. The sauvignon mini will last a while, and you also get the try the merlot and cabernet scrubs which are for the body. I like the merlot texture and scent better, but they are meant for different parts of the body, and that cabernet scrub does for my thighs what the sauvignon does for my face.

If you are comfortable with the price point of this line, start using it!!!

Hi! Did you miss me?

I found the product that would end my laziness/busy-at-work induced slump and get me blogging again. I've had slumps before, but this was one was worse: I even stopped reading all of the blogs on my Blog Roll. I guess you could say the Beauty Gods stages an intervention.

My desire for the Limited Edition leads me into buying things I have no true need for. They are just so pretty!! I was going to get P.S. Kiss - the LE Peter Som did for Lancome, the next in the Pout-a-Porter collection. But then I saw some pics and it wasn't really the color I was going for.

Beauty Gods bless Jean Godfrey-June, the beauty editor at Lucky, she always finds the products I like I would die without. Page 144 of the October issue featured Imitation of Christ for Smashbox's lipstick. It's deep burgundy with a dash of plum. o0o just like my Material Girl nail polish I love.

I went to Smashbox's website to check it out and saw that they made only 200!! Add Limited Quantity to Limited Edition and you get zero hesitation on my part. I added it to my bag, along with another burgundy lipgloss from the sale that had been lingering in it, and promptly checked out.

The color is called Enchanting, and it truly is. The Sila Silk formula is amazing. I think I might become a Smashbox lip stick devotee. It goes on so silky, it feels better than a gloss. It also makes applying a super dark lip stick foolproof.

The one thing hampering my dark lips is that I can't just slap on a touch up during the day. It actually requires a few minutes, two products, and lots of blending. And did I mention that my boss (the guy one) came to my desk while I was mid lipliner needing me. I covered my mouth with my hand and explained my momentary freak status. He, being the awesome boss he is, let me turn my back to finish and we continued when I returned to normalcy. But I do not want a repeat performance of this, so I now have to take my touch-ups to the bathroom.

It seems that there are still some left. The color is part of the regular line, but this one has a gunmetal finish on the tube. Unfortunately there is no IOC anything on the tube, just on the slip that went over the box:( So if you want the color, you can always get it.

It's Been So Long

Please forgive, I just didn't have much to say.

I've been trying to be good about not buying excessive make-up, and so far so good. I did do a make-up alley swap for MAC lip-liner in currant. It's a deep burgundy, and I think it will help me get that super dark look I want. I have been playing around with my new colors and I just feel so weird!! It doesn't look like me. I think after wearing them a few times, and having a fall outfit on, will help me adjust to this new look.

I needed a shower-cap upgrade, because my hairlines was getting soaking wet. I ordered the bathina cap from benefit (it was on sale!) but I'm not impressed. Maybe I have a small head or something, because I am just not getting a snug fit and it allows water in. With my purchase, I was able to use a promo code from Lucky Mag to get a free bluff dust - this is a yellow powder that counteracts redness.

I needed to replace my thick black eyeliner because mine was a year old. I went for benefit BadGal. I love how the fat pencil makes it really easy and fast to get a smudged look. You don't have to smudge, the thickness of the pencil does it for you.

And because I am getting a little nutso on the dark lip thing, I picked up a burgundy lipstick on sale for $8.

I'm also eyeing two dark glosses at smashbox that are on sale. I was going to buy them on yesterday to get the Let's Do Lunch product, but it was green eye shadow. I'll have to see what they do next week.

Today was the last half-friday of the summer, so Shannon and I went shopping to make the most of it. First stop: J.Crew - our favorite. I tried on all kinds of stuff, but only bought the madison stretch chinos in charcoal, and the super skinny bangles in navy and plum. There's not much point in buying anything else now. It will still be a few weeks before the weather is right to start wearing it all, and by then it will be on sale.

The other thing I got was the second product of my new skin care regime: Caudalie Gentle Buffing Cream for my morning exfoliation. Reviews once I start using it.

Allure, You Have Failed Me

You can download a copy of the Editor's letter from the September Issue and Linda Wells will explain why she put this atrocious representation of the human race on her cover this month. But it is a really dumb reason, and I don't understand what she was thinking. I think I am going to have to rip off the cover, the cover photo-shoot promo page, and the associated article, and then burn them, before I can go on to read the issue.

And why September?? Why does the most important issue of the year have to be marred by this creature? Are you mad at someone Linda? Is this a big "f*ck you" to your readers?

