Use candy to offset expensive beauty products

Whether the economy has affected your life drastically, or hardly any we could all afford to cut back on spending here and there.  Though, I hate to admit it, most of the beauty products that I use are luxuries in addition to regular household spending.  So, here are a few fun and tasty ways to offset the cost of beauty by substituting candy for expensive product.

1. Fight free radicals with chocolate!  Free radicals are the molecules in your environment that come in contact with your skin cells, damage them and sometimes, multiply.  This damage increases with age and if there are no antioxidants available in your body, there is nothing to fight against the free radicals.  Luckily, chocolate contains flavonols that act as antioxidants in your body.  The more cocoa content in the chocolate, the better, so dark chocolate is best.

2. Make your own products.  The cheapest way to stock up on beauty essentials is to make them yourself.  One of the most commonly used product is also one that runs out pretty fast, lip balm.  Combating dry lips is a daily struggle but, you can fight it frugally.  Pixie Stix and Petroleum Jelly can be easily combined to make cheap and effective lip balm.  I made my own today with my daughter.  It was a fun activity for us to do together and the balm worked great, double whammy! 

3. Substitute when appropriate.  There are many beauty products out there that can be substituted for everyday products in your life if you just get a little creative.  For instance, there are many pricey products on the market that are sold to exfoliate the lips but, Sour Patch Kids candy are a cheap and tasty substitution for these products.  Just rub quickly all over the lips, preferably after a warm shower, rinse and eat!  Then apply your favorite lip balm.  A home-made one perhaps?

What are you ladies doing to cut back on beauty expenses?  I would love to hear your creative ways to save and still look great.  Let me know how these ideas work for you!

Mary Kay, Satin Hands

I met up with my Mary Kay Rep to try out the latest products.  I would advise anyone who is curious to try new beauty products, but cant afford to, 'buy and try', to do the same!  My favorite product of the day was the, Satin Hands set.  This product comes in a three part system that leaves your hands feeling silky smooth and moisturized.

The first step was the hand scrub.  I rubbed all over my hands with the sugary concoction and then rinsed.

Next came the hand softener.  This product coats your hands, and may leave you with a slight waxy feeling.  However, you will note the improved softness of your hands right away.

Last is the Satin Hands, hand cream, the last touch of moisturization to this easy system.

As far as this product goes, it was really a no-brainer for me!  One of the things that I usually neglect in my overall beauty routine is my hands.  From cleaning products, to constant handwashing after changing poopie diapers, my hands take a beating. But, I tried Satin Hands, and my hands did feel softer.  I used the Peach scent, which was extremely subtle and just left a hint of sweetness in the scent of my hands.  But, the set also comes unscented or in limited adition, Vanilla Sugar.  The best part of this was that the feeling didn't go away after a day of handwashing. My hands felt smooth and fresh all day.

Stila: concealer uncovered

I've been using concealer for under-eye circles since middle school.  The beauty of genetics is that you always have someone else to blame for your looks.  Thanks for the shadows under my eyes, Mom and Dad!  I've tried concealer in about every consistency, color, and price range.  I've even tried those funky green and yellow shades that claim to cover the gloomy eyes, but don't.  What I've learned over the years is that you can't lighten or brighten your under eye circles to make them disappear.  You can only blend them into your natural skin tone to make them appear softer and well blended.  Instead of choosing a shade lighter than your natural tone, try a shade that matches your skin tone, or even a tad darker.  You'll be surprised at how subtle your under eye darkness becomes!

Considering that I have tried so many concealers, I was surprised when I brought home a sample of concealer that was unlike any I had ever tried.  The product is called, Stila Perfecting Concealer, and it is fantastic.  What I noticed right away about this item was the rich texture.  It is thick and creamy and slightly heavy so, a little goes a long way.  But oh, the luxury of it!  When this stuff touches your skin, you know you have a great product.  The thickness allows for great coverage but, the smoothness ensures a nice, even blend into your skin.  At $23, it is a tad pricey but, like I said, a little tube of this stuff really will last you a while.  I think it is worth the investment!  What are your favorite concealers of the moment?  Let me know!

