The Clarisonic - Life Changing Skin Care

This simple little tool has changed my life. And mostly I mean my face. If you have never seen one of these before, allow me to introduce you. Blog reader, meet the Clarisonic Mia. She is amazing and powerful and has made my skin more incredible than it ever has been.

I had been wanting one of these little babies for some time, and had done quite a bit of research about it. Then, about two weeks or so ago I went in for a facial and asked the lady there a crap ton of questions about it. I have heard they are amazing and I have heard that the Clarisonics are bad for your skin, so I wanted her expert opinion. And she told me a million zillion different reasons why I should have one and broke down all the different models for me.

So after additional research and based on the advice of the woman at the spa I settled on the Mia. It only has one speed and I was able to score a pretty sweet deal on Amazon. Normally these run $120 and up, but I found mine for under $100.

It comes with a sensitive brush head and a charger. The clear plastic thing is the cover for the brush head so it doesn't get all smooshed up in your bathroom. The charger is like a magnet that suctions on to the base of the handle and you do have to charge it for 24 hours before you use it the first time.

I use it with my normal cleanser, which BTW, is awesome. And because the Clarisonic cleans my face 6 times more than regular washing alone, sometimes the brush head looks like this:

It kind of has a brownish pink stain to it, and that is all of my foundation, bronzer and blush. Yick! You are supposed to wash the brush head once a week with warm soapy water and let it sit so that the brush head stays nice. And you can order additional brush heads on the Clarisonic website or on Amazon.

So what has this done for my skin? Well it has made my skin much more smooth, shrunk my pores a little bit, and has started to get rid of the gross and disgusting milia (which are calcium deposits that look like white heads but are not). It has also noticeably changed the way moisturizers and make up absorb on my face and as a result I use less foundation.

I also really look forward to washing my face every night! You push the gray button and the brush works it's magic for 60 seconds. Spend 20 seconds on the forehead, and 10 seconds on each cheek, your nose and chin. Then after 60 seconds the Clarisonic shuts off and you rinse off the brush and rinse your face. And then you can hear angels sing and the clouds part and you revel in the awesomeness of the Clarisonic Mia.

There are several other models and colors available. You can check them out here.

Do you have a Clarisonic? Do you want one? I would love to hear your personal stories and comments down below.

Also for those wondering, I have super dry skin. I use creams on my face for day and night and usually have to add more to a couple of spots, but the Clarisonic has helped with that a lot and has gotten rid of some dry patches I had. Also I am over 30 so being proactive about anti-aging and preventing wrinkles is VIP to me.

Lime Crime Haul and Mini Review

Wow, long time no blog huh?!? There's no excuse for it really. I dropped the ball during Fall Fashion Week, and am just now picking it back up again. I hope you stuck around and I hope the newbies enjoy!

So for my first blog in 100 years, I am sharing a mini haul I purchased from Lime Crime. For those of you who haven't heard, Lime Crime is a make-up brand based out of California, (you can check out their site here). And they are amazing. The packaging is purple and it has a unicorn on it. DO I even need to go further? I mean seriously look at the friggin purple box for crying out loud! It's amazing.

I first heard about Lime Crime on Nicole Guerriero's YouTube channel which you should totally check out because she is amazing and gorgeous and hilarious. So I went to the Lime Crime website to check them out and was supes impressed.

They are known for their eye primer, called Shadow Helper. And their super opaque lipsticks, that come in a variety of amaze-balls colors.

A couple of weeks ago I got my tax return and decided to save some of it, pay some bills and treat myself to a couple of fun things. So I went right on over to the Lime Crime site and ordered two products. The box above is what came in the mail, and I received it within three days of ordering (which in my experience, is super-de-duper fast!).

So here's what was in the box:

I decided to get the Shadow Helper, since that was their #1 guy, and I needed some new primer anyway. I haven't tried it yet because it came after I did my make up for the day. BUT I will do an update and let you know :-) Have you tried it? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

I also ordered one of their lipsticks in Glamour 101. And um guys, this color has changed my life. For real, in one afternoon this tiny tube of awesomeness has change my life. It is gorgeous! And it smells like vanilla, and I feel like Marilyn Monroe when I wear it. Here's a swatch:

It's pretty true to the color in the tube, which is why their lipstick is so awesome. It's a dark, brick red color that I feel would be pretty flattering on both warm and cool skin tones. And I am paler than death and it still looks good on me! This color reminds me a lot of the Revlon Lip Butter in Red Velvet but better.

So that's it. Whew! First blog back done! I hope you enjoyed this and know that I am posting another one tomorrow ;-) And I hope to have myself on a three days a week blogging schedule. If I don't, let me know haha!