We may need to send you to rehab with your girl, because you have to be on something to put >gasp< Britney Spears on your cover.

And she said putting Paris on would be the first sign of the apocolypse. Seriously? In what world is Paris the bigger offender over Britney?

I Had to Have It

Oh yes, I got my bottle of Covet.

Over the summer, I happily discovered that I love the smell of magnolia. So when I saw in the August Allure that SJP's new perfume had notes of magnolia and musk (another fav), I couldn't wait to take a whiff.

I'm not big of celebrity perfume lines, but I adore SJP, and I feel that her celebrity-endorsed lines are more about her being a style icon than just a name (ahem britney spears - I would never buy anything with your name on it, you swamp trash which I despise)

Any who, I got a sample last weekend at Ulta and I knew this would be my new addition to the perfume line-up: players include: the MVP Thierry Mugler Angel, the pinch hitter Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, and last years rookie Vera Wang Princess, plus other body sprays.

While I love my shower gel and body lotions to smell like something I whipped up in the kitchen, BBW Pecan Pie and Cinnamon Bun Heaven and VS Slice of Heaven for example, I really like my perfumes to be deep, sexy, sultry scents. I don't want someone to say I smell nice. I want to smell intriguing, incredible, so, so igood, but not nice, never nice. (This excludes the summer - I take a three month hiatus and do nice clean scents)

Covet is exactly what I like. Miss Parker even describes the scent as being more aggressive and bolder than her first scent, Lovely - which fell into that nice category.
I'm thrilled she did some more dangerous, more glam, for all us girls who love wearing head to toe black, kohl-rimmed eyes, and sexy rumpled hair. Which is why...

The Ad Campaign is the way it is. I heard a lot of bashing on the print ads and commercial, but please take a step back with me. Let's remember that Parker is an ACTRESS. She is not herself in these ads, she is playing an obsessed French Fashionista. Note that the girl I described above is either french, a francophile or europhile, or a New Yorker. This is not a perfume for everyone, and the ads are geared towards the women who will wear this scent. I think the ads are genius. She breaks through the glass to get to the bottle with her Loubs for crissakes. And the contrast of her in the pristine white ball down in a jail cell with a bunch of dirty, grubby women is fantastic. So please stop judging the commercial on a superficial level and calling it deranged, because if it were a movie trailer, we would all be lining up to see it opening night.

I found my Fall Anchor

With all my shopping for new fall things, I knew that until I found my bag, my look would be incomplete.

I feel that a handbag is the achor to your wardrobe, since it is probably the only piece you are wearing on a daily basis.

So, without further ado, I present my chic new bag and wallet, courtesy of Coach:
New HAMPTONS SIGNATURE MEDIUM CARRYALL


HAMPTONS SIGNATURE NEW FRENCH PURSE

Painful Mascara

Back in my mark. days, I used Scandalash mascara all the time. I had an unused tube that I just started using and WTF?!?!

Last night, after the gym, I rubbed my eyes a bit and my lashes hurt!! My mascara was glueing my lashes together.

And then it happened again just now.

It feels like I have thick glue on my lashes, it is horrible.


I'm going to throw it out, and use my sample of Definicils Pro. I don't like that one because it has a curved brush, but at least the formula is good.


So, this weekend I will be buying Dior Show Unlimited in Blackout. I have been wanting to try this for a while, but I am trying to be good with not buying too many products.

FALL-ing all over myself

I am so eager for Fall to begin, I'm bordering on obsessed. This weekend I was able to get the basics for my fall make-up wardrobe. Now we all know that I never stop buying the new and pretty things. But I was able to get the bold nail and lip colors that will serve as my foundation and focal points for the coming season.

I've been refining my clothing choices for a while now, and yesterday I began purchasing. I am more excited for this season than I have ever been. It think this is mainly due to the fact that I have finally honed in on my personal style. It is amazing how coming to this point makes everything much easier. I can see the big picture and how everything will fit together, and it feels amazing.

What made yesterday The Day, was a Banana e-mail in my box. "New Styles Added to the Sale" it said. And what would you know a pair of pants and a button-down from my wishlist were marked down.
I got those, plus the 3 Back Button Sweater and a Cute V-neck top, all on my new Banana card - Yay!!


Then on J.Crew today, a blouse that had gone out of stock came back, and only in my size and the color I wanted. I have gotten burned waiting too long on the j.Crew site before, so I didn't hesitate to buy this. (Side Note: I can't even post a picture because it has already sold out!!)