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml;jsessionid=HXUFAKSLONKTQCV0KQNQIGQ?id=P116302&shouldPaginate=true&categoryId=3865

Buxom mascara may be better for brows

Well, I tried the Buxom Lash mascara by, Bare Escentuals, and I must say I was disappointed.  I am very picky when it comes to my lashes, I am Lash Girl after all.  The hourglass shaped wand was comfortable, and it did contour to the curve of my lashes but, I was not impressed with the amount of coverage or darkening on my lashes, even after a second coat.  I'm not looking to be the next Tammy Fey or anything, I just want a little more oomph when it comes to my lids!  The bright side is, it was free to try, and now I know that its not right for me.  However, those of you who like a soft look, and don't wear much mascara, this will give you a thin and even coat that does go on smoothly.  As for me, I'm sticking with my AVON, Super Extend mascara, its been working well for me,and I'm staying faithful!

Wand Tip:  If you are not looking to switch mascaras or, this freebie isn't the right look for you never fear!  You can still use this soft little wand as a great brow brush to smooth down those pesky brow hairs.  I can't have my readers walking around looking like, Spock!

                                                      

                                                        

                                                          

Free mascara at Sephora

Alright ladies, this is a great freebie in a large size, get excited!  I got mine today so, you won't be disappointed and this isn't a scam freebie where you have to sign up for a bunch of stuff you don't need.  Just follow the link below, Print out the voucher, and bring it to your nearest JCPenny, Sephora.  The lovely ladies at the counter will do the rest. 

The sample is called, "Buxom, Lash Mascara" and it comes in samples of black and blue.  I haven't tried mine yet but supposedly, the magic's in the wand when it comes to this mascara.  The hourglass shape of the wand is supposed to help coat the lashes fully and evenly.  Good luck ladies!  I'll have more info on this product after I try it.  And let me know how you like yours, you have until October, 22nd to grab your free gift.

Freebie Tip:  Calling ahead before you bring in your coupon might be a good idea for those of you who live far from your nearest JCPenny.  And if they run out of Buxom, ask if you can bring it in anyway to try a sample of another product.  They'll usually say, Yes!

http://f.chtah.com/i/2/95827765/092210_SIJCP_ePDF_FINAL_4.jpg

Almay, Smart Shade foundation review

I’m usually a pretty open person but, when it comes to my face, I have a lot to conceal.  Finding the right shade of foundation has always been a struggle for me because my skin is medium brown with freckles and some redness and nothing ever really blends in evenly.  For the past 6 months or so, I have been using ALMAY, TLC (truly lasting color) in the shade, “Honey.”  And though I feel that it has done the job credibly, it has never been quite perfect.  So, when I went to find a new foundation, I chose based on my limited success and picked out one that was on sale!  Luckily, it was still an ALMAY product which hasn’t irritated my sensitive skin.  However, this one was extremely different than the foundation I had been using for the past 6 months.  It is called, ALMAY, “Smart shade, Smart balance.”  When I first squeezed a little from the tube, I was a tad nervous.  The foundation comes out in a dull grey color with little dark speckles.  I applied it to my cheek in a well lit room and gave it a slight rub and viola!  The grey goop turned tan into my skin like make-up magic. What I noticed right away about this product is that it feels extremely light on the skin but there is an oil factor to it which, I need because my skin has some dryness.  I don’t have enough experience with it to make a final judgment but, I like it so far.  I will let you know more on this product in a week or so of investigating!  What foundations are you beauties wearing?  Let me know what works and what doesn’t.

Foundation Tip:  One of the best tools for perfecting the look of your foundation is to use a primer.  Unfortunately, primers are rarely advertised on television and they can be a pricey addition to your arsenal of war paint.  However, when it comes to fresh, healthy, and glowing skin, this product may be worth a splurge.  Dominique Salon make-up artist, Lilly Rivera, offers her secret to flawless foundation, “[…] I apply a thin coat of Hyaluronic Acid serum as a primer […].  It holds over one thousand times its weight in water, plumps the skin, smooths out fine lines and wrinkles, and improves the texture of the skin.”   Get ready to indulge ladies; this miracle moisturizer will set you back anywhere from 20 to 90 bucks!

Leave-In Day 6

It has been almost a week since I have washed out any conditioner and, so far, so good.  There hasn't been a dramatic change in the overall look of my hair but, there are a couple of things I have noticed.  First, my hair feels thicker.  I have always had very thick strands of hair but, the overall thickness of my hair is pretty normal.  Not thin but, not luscious.  However, since I have been leaving in my conditioner, I feel that there is some hope that I could reach luscious one day! 

The second thing I  have noticed about my hair is the obedience!  My hair is not one to lay down for any woman.  It is stubborn and always does the opposite of what I envision.  Yet, here I am at day six and I am getting ready to go out faster, my hair is behaving itself, and I get to shave five minutes or more off of my daily hair struggle.  If that isn't a reason to try this out, I don't know what is!  If any of you are trying this experiment out with me, let me know how your hair fares!

TRESemme, No-Frizz Creme review

The second product up to the plate in the TRESemme line for day old hair is their No-Frizz Creme.  This product hit a home run with me.  I have to say, I'm positive that there are other anti frizz products out there that will do as good or even better a job at zapping the naps but, for the price, you can't go wrong with this product. 

I just happened to begin using this frizz fighter during a particularly rainy streak in the weather.  It is usually quite humid where I'm from but, when it rains, forget your hair and wear a hat!  But this stuff surprisingly kept my frizz in check.  My hair wasn't extra spectacular, not out of the ordinary, just normal.  However, in this city, in that rain, normal is a miracle!  This product is also universal for all hair types so, there's no guessing game when it comes to your frizz.

TRESemme: Fresh Start line; a review

I've been seeing the commercials lately for TRESemme's new line of "day old hair" renewers and, the advertisements had me very curious.  So I got the whole line and have been using the Dry shampoo from time to time.  What I have found is that, in theory, this product should work great but, in reality its probably not for everyone.  I bought the straight hair formula, went without a wash for a day, and sprayed the shampoo in a can throughout my mane.  I let the stuff sit for a minute, then brushed my hair.  Sticky!  My hair didn't feel renewed, just a sticky and gritty feeling.  The good news about the product is that it smells really good, and if you are the type who's scalp gets a little funky after a day of not shampooing, this stuff might be worth a shot. 

Here's where I think it all went wrong.  My hair is dry.  My scalp is dry.  I don't get that oily feel to my hair if I don't wash it for a day, it stays pretty balanced.  I can see how this product might work out great for those with oily scalp and hair because its tough to skip a wash when your noggin feels greasy or has an odor.  You ladies with oily hair are going to have to try it out for yourselves and let me know how it pans out.  I do not recommend this product for those with normal or dry hair, despite what the label says. In the meantime, I'm going to pass my bottle of, Fresh Start Dry Shampoo, around my circle and will report my findings soon!

NIVEA Natural Tone body lotion works great on skin discoloration from pregnancy

Pregnancy was one of the highlights of my life.  The massive weight gain, the night sweats, the urge to eat a turkey sandwich and Doritos at 9am, the odd discolorations on various parts of my body, etc.  Okay, like most women, I experienced some not so great moments during my pregnancy.  Thankfully, most of it fades in time but, for me, some of those skin discolorations didn't fade with everything else.  Enter, NIVEA Natural Tone: Body Lotion for an Even Skin Tone.  Folks from NIVEA, if you are reading this, thank you!  I was extremely lucky and tried this product on a whim when my Palmer's, cocoa butter formula ran dry.  I had these dark patches of skin on my hips post pregnancy that bugged me.  But, after using this product for about a month, the patches faded dramatically and most completely disappeared.

Cons to Consider: This product comes with an SPF 4 which, I admit, is pretty skimpy.  However, for those unsightly places where pregnancy discoloration may occur i.e., nipples, hips, behind the neck, and below the belly button SPF isn't really a big deal.  Who needs SPF where the sun don't shine?  Also, as far as moisturizing goes, this is not a great product for those of us with thirsty skin.  Load up on this stuff to treat your discolorations but, use another product for your moisturizing needs.  Let me know what you think!