Here is pricing and other info:

Glamour 101 Lipstick $15.99 (Vegan and Cruelty Free!!!)
Shadow Helper $16.99 (0.35 oz, also VEGAN and cruelty free!)

They also have Zodiac Glitter, which I am dying to try! If you've tried any Lime Crime products, let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Fall Fashion Series: Clean out that closet!

So let's face it; by now you are over-the-knee boots deep in fall fashion additions to your closet. And you are looking around thinking "Where the heck am I going to put all of this?!"  No worries, I am here to help! So go get some chocolate, or a glass of wine (or both) and sit back, take a deep breath and keep reading...

Step One: Assess the situation. Take everything out of your closet. Yes, that's right, take it all out. In an orderly fashion now, don't just throw it everywhere. Take out all of your pants, skirts, tops, jackets, etc. and group them together in piles on the bed, or floor, or couch. 

Now you can see just how much you have, and how much space you have to put it in. 

Step Two: Be honest and make piles. Those pants that were on sale for oh-so-cheap and would look great if...or that skirt that's just a little too snug, but would be perfect! if you lost the last five pounds, or the top that would be awesome if you had the right bra... Yeah, I know, I had those too. But seriously, have you worn them? And no, wearing them in the dressing room does not count. So really, have you worn them in the last year?

What you need to do is start making three piles. One to put back in your closet, one to donate and the other to either sell or have tailored. 

The clothes you haven't worn ever, or don't fit, should be put into a donate pile or a sell/get tailored pile. The clothes that are your staples and favorites are the clothes that will make their way back into the closet. 

Step Three: Don't look back. Once you have a donate pile done, bag it up, put it in your car to drop off and let it go. It's hard, but trust me you can do it. And someone else will appreciate it too! Take those clothes to your local Goodwill, or Salvation Army, or any other local thrift store for someone else to take home and enjoy. 

Step Four: A second chance. The pile that has been designated "sell/get tailored" needs to be revisited. And when you are looking through it all again, remember step two "Be honest". Try stuff on, check yourself out in the mirror, sit down. Does it fit? Can you breath when it's zipped? How much would the alteration cost if you took it in? If the item is in good shape, you can re-sell it at a consignment shop in your area. And keep this in mind, if it's been in your closet for more than 6 months and you still haven't had it altered...it should go. If it was really awesome, it would have been hemmed the week you bought it. 

So by now your sell/get tailored pile should be pretty small. Bag up what you think you are going to sell and put that in your trunk (just don't confuse it with the stuff you are donating). Then, the pile you are getting tailored should also be bagged up and set in your car or near the door - I am trying to set you up for immediate action here so that there is no room for procrastination. 

Step Five: Fill up your closet again! Now you can put everything back in your closet. And as you do so, if you find yourself second guessing whether or not you really want to keep it, ask yourself when was the last time you wore it, and maybe try it on again. You can always add to the donate or sell piles.

A couple of bonus tips here:

1. Organize pants, skirts and dresses by color, lengths and sleeve lengths. Do the same for shirts. You'd be surprised how much easier it will be to find what you are looking for.

2. Look through some of the current Fall Fashion magazines and pull out pictures of outfits you like. You can make your own "look book" and then shop your closet, you'd be surprised by how much you already have to create the outfits you love! Plus, when you do go shopping you will have a better sense of what you need. 

And finally, you can go shopping with the bonus money you get from selling your clothes to a consignment shop! And don't forget to get a receipt for your donations, as that is a tax deduction for you! 

Alright, go fill up that wine glass, and get to work! 

Fall Fashion: Nail Polish Edition

It's Fall Fashion time!!

This is my FAVE time of year in the beauty and fashion world (spring fashion is my second fave!). I love fall! I love the cozy sweaters and scarves, and BOOTS! I love football and Halloween and hot chocolate, and so many more things about fall.

I'm going to be doing a series on Fall Fashion here on my blog. First is nail polish, then beauty, then fashion, shoes and accessories. I may group the last two into one post, but we'll see. I will post a new topic each week!!

So let's get started with my fave fall nail polish shades! (P.S. if you're interested, I recently filmed a ZOYA haul video on my YouTube channel).

I love dark colors all year long, but even more so in fall! These are two of my fave dark brown and black shades. Left to right, Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Pat on the Black (this is a very deep brown/red shade that almost is black but not quite) and Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Black Out.

Blue and green are really big again this fall. I love these! Left to right, Zoya Suvi (deep hunter/forest green), Zoya Song (cobalt blue - one of the season's hottest colors!), and OPI's Russian Navy (classic all year long, if you ask me).