Now all I need is for this heat-wave to break. And I also need to find a fall handbag.

Just Like A Bad Husband

I can't believe it, but I missed my blogs birthday!!! Yesterday C&L turned 1 year old!!

I can't believe I have been on here sharing all my beauty craziness with you for a year now.

Thanks so much to everyone who has been reading along with me. And thanks to all of you newbies who are coming to check me out.

I hope you all enjoy what I have to say. Whether it is advice/reviews, or relizing that I am even crazier than you when it comes to shopping habits. Have I become your "see I'm not that bad" rationalization?? I sure hope so.

So here's a toast to another year!!

Ready, Set, FALL!!

I cannot WAIT for the weather to start dropping so that I begin sporting my new fall look.

Friday, I went into Pure Beauty and got my coveted bottle of Material Girl. It isn't the blackest purple I was expecting, it's more of a purple-tinged deep wine color. Still totally gorgeous. In my new love for deep nail colors, I'm heading over to Ulta tomorrow to pick up the dark delights mini 4-pack. The set includes Lincoln Park After Dark, Lincoln Park After Midnight, Espresso Your Style, and Mrs. O'Leary's BBQ. I have been an Essie devotee because she does whites and pinks like no ones business. But when it comes to the darks, I know that I need to check out OPI.

I also went a bit bizerk at Nordies. I got my Jezabel from Lancome. The colors are actually the same even though the site made them look different, and they are the red color. It's such a shock to see my self with red lips, but I am really liking it. I also got the lipliner in Enchantment from the Fall collection. It's great because it has a brush on the other end.

My gift with purchase is fab too. My favorite is Beach Plum Juicy Tube. I can get my dark fix with the easy application of a gloss. It also has Amande Sucree Lipstick, a really pretty deep bronze, Definicils Pro Mascara, Bi-Facil, Star Bronzer (super pretty), and eyeshadow quad with filigree, impress, best dressed and faux pas.

I also went to MAC to finally pick up my Novel Twist purchase. I went for my Rushmetal Pigment as well. I was going to get CocoMotion, but when I tried it on my lips it looked like poop. I ended up getting Gold Mine instead, and got the clear lipglass refill so that I could make a gloss with the pigment. Right now it is a really pretty sheer golden color. I might see how it looks with more pigment added to it. It's really cool how easy it is to make a lipgloss with pigment, and it turns out awesome. If you have one you really like, try this!!

Even though I am loving this whole dark lip thing, I'm still addicted to pale pinks, and I got Lightswitch from the 3D collection. This is the kind of pink I dream of. Shimmery without visible flecks, pigmented but still sheer. The perfect light pink to make my lips look full and sexy. This is going to look amazing with a seriously dark eye. I can't wait to do this look tomorrow.

My last Nordies counter was Chanel. Tulipe Noire is supposedly the Black Satin of this season, so I had to see it. Unfortunately they didn't have any. I saw a picture of it when I got home, and since it has shimmer in it, I know I won't like it. I did try on Lotus Rouge, which is a beautiful red, but it wasn't special enough for me to pay $19 for it.

If you remember, a few months ago I said I was going to use up the skin care products I had and then only buy L'Occitane and Caudalie. Today was my first full-size purchase: L'Occitane Shea Ultra Rich Eye Cream. I love how gentle and moisturizing this product is. I don't need to spend the $$$ yet on anti-aging creams, but this one should keep my skin nice and supple, and thus keep the wrinkles at bay.

I'm also gearing up for my fall wardrobe, I've pick out some pieces from Banana and ripped out all the things I want from the J.Crew catalog. 70 degrees, I'm waiting for you...

Ch-Ch-Changes

Sorry I haven't posted in so long!! Hubbie and I took a long weekend to visit his family. Got back to work and I have been swamped!! I'm still not done catching up, but I had to carve out a few minutes to post.

It seems that every season there is one object that just sets my tone of style. Last fall, it was all about purple. This spring/summer my pink "Palm Beach Princess" shoes led me down a very Lilly & Preppy path.

This season is bringing about some major changes in my style. I adore black clothing for the colder months. I think a black monochromatic look is so chic, especially for the office. But when it comes to my lips and nails, I have been a die-hard the paler the better kind of gal.

But the winds have changed, and I think maybe I am maturing a little too.

My defining moment product was seeing Essie's new Material Girl on AllLacqueredUp. I have been intrigued by the whole dark polish trend. I even bought a bottle of black polish, but it felt too harsh. Then I saw this blackest purple color and I knew I had found what I needed. Plus the name is just too spot on for me to pass. The color isn't out for another month, but I can't wait for September to begin my transformation into some serious vampy glamour, meow!!