Many Consumers are upset with unwanted charges from Dermitage

There has been a recent article from the website, Beauty User, hailing their top three anti-aging skincare products.  To my readers, this posting is a word of warning.  The number 1 beauty product according to this site is a product called, Dermitage, which combats the signs of aging and works to preserve a youthful glow in skin.  I have not tried this product so, I can not give my opinion on that aspect one way or another.  What does concern me is that, there is a link to "Try it free" on this consumer website which then asks for your credit card info so that a shipping fee can be charged to you for a free 14 day trial.  If you type this offer into Google, you will get a host of results from sites like, pissed consumer, that say Dermitage charged shipping and then a few days later, charged $98 to the same credit card.  Whats more, many consumers found it difficult to get their money back for this charge, getting the run around from Dermitage.  My advice is not to try this trial offer unless you can afford to deal with this very potential problem.

At the moment, the only way to purchase this product is through the Dermitage website, and they do not have any product out on the public market.  This is still a very new product and, although it received rave reviews by some, many others remain skeptical.  The warning here: give this product some time to mature on the market, and the company some time to get itself together a bit more in terms of, "free trials."

Leave In...Day 2

Well, there's good news and not so good news.  I did not notice a huge improvement immediately after my shower.  It took immense effort to even stop myself from rinsing my hair.  Not to mention the enormous hair doll I made when I combed my conditioner ridden locks.  I named it Hairison.  I took the blow dryer to my hair on cool until it was mostly dry and then, warm to zap out the remaining moisture.  What I did notice immediately was how unhealthy my hair really looks.  It seems that the conditioner weighed down the normal strands, and all the damaged strands were waving on top of my head like kinked-up flags. 

This morning however, my hair felt softer and I could tell that the strands were coated by a semi-waxy feel.  I couldn't get it to lay the way I wanted for me to wear my hair down but, it did give me the confidence to rock a ponytail instead of a bun.  So, I guess its baby steps with this method.  I graduated from hot librarian to hot cop!  I'll check in with you ladies next week on my progress with this hair experiment!

Frizz Tip:  There are many great products that are affordable and made with the sole intention of zapping your naps!  Nathaniel Hawkins, hairstylist to the stars and spokesperson for TRESemme Professional European Hair Care, recommends TRESemme Anti-Frizz Styling Secret.  I will be trying a product from TRESemme's newest line, FRESH START, called No-Frizz Creme.  And what's great about this product is that it is designed to work even when your hair is unwashed. Oh, and FYI, this little baby is a bargain at 5.49! I'll keep you ladies posted on the frizz fighting capabilities! 

Shop Now: http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=265181&catid=79961&aid=337953&aparam=tresemme_freshstart_no_f&CAWELAID=507239725

Leave-in your rinse-out conditioner for healthier hair

I never know what to do with my hair.  It is long, with thick strands, and it dries out very easily.  I always end up hair spraying the heck out of it and slicking it back into a tight, severe bun.  But there are only so many nights of the week that I can play hot librarian with my husband or hot substitute teacher.  I want to be the kind of girl who can pull my hair out of a ponytail, shake my head, and my luscious locks just fall perfectly into place. 

And thus begins my quest for great hair! 

Experiment #1:  I am going to use my regular conditioner as a leave-in.  The product I usually buy is, Suave Naturals, in the scent, "Tropical Coconut."  I LOVE the scent of coconut in hair product, by the way, it leaves hair smelling sweet but subtle.  So, tonight's mission is to shower as usual, load my hair up with my Suave Naturals conditioner, and not rinse it out.  Then, I will blow dry and brush my hair as normal.  I will report my findings in the morning when I inspect the damage or revel in the glory!  Wish me luck, ladies, my hair needs a little luck right now.

NIVEA, A Kiss of Rejuvenation; review

One of the products I always carry with me is a good lip balm.  At the moment, my fave is NIVEA, "A Kiss of Rejuvenation."  I bought this product on a whim during a trip to the grocery store.  My eight-year-old daughter was talking my ear off and my one-year-old son was getting cranky in the cart and, well...Mommy needed a little motivation to shop on!  I'm so glad I bought this product!  Immediately upon application, my lips felt a smoothness and an instant shot of moisture all at once.  Usually, these balms feel pretty waxy, but this one glides on and stays slippery smooth.  The product contains a penetration enhancer called, Octinoxate, which helps the effects of application last long after its faded away.  And the product contains Q10 which helps to combat free radicals, one of the causes of aging.  It works so well on my chapped kissers that my husband even borrows mine from time to time, when his lips are feeling extra crispy!

Cons to Consider: This product has a strange taste, almost like licking lotion, that seems to linger as long as you're wearing it.  It also comes in a squeeze tube instead of a handier stick.

Dry Lip Tip:  Those of us with chronically dry lips need to make lip service a nightly routine.  Beauty editor and author, Nada Manley, offers this advice, "I apply right after I brush my teeth.  Make sure [...] lips are dry first, or balm won't go on smoothly and chapped lips will get worse, not better."

Shop Now: http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=191234

AVON Super Extend mascara lengthens lashes without clumps

Ah, Mascara. I was in a bind for the past few months about mascara because my favorite was discontinued by Maybelline. I even thought about signing the petition out there to bring back Maybelline Lash Stylist, which was replaced by Lash Stiletto. Worst replacement ever, by the way. The Lash Stiletto applicator is a frisky red, and that is the extent of the innovation. The thing looks and feels like a pipe cleaner as it scrapes across your lashes. Worse still, the tube opening is so small that you are never able to load up the applicator, because it always gets scraped back into the tube through that teeny tiny opening. I even bought some falsies because I was sure that I had tried all the brands in my price range and, the way I go through mascara, I couldn't afford anything expensive. Enter my trusty Avon Rep who was selling one of her more popular mascaras in her bargain basket for three dollars. I was super skeptical but, how could I not try it for three measly bucks?

Best decision ever! The product is called, AVON Super Extend Mascara, and the name says it all. Firstly, it comes in a good sized tube so, you don't feel cheated like you can with some of these skinny tubes for the same price. I can get some upper eyelid irritation with certain mascaras, but this one did not itch or irritate my skin, awesome. Best of all, my lashes did look full, separated, and longer, hallelujah! I like it even better than my long lost Lash Stylist, R.I.P. The applicator isn't as unique looking as you'd think but, upon close inspection you can see that there are numerous rigid little bristles which coat even your finest, tiniest lashes. The magic's in the wand! And, the applicator comes in a fun yellow so, take that Stiletto pipe cleaner! AVON Super Extend mascara gets an A, for Awesome eye hair! AVON Super Extend comes in black, navy, brown, and brown black.

Clumpy Tip: If you find that your mascara is going on too clumpy, close your tube and run it under hot water for half a minute. Then, wiggle your magic wand and re-apply. You'll find that your mascara goes on much smoother.

Shop Now: http://shop.avon.com/shop/product.aspx?pf_id=38673

Glazewear, a review

One of the best products AVON has out is their Glazewear Lip Gloss. I got my Glazewear for free from my rep and instantly loved the product. What makes this product different from other glosses out there is that it goes on smooth and does not feel heavy or sticky on my lips. I hate the feeling of my lips getting stuck to eachother when I am speaking and wearing a gloss, or that crusty feeling when the gloss begins to fade or dry. But this is not the case with Glazewear. This product not only allows the free movement of both the upper and lower lip but, it stays moist and fades away naturally rather than crusting onto your face. I enjoy this stuff so much that, when I began to run out, I actually began to dream about my little tube of gloss, quickly running dry. Thankfully, my trusty Avon Rep hooked me up before my nightmare became a reality. *shudder*

Color Tip: I have a hard time picking a color to wear on my lips because they are already naturally tinted a reddish-brown color. However, Glazewear's, "Apple Cinnamon," looks amazing on my lips. I have recently heard from some of my lighter skinned friends that Apple Cinnamon is a favorite with them too. So if you need a more universal color to try out for your first tint of Glazewear, try the Apple Cinnamon!






Shop Now: http://shop.avon.com/shop/product.aspx?pf_id=37553