Sometimes a girl just needs a break from all those deep, dark colors. So I really like these neutrals with a twist. Left to right, Essie's Penny Talk (from their new metallic line a coppery, rose goldish shade), and Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Commander in Chic (an AWESOME gray shade!).

And finally I had to throw in some purples and reds! Left to right, Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Red Zin (very deep red), Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Posh Purple (brighter funky purple), Zoya in Suri ( a great royal purple) and Zoya in Jem (a vampy purple with gold shimmer - this is my favorite nail polish shade of almost all time - LOVE it!)

What are your favorite shades for fall?

Beauty Ban September!!!

So a few weeks ago I was filming a video for my you tube channel about my make-up collection and storage. I don't have a huge collection by any means, but I definitely have more than the average girl I would think (but maybe not, what do you think?).

And as much as I like to try new things and have lots of girly make-up, I also really DON'T like "stuff" and clutter. So I decided that for the month of September I would not purchase any beauty items. Then I cleaned out my closet to haul a bunch of stuff to Plato's closet and thought man I don't need any more clothes and shoes either!

Now let me pause for a second. I have not lost my mind, I was not abducted by aliens and I was not a victim of some freaky accident where my soul was switched with someone else. I just get this way a couple times a year where I have a mass cleaning and organization panic. I like order and I want my stuff to be organized so every now and again it just needs to be cleaned out.

Okay, so my beauty ban has now transformed into a full blown beauty-fashion-fragrance-bodycare-accessories ban for the month of September. If there is some hygiene product I need of course I will buy it, and I do need a hair cut. But I don't need any additional products to try. I have enough stuff that I could just shop my own store so to speak.

So I am six days in and so far so good. Beauty products haven't been hard to resist; I have quite a few things that I am happy with and not really feeling the urge to try anything new. But where I am struggling is with fashion. And specifically shoes. There are a pair of shoes from JustFab that I am obsessing over right now. And they are so pretty. And they would look so pretty on my feet.

But I am trying to stay strong. I am determined to do this and I know I can make it happen.

I will throw out a disclaimer and say that I am still receiving my MyGlam subscription this month so I will get beauty products there. And as a mark rep I will be purchasing (and I did earn some too!) some of the new fashion and beauty items for my business. BUT I am not getting anything else...I swear...really, I promise...well I'm trying at least...

FOUND!! Cute clothes and cheap groceries...at...Walmart!

 Look at all those groceries!!!! Seriously, look at them!! I got at least two weeks worth of groceries for less than $100!!! This may not be as exciting to you all, but to me this is like...unbelievable...magic, even! I normally spend far more than that just to get a week's worth of groceries for two people.

I have to confess I am not a huge fan of Walmart, I don't like some of their business practices, and between the other people shopping there and the generally unfriendly cashiers, I really only go there if I have to. But, I was curious after seeing some of their more recent commercials about saving on groceries and I am all about saving money right now! I am still blown away!

One of the most exciting things I found was this! Macadamia Cookie coffee?!?! Seriously! I have never seen this at Target, and I am so excited to try it! Yummy!

Probably the most surprising things I found at Walmart were the cute clothes! OMG what?!? For real, there are cute (and cheap!) clothes AT WALMART!! Who knew! I got a maxi dress, shorts and a cute summer top! I am so excited I can't even believe it!

Here's a little sideways pic of me wearing some of my finds! I still am floored by this....

Also, grocery shopping at Walmart today was actually kinda fun, and I normally hate shopping for food. I am definitely converted.

Three Beauty Must Haves

So I am sure that none of these products are new to you. You probably have them in your bathroom now, or have purchased them in the past. BUT do you know how to use them? A couple of these items can be used for things you may never have thought about before.

So I want to offer you three beauty tips you can use everyday items for!

1. Pluck your own eyebrows? Hurts kinda huh? Well not if you put a little Anbesol on a q-tip along the area you want to pluck. Wait about three seconds for it to sink in and pluck away pain free :-) A little goes a long way!

2. Got sweaty feet? Sure you do! It's summer, and it's hotter than Hades out there right now! Buy some cheap deodorant and give the bottoms of your feet a swipe before you put your shoes on, and you can say say "peace out." to stinky sweaty feet! I have used Baby Powder and Gold Bond Powder but this works waaaaaayyyyyy better.

3. No shock here, but you can use Vaseline about a million and five ways. I know a lot of people want petroleum free stuff and that's cool too. Just glob it on your feet and put socks on to sleep. Wake up in the AM with the softest feet ever! Love this for summer especially! I sleep in little Hanes anklet socks, so they aren't too warm for sleep.

Have any beauty tricks? Share them here :-) I would love to see!