A week after having my moment with that polish, I found a lipstick in Allure that looks like the perfect compliment. Even more weary than I am about dark nail polish, I have been adament on the whole red lips deal. Lancome's Jezebel is a black cherry like color, and I think this is the year when I will feel confident wearing such a bold color. Two of their lipsticks have this color, one looks more red, the other more purple. I will have to try on both before I decide which one suites me.

So, Rain Rain come my way, take away this Heat today. Because I can't wait for Fall!!

In A Flash

I had to make a few returns yesterday. I bought what I thought was a L sweatshirt from VS, but when I got home I realized it was an XS. I was going to exchange it, but I went to a different VS and they have a very condensed store because of a renovation. (Side Note: Pentagon City Shoppers: The New VS is going to be the size of 6 normal stores)

I also had to return a bra & pantie set from Nordies - I was getting some pretty bad spillage.

Now you know being in Nordie's I couldn't leave without seeing Flashtronic and Rush Metal

I really like Cocomotion pigment from Rush Metal, but I didn't want to buy too much stuff. I think next time I am wandering the beauty floor, I'll find myself back at MAC buying this. I also plan on getting a clear lipgloss and turning this pigment into a super pretty semi-sheer bronze gloss. EXCITING!!

What I did get, is By Jupiter Mineralize Eye Shadow from Flashtronic. It's a really pretty golden bronze with lots of depth because of the marbling.

The Skinfinishes are also really nice; Global Glow is a great bronzer. I have too many to buy another, though.

I also got a new brush; 239 eye shading brush. I don't think it is limited edition, just featured with the Rush Metal collection.

So my recap on these two: The shadows, finishes, and pigments are all great and you will definitly find a color you love.

The glosses and lipsticks that accompany these were really blah, pass on these, but do check out the lippies that are a part of the Novel Ties collection. Or do like me, and turn a pigment into a lipgloss.

I Open at the Close

My weekend was an all-consuming Harry Potter Mega-Fest.

11:00pm Friday Night - Arrive at Borders, can't believe it really is this packed.
Get in line to get my number for buying the book - I am 661.

11:10pm Friday Night - Continue making my way to the back of the store, trying to find the end of the coffee line.

11:15pm Friday Night - Get in line for coffee; chit chat with the girls behind me.

11:55pm Friday Night - Girls offer me their extra number - 144, which is 500 people ahead of me. I glady accept.

12:15am Saturday Morning - Arrive at the coffee counter, order a Cocoa Trio. Realize that they are serving Butterbeer. Yell for barista and ask, oh so sweetly, if he would mind making me a Butterbeer instead. This causes mass confusion, but I do get my butter beer.

12:20am Saturday Morning - get into the third line of the night. This time it's to actually buy my book.

12:30am Saturday Morning - I am the proud owner of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

1:00am Saturday Morning - Get into bed and begin reading.

2:00am Saturday Morning - Time for Bed.

11:00am Saturday Morning - Wake up. Make Coffee.

11:15am Saturday Morning - Read.

12:15pm Saturday Afternoon - Get ready for beautification appointments.

1:15pm Saturday Afternoon - I have my highlighting appointments. I read while my color is developing - it's rude to read while she is standing there doing my hair.

3:15pm Saturday Afternoon - Time for mani/pedi. Read while I am having my pedicure.

4:15pm Saturday Afternoon - have dinner.

5:30pm Saturday Evening - begin reading again. Continue reading

5:00am Sunday Morning - Finish Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows!!!! WooHoo. Thanks JK, you gave me all the endings I wished for, I love this book, I love this story, I love you. Take some time off, you deserve it, but please don't let this be the last book you write about this wizarding world.

5:05am Sunday Morning - Fall asleep, dream about HP.

Finally, a Lamp!

Ok, so I know I have gotten away from make-up a bit, but my tagline does say all things fabulous. So anyway, check out the lamp I got from restoration hardware

I got the small one for my nightstand. Now I can finally read before going to sleep!!

I also got this tray in lavender to hold my make-up(ok so I am actually talking make-up in this post, kinda)

Give Simple

Give Simple is a great resource for easy gift giving, and for things for yourself, too! I got my gym bag from here, and I get compliments on it all the time.


