whipping coconut oil?!

Enjoy the use of coconut oil but hate that you have to scoop it out of a jar, warm it up in your hands and then apply it? Or, balance it on the shelf of the tub or in the corner of the shower so you can let it warm up and melt before applying it? Well, let me rock your world with Whipped Coconut Oil.

Recently, when I ran out of coconut oil that I previously put in the jar in my bathroom I decided I’d give whipping it a try. I had read that you could do it and people liked it, but never actually wanted to put the effort in. My skeptical husband and his brother watched me as I scooped out the oil and put it in the mini food processor. I turned it on and let it go for a minute and poof – creamy goodness! Even they made comment on how it whipped!

The consistency is very smooth after whipping – very light and fluffy. It isn’t liquidy but it isn’t solid either. I thought after it cooled down from the whipping process it may solidify a little more but I was wrong. This stayed light and fluffy even after I transferred it to my jar and put it back in the bathroom. I will say that it has more of an oily consistency but then again, it’s oil. It immediately melts in your hand and makes applying extremely easy. The only downside is I need to scoop more often as when you put some in your hand it’s very liquidy so you don’t get as much. Bottom line – I’ll continue to whip it, it just makes it easier!

 

One great, one not so great, product

Browsing through Sephora I decided to ask the rep about their more “natural” products as I knew I needed to replace my beloved Clinique Even Better Moisturizer (which I must say that I LOVE!) solely due to baby and my not being able to use the active ingredient. I have been using Coconut Oil, which is great for a moisturizer, but unfortunately if it gets near my mascara it makes it smudge too easily. So, the venture for a new lotion was started.

Call me skeptical, a pain in the butt, whatever you want but I grabbed a few samples based on the rep’s advice and then researched them. The one I ended up thinking would be the best to try was Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Mattifying Fluid:

This stuff uses Organic Grape Water…which apparently is filtered rain water which then goes through the grape plant. It supposedly decreases skin sensitivity and improves hydration. I don’t know if this is true, nor do I really care, because the lotion is great. It’s not a heavy winter moisturizer at all but it’s great for skin that is a little dry or tight but not flaking or cracking. I haven’t broken out at all, I don’t get shiny and it smells great and spreads super easy like water (go figure). I typically use this during the day, then the coconut oil at night (if needed).

On the flip side, I found one product that I will recommend you stay away from if you use makeup. Avalon Organics Vitamin C Renewal Cleansing Milk seemed like a great idea. It’s a milk, which is usually more moisturizing, it smelled fantastic (I have a thing for citrus smells!) and it was organic and inexpensive.

I will start by saying this is gentle, smells great and does leave your skin more moisturized than a lot of cleansers I’ve used. But, this doesn’t take off makeup very well at all. Each night I end up with raccoon eyes and I get my towel marked with mascara and then need a tissue to wipe the circles off of my face. Product fail. Maybe that’s the trade off for it’s benefits but I’ll finish this up as a morning cleanser in the shower and will continue on my search for a new cleanser…after I scold Target for discontinuing to carry my favorite facial wash. And fantastik. The nerve…

 

Checklist Challenge Recap and lessons learned

Finding time to do the items on a ‘to do’ list can be a challenge in it’s own. The list I set out to accomplish earlier last year has had it’s up’s and down’s. Here’s a recap on the projects, the progress made, challenges encountered and most importantly…lessons learned for the pending 2014 list!

List of success!

1. Make a shower curtain to fit my very odd sized shower.

This fell to the bottom of my list as the bathroom wasn’t painted and I lost those pesky sewing machine instructions. I eventually ended up making this and it was quite easy! Accomplishing this did require me to take a day out of work, but it was worth it. I felt like I not only accomplished something, but also learned!! Now you’re probably asking what I could have learned from making a shower curtain? I learned to plan a project every other month that required the sewing machine. This will eliminate the stupid mistakes and reduce my project frustration!

2. Paint the master suite. All of it – bedroom, walk in closer/sewing room, bathroom and hallway.

Yeha, we went from yellow sponge paint and a pinkish brown wall to a serene gray palate. I was worried that gray was going to be blah, but I learned to accessorize for color, which conveniently is a very easy and cheap change to make when I get off of my aqua whim and move onto something else…

5. Make a beautiful twist/braided pearl necklace for summer.

OK, I did this but I didn’t realize how hard it was going to be. I thought you threaded a few strands, attached those to the clasp and poof, necklace! This required measuring strands for the beads, determining how many beads were needed for each strand based on the mm size of the bead, and then getting my husband to help me do the “twist” part to put it all together. In the end, I didn’t any $ and definitely did not save any time!

