Summer is upon us....

Happy Friday! Today I thought I would douse myself in color....so I opted for my turquoise Kut pants and my red leather wrap Stella bracelet with some layering. Needless to say - all this color had really pepped up my day!

I recently tried a few new products....so I'm back to offer you my two cents.

In CVS last weekend I saw an Essie magnet polish that leaves your nails with a python look. At 12.00 a bottle, I thought this better look good! Well, it looked great and I even got some comments on my nails. A tip to make this work better for you, no base coat! Just apply the polish to your natural nail and ONLY DO ONE NAIL at a time....

I also threw revolution organically freedom glow beauty balm in my bag. I've used a lot of blush sticks in the paste...my preference for on the go since you need have to worry about broken powder. Well this one was underwhelming. The coverage is very light, almost too light I have to add bronzed to my face just for additional highlighting. I still prefer stainiacs and smashbox much more.

Until my next post, adieu.

Back to books..

I've just started reading "The Elegance of the Hedgehog" which was also adapted into movie during '09.  It was on the  NYT bestseller's list for over a year.

Will it be a cherished part of my reading repitoire? Maybe not, but so far I've run into some of the best quotes I've seen in a book in a loooooong time.

"I don't really know how to explain it, but when we move, we are in a way de-structured by our movement toward something; we are both here and at the same time not here because we're already in the process of going elsewhere."

Do you sometimes feel like you're always here but not here? Live in the moment...pause, take a breath.  Breathe. 

Put a lid on it (eye primer)

I recently received this product as part of my #birchbox and the results were great.

I wore eye makeup two days in a row to test and give a fair review. The results were amazing. With the primer my eye makeup lasted over 10hrs and two workouts (one of those workouts being a pretty intense crossfit session).

The next day I wore eye makeup and again after 10 hours and a dance class (where i did little to no sweating) - there were creases in my eye lids and the shadow had noticeably faded.

So the pictures speak for themselves. Just a dab on the lids will keep your eyeshadow in place for many hours.

Juice Beauty

So I tried my sample of Juice Beauty - organics to go which is a 3 part face cleansing system.The picture shows additional items that you get if you purchase it - but I sampled the cleansing milk, serum, and nourishing moisturizer.

The cleansing milk was nice but seemed to leave a layer of film no matter how much water I put on my face. I used my clarisonic so I'm not sure if it would have been different had I just rubbed it on with my hands.  So I used a toner before I applied the serum.  The serum is GREAT.  I liked the way it made my skin look and feel. The serum was thick so I was afraid it was going to be heavy on my face but it wasn't.  The website states the serum is an antioxidant that helps prevent free radical cell damage and is 45.00 for 2oz. 

 The nourishing cream though was a bit heavy and thick. It also left my face feeling a little sticky.  May buy the serum separately...but for now I'm still on the fence. 

Things I've tried...

So I've been hacking away at all my samples because what's the use in hoarding tons of product?

So for the past couple weeks I've tried Klorane' dry shampoo. In the winter I'm able to go without washing my hair 2-3 days. So I thought I'd try a little dry shampoo during my in between days. The verdict?? It seems as though the shampoo works in the interim. It soaks up all the oil and leaves you looking less greasy but by days end my hair looks as thought it could use a wash. So this is definitely a temporary solution. I also used it a couple times after the gym and that worked well too.

Last week I received juicy's perfume spray sample. I tried it out this morning and though the sent smells great, it's simply not for me. It was very floral but youthful - if that's makes any sense to you. We've all smelled those perfumes that smell like a bouquet and would be spritzed on some 60 and older.

Next up is the aveeno bath wash. I tend to change between bath wash and dove beauty bar soap as I'm not particular to one version of soap over another. I will say I do like aveeno products and this one did not disappoint. The later was great without having to use too much body wash. It smelled nice and fresh and didn't leave me feeling flakey or dry afterwards.

And I've been using this eye makeup remover for years but I had to post my love for clean and clear's soothing eye makeup remover. It doesn't take too much to get your makeup off, it's gentle and best of all CHEAP and result available at all major stores!

And then we have the Clark's Botanicals smoothing marine cream. For some reason you can't apply this product to red or peeling skin- couldn't tell you why. I do like the cream but not enough to purchase. It has a very oceanic smell...that's almost a bit manly. This product actually reminds me of some male hair product Or something but I can place my finger on it. On this one too I shall pass...
And last but not least I've been using Merle Normans percentage forming eye cream and I am neither here nor there about it....it seems to work well. It goes on lightly and makeup doesn't tend to crease under it but there are others I like better. I like an eye cream that feels cool and makes your eyes feel like thy just drank a tall cup of coffee. But it does have spf15 so that's a nice plus. This is another I won't buy but it's actually a really good product.

So I bid you adieu until I either finish a book or try more products :)
Stay hydrated and moisturized!!!!

I tried it...

I tried this the past two nights. I got this from #birchbox and I'm on the fence.  The smell of the product is a bit "strange" - I think as you work it through your hair it starts to smell better but maybe that is just my imagination.

I read another person's review on this same product and they were overwhelmed with the smell. I compare it to a 90's salon where they're putting perms in people's hair.  But smell aside, the product is great.  My hair has had 2x the volume after each use.  I didn't do much to my hair but blow dry and go to bed. I woke up to fabulous big bed hair....will I buy it. Well that's debatable. I saw sites selling the product for about 40.00+, might be skipping on this one.  I'll have to see.

Friday is full of....

What is your Friday full of? Mine...possibility, promise, sadness, happiness, life, love, beauty, fashion...but no need to get into all of that this post. Lets just focus on the good stuff - makeup and fashion ;)

I received my Birchbox - lots of great things to sample this month.  I received some "dry" shampoo and I can't wait to try it out. I've always seen this stuff but never bothered to use it.  Will it work, will I like it?

I also received the fragrance "Hello" which smells great but just isn't my type of perfume. I handed it over to a friend and she loves the stuff. 

Also got an atonomizer which I'm stoked about as it was on my holiday gift list!!! LOVE IT. Benefits eye crea, and a credit towards rent the runway.  Rent the Runway is a site that lets you rent great designer looks for an event, and then return it..they take care of the dry cleaning.  HOW AWESOME IS THAT? I have yet to find an event where I need a designer dress, but I do have some weddings in 2013 so maybe.....


It's finally chilly in So Cal.  And I mean feet hurt kind of chilly so I'm back in my scarves, boots, sweater dresses, leggings, and LEG WARMERS.  I got these in New York earlier this year and haven't been able to use them until now.  I LOVE THEM....it's so 80's and yet so 2012. 

Is that a red leopard print scarf I see? Why, yes it is.  So as I bid you adieu for now...watch for my next post as I update you on all those life things I have going on.  I don't have a book on tap to read though the book club may be looking to read Divergent this coming January.  Stay tuned!!!