In my email today, they advertised their new baby items, and one of the featured items is PERFECT for my cousin who is turning one next month. His mom did his bedroom in a jungle theme, so these will go so well with all his things. They also are giving 10% off the baby items if you use code "BEBE"



The case has a floor puzzle in it. They also have ballerina and pirate themes.

I Love a Good Monogram

Well, *finally* as promised here is a picture of the tote I got for Cailtyn:


This is all the stuff she is getting in it:



When I got my Serious Skin Care kit with my Dry-Lo (the best pimple vanishing potion I have ever tried) it came with this cute little bag. It started crying to me, saying it felt naked and please, pretty please, monogram me. So I tried, and it came out pretty good:

We Have A Winner!!

Congratulations Bobbiebobbob, you are the winner of a brand new bottle of Calvin Klein Euphoria Blossom.

Please contact Marlen with your mailing address
[Marlen at perfumecritic.com]

I just wanted to thank everyone who participated and has started reading my blog. I'm glad you all enjoy my writing, please stick around and keep commenting!!

XX Heather

Beauty Addicts Anonymous

I've really been on myself lately about how many products I have. I buy more than I can possibly use and I feel that so much is going to waste. I also feel that at a certain point I get overwhelmed by my choices and revert to only using a few of the many items I have.

I also love the idea of developing my own Signatures. Nail Polish, Perfume, Lipgloss (yeah, right) etc. I think having a signature is so sophistacated and chic, it carries with it that je ne sais qoui.

I know that if I had a perfume, it would be Thierry Mugler Angel. But there are too many other scents out there that I really like, and I can't give them all up just for Angel. I also have about 5 polishes that I could pick from, but I'm not ready to commit to any one of them.

So I ponder: is my dilemma a symptom of my age? As I mature will my tastes refine to the point that I can be satisfied with just one item? Or is it just my personality? Will I forever feel the need to have the next new thing and never get throw away an empty bottle?

I would love to hear your thoughts, espcially those of you who would like to form Beauty Addicts Anonymous with me and those of you who could be our sponsers.

I try, I really do

I keep telling myself to stop buying more beauty products. I have more then I need, but there is always something new drawing me in.

So yesterday, on a shopping trip to get my hubby some new shirts, I found myself over at the MAC counter. Nordstrom is having an exclusive collection called Novel Twist. You can't actually buy anything until Friday, but I was able to pre-order the Tan Lip Palette and Groundwork Paint Pot. All the packaging for this collection is super cute. All tweedy with crazy embroidery. The paint pots are awesome too. They are cream to powder eye products that can be worn alone or used as a base. The color I got falls in line with all my favorite colors and is a great foundation for a smoky eye.

At Sephora, I got a new lash comb (mine fell apart) and the Oscar Blandi Exfoliating Treatment. This product just seemed so cool. I used it today, it wasn't as gritty as I thought, but it did feel really invigorating. I also discovered Dior's Jersey Pink gloss. I didn't let myself buy it, b.c i have way too many pink glosses. But as soon as I finish one, I will replace it with that one.

I got lured by the Victoria's Secret sale as well. The 3 for $27 Beauty Rush found me with the entire collection of Slice of Heaven (smells like cake batter). 2 for $10 on the beauty rush glosses got me another slice of heaven as well as I want candy. And because they have repackaged the garden collection, the old bottles were 3 for $12, so I got three Love Spell sprays (the best fragrance VS makes, if you have never tried this, run and get a bottle). There were also some super cute little glitter glosses and I decidedto go with Kiss and Tell.

The Sephora purchases and MAC were planned, but the VS was sooo not, when will I ever stop being lured in by the beauty fairy?

On a more positive note: to make room for all the new stuff I can't help buying, I cleared out the glosses I never use and I will give them to Caitlyn. She is getting so much stuff!!

Here I Go Again...

Today is payday, and you know what that means. I couldn't help buying a little bit of fabulous-ness for myself.

#1) Happy Homemaker did a post featuring some invitations from Boatman Geller. My bookplate stickers are from the same company, and since I love them so much, I went to check out the website. And fell in love. With this:
So now I am just waiting for it to be done up with my name, yeay!!
You can check out their products here: Boatman Geller
You can buy them here: Stationary Studio

#2) The Banana Republic sale was getting too good to pass up, especially when I saw the shoes I wanted were starting to sell out in different sizes. I originally wanted these, but my size sold out, so I got the wedges instead:

Both styles are on sale for $19.99 down from $98(heels) and $88(wedges)

I also felt that my wardrobe really needed a wide braided leather belt, so I picked this one up for $24.99: