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!!!