6. Read more blogs, a newspaper or watch the news for at least an hour during the week and an hour on the weekends.

Ding ding ding, I accomplished this one! Making a conscious effort to get home earlier I get to turn the news on. I have discovered that the news repeats over and over and over again though. Boring. But thanks for all my fellow bloggers, I’ve had a delightful time reading blogs this year!

7. Building myself a shoe closet.

My husband bought a saw and I came home to a shoe closet ! Yes, it still needs to be painted but at least I’ve got shelves!

9. Create some sort of a picture or piece of wall art for the dining room.

Hm, we didn’t do this but we did get a huge Dell’s Lemonade canvas for the kitchen. That wasn’t anticipated but extremely needed so I’m going to allow for the swap 🙂 Plus, my in-laws bought us a pretty cool fish sculpture so that filled the need!

10. Create a “regular post” of something.

I did this with my bedroom makeover but unfortunately the challenge I picked I found not to work at all. I did learn that I just need to plan out my projects and spend some time at home to accomplish them. Home sweet home!

List of ‘I didn’t do so well’:

3. Make a piece of clothing for myself.

Well, this didn’t happen. I did hem/fix a bunch of clothes that I already own though, so now I can actually wear them. Maybe in 2014 I’ll aim to make something for baby!

4. Gut and design a new half bath/laundry area.

Designed yes, started the project, no. I realized that projects involve a lot of think ahead planning and coordination! I never realized you had to order sinks and toilets 6-8 weeks before the contractor needed them! But… item’s are ordered and on their way, so that’s a plus!

8. Make pillows for the living room.

Um, no. I actually found some really cool ones at Home Goods so I’m crossing this off the list!

11. Make curtains for the living room.

OK we haven’t gotten to the living room yet. It needs paint first, but my husband insists this is after the baby’s room is done so we’re looking at late 2014, hah!

12. Make curtains for the office.

See #11.

13. Redo the guest room.

In progress. As I learned with the bedroom makeover, plan plan plan. Step 1: Convince hubby as to what needs to go to the donation center! (done). Step 2: Somehow convince husband to paint the room when he paints the baby’s room. Hm…

so my biggest takeaway from 2013 is to make realistic projects and plans, plans, plans! Also, take more pictures and be better at posting updates. Maybe the posting of 2013 projects will be a 2015 goal!

A whole new batch of January product reviews!

Why is it that you always want what you can’t have? These past few months have been interesting. Being a first time mommy-to-be but no one else knowing, it’s been hard to switch products or try new products without letting on. It’s also been interesting trying to find ‘healthy’ product options and giving up tried, true and oh so loved products that I’ve used for years! But, I will admit sometime nature needs to take a backseat for happiness…so not all these are ‘healthy’!

Maybelline Soft and Full Waterproof Mascara

This past Thanksgiving, I found myself laying down at my in-laws thinking of my pending trip to the Bahamas. At that moment I realized I didn’t have waterproof mascara thanks to the failure of a ‘waterproof’ mascara I tried when I went to St. Lucia. So, I began googling. I then began pulling up website recommendations on Amazon to read buyer reviews. I settled on a few, depending on what Target had in stock. I bought the Maybelline Soft and Full Waterproof Mascara.

Having used the regular version of this in the past, I knew I liked the product just didn’t love it. But as long as it was waterproof and I wouldn’t look tired on my entire vacation, I was game. I bought it the next day. Fast forward a few days and I was in the Bahamas, contemplating if I should wear it on a snorkel/swim catamaran trip. I tried it on, washed my face, rubbed my eyes. So far so good. I decided to try it, but tell my husband he had to tell me if I looked like raccoon eyes! I put on oil free sunscreen, swam, rubbed my eyes, etc. It never budged. In fact, the only time I had mini-raccoon eyes was after washing it off with soap, which a second application of soap fixed. Verdict? Great buy!

Price: $5-8 depending on store

Look: Mainly darkening. It didn’t add much length but with the fat brush it did reach all of my lashes! I only found this in Black, but I didn’t find it to be harsh.

Performance: Really good. Lasted through swimming, needed a double soap application to remove. Left lashes soft.

Overall: I will use this as my summertime mascara when going to the beach.

Palmers Body Butter

After I told people I was expecting, I received a lot of comments about stretch marks. Now, I’ve read that they’re hereditary so no cream will really save you but I a) didn’t want to take a chance and b) was experiencing the New England beginning of winter itchy, dry and tight skin. So, I bought the butter. I slather this stuff on like it’s going out of style, but it lasts a long time.

Price: $6 for the 3.5oz jar

Feel: In the jar, this is tough to get out…especially the first ‘scoop’. It’s a solid (not a cream) and very thick. It requires you to scoop some into your hands and then rub your hands to melt it. Once on your body it creates a very silky, almost oily look. It’s smooth as butta 😉

Performance: Works so well to keep your skin hydrated. I could get away with applying once a day, but I love it too much that I do morning and evening. Instantly your skin feels hydrated and soft, even if before you applied the butter it felt like alligator skin. If I could I would melt this and take a bath in it. Seriously.

Overall: Love it for a moisturizing agent, not just for pregnancy. It does smell like a burnt coconut which I have a love/hate relationship with (love coconuts, hate burnt) but it works so well and the scent isn’t overpowering that I just don’t care. I’ll buy this again and again…especially now that they have a paraben free one (works just as well, I have that too)!

Shea Moisture Body Wash: Olive & Green Tea

Price: $8.99 for the 13oz size at Target

Consistency: A liquidy gel and yes, it really is a green/yellow color, very similar to olive oil color!

Performance: This stuff suds up like a kids bubble bath! I drizzle it over my body pouf similar to how they drizzle caramel sauce on top of my Starbucks latte and it’s plenty for a shower! It’s very light feeling and the suds wash off very easily. It really does seem to be hydrating though, which I noticed after using a while that one of the first ingredients is coconut related – and you may know how I back coconuts!

Smell: This is a very mild smelling product. It doesn’t smell like olive, green tea or avocados, it actually doesn’t have much of a smell at all. This is the only dislike I really have for the product as I really love a great fresh smell in the morning.

Overall: Really good product. It’s natural (woohoo!) and works really well from lathering to cleaning/hydrating and it’s cheaper than many other natural products. I wish the smell was a little more fresh (maybe more green tea?) but in no way shape or form will that keep me from buying another bottle! It will replace my Cetaphil bar (sorry Cetaphil, I loved you as a winter soap for a couple years but this is natural!).

Maybelline: Color show #300 (Fuchsia Fever)

Price: $4.29 from CVS

Color: The color in the bottle is great. It looks glossy and is a bright purple. I was excited to try this as a fall/winter/early spring color.

Performance: Awful. I didn’t expect a flat color. I want to know where the shine went as soon as I put it on my nails?! Also, the color isn’t incredibly thick so it takes a couple of coats. I would have been OK with the extra coats if there was a shine to the product.

Misc: This is formaldehyde, DBP and Toluene free.

Overall: Extremely disappointed. I haven’t used this again and won’t buy another in any other colors. While I love that it’s formaldehyde, dbp and toluene free I can’t get past the horrible lack of a sheen in the finish or the fact that it was so thin.

NOW…I know I already did a post on Coconut Oil, BUT, I keep falling in love with this product more and more so I have to mention it again.

I’m truly amazed by this product. Yes, it started as a search for a facial moisturizer but it quickly amounted to more. The hydrating powers of this stuff is amazing, really. I got pneumonia a week or so ago and could barely stand up so a lot of things were pushed by the wayside. I continued to use the coconut oil on my face but that was all I could muster the energy for. Two days ago my hands were red and scaly, like a poor fish fin. I finally sucked it up enough to get to the bathroom and get the oil. One application overnight and no more redness. Another application this morning and boom, almost back to normal. I’ve also noticed (because there’s not much else to do when you lay in bed 24 hours a day) that my nails are in the best shape ever, including cuticles. My husband even comments on how soft my skin is… a first in the 6 years I’ve known him (and at my oldest!). I don’t understand the magic of this stuff but love it. And if you google it you can even read on WedMD or other websites the many different uses such as diaper rashes, for your hair, psoriasis, mouth cleanser, etc.

 

my favorite things of 2013!

Instead of doing a December/January product review post I have decided to compile a listing of my favorite things that I have found during 2013. These are products or just ‘things’ that I do not want to live without, and may actually cry if I ever thought that I had to!

Let me just remind you…I don’t work for any of these products, I don’t get paid to try or endorse any, etc. I just like to buy and try products. And the fact that I go on kicks such as buying natural or being addicted to sephora’s website, well, it makes it easy but it’s also a problem. So these are the items that I fell in long-term love with and don’t feel the need to trial others because right now, I can’t imagine loving anything more!

1. Willa Foaming Facial Wash

This stuff is just purely awesome. It is already foamed when it comes out so it requires very little effort and takes off makeup without any trouble. It also smells wonderful. I was scared this would be a ‘teen’ product but have fallen in love with it. Thank you Target for carrying this product!

2. Benefit’s ‘They’re Real” Mascara

Talk about fooling people that they’re real…but without the spidery look. I fell in love with this when I got the sample in my birthday pack from Sephora in February. I longed for the full size tube and ever since buying it, I’ve fallen even more in love with it. It’s nice to get compliments on your eyes even when you feel like you look like you just woke up from a hibernating bear’s nap…

3. Starbucks Iced Caramel Macciato, made with half the syrup

OK, this may be the biggest score of the year. This drink is absolutely addictive. It’s winter here in New England and I HATE the cold, but I still LOVE this and will still order it. I will bundle myself up in a down coat, scarf and mittens and be found drinking this!

4. Coconut Oil

My fellow bumpies had recommended this for trouble skin while pregnant. My alternatives were $25 bottles of lotions or try some coconut oil which I already had in my baking cabinet. Being hesitant I did some research and read that organic coconut oil is naturally antibacterial, antiviral, anti fungal, and antimicrobial. It can also be used as a natural diaper rash remedy and *many* other uses – just google it! So, I tried it figuring I didn’t have much to loose and I ended up loving it. It has made my skin so much better (baby to be, take that!) and while it’s oil it’s not greasy at all and doesn’t need to be applied multiple times a day. LOVE love love this!

5. KitchenAid – Ice cream attachment

Typically I just buy my splurge foods as trying to make them never turns out right. Except for this one. Home made ice cream. By far the best food I’ve made this year and will continue to make. So simple, so fresh, so good. If you have one of these, try the strawberry ice cream I just made (and devoured)!

6. Boscia BB Cream

I can’t believe I found a BB cream I actually like. I love the light coverage that hides imperfections. The minor shimmer it adds just makes me feel like peaches and cream… well, almost.

7. Grilled Artichokes

These may be my favorite vegetable. The grilled flavor along with the garlic and lime juice it’s just SO good. I could eat them for every meal. In fact, I’ve had multiple AS my meal!

8. Hunter Rain Boots

I never posted on these but am in LOVE with them. I actually enjoy the days where it pours outside and I get to wear them. I have to thank my wonderful hubby for buying them for me…along with the cozy socks that go inside of them! It’s nice to feel a little stylish pickup when it’s gray, wet and raw outside.

9. Clarisonic Mia

Honestly, I thought that this was going to be the biggest crock of a product and I expected to have to return it. Shockingly, I really love this product and can’t even do without it for an overnight. I am actually so in love that I’m trying to get my husband to use it too. I’m still shocked that I like this so much. Also, if you’re considering purchasing, go with the Mia, you don’t really need the bells and whistles of the higher priced models!

To make or not to make: A Christmas Tree Skirt

I think Christmas tree skirts can be adorable. They have ones with sparkle, faux fur, ruffles, etc. But, I just have a very hard time justifying the price of them. I mean seriously, $129 for a tree skirt?

Thanks to Margie,  I’m a little addicted to the idea of making one after she sent me a DIY from a blog…last season. I don’t really want anything complicated – no patchwork, no appliques all over the place, no multi-layers of ruffles. Something simple like those below.

But the question is…do I really want to invest my time in making these? I have enough other items on my Checklist Challenge (2013) to still complete! HAVE ANY OF YOU MADE ONE?!

*new* product reviews!

Recently I went back on an organic-y healthy-ish kick, which basically means I’m comparing products available to me and trying to pick the least harmful while still finding products that I can fall in love with. Here are my opinionated views 🙂

Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse

Consistency: Interesting but in a good way. This seems like a normal liquid formula when you dispense it. It’s not fluffy like mousse at all. When you put it on it’s like silk, it just glides on so easily. It covers well, so it’s not that it’s a sheer formula, it just spreads really well.

Color/Coverage: Colors are really good. This is one of the only companies I have been able to easily find a shade to match my skin. There were probably 3 that would have worked, but I was actually able to narrow down to a perfect fit (Natural Beige). They use the same colors between their different lines as well so it makes it very easy to switch (I used to use the ColorStay formula). The coverage is medium, covers spots and blemishes easily but can be spot applied to add a little more coverage, without looking caked on. I find this formula less cakey than the ColorStay formula as well.

Smell: Nothing that stands out. Which I’m thankful for. I hate makeup that smells…

Price: $9+. I bought this at CVS with a 25% off coupon and a $3 ExtraBucks coupon so I didn’t pay much. But, I’ve had my bottle of ColorStay for probably 3 years, so the $9 would have been worth it. Yes yes I know that 3 years reaches beyond the “after it’s opened for 24 months discard it” rule. Woops.

Overall: Very good and worth a try! Oh, and I use EGW to check out the environmental concerns of makeup. This one did really well, better than many other drugstore and department store lines!

 

The Honest Company – This is Jessica Alba’s company which sells a plethora of household and personal items which are better for you than many of the other options out there. Being a one stop shop, it’s quite convenient to get everything you need. From toothpaste to dishwasher pods to vitamins, you can buy the items on her website. Or, you can shop at Target and pick the ingredient labels apart, spending your whole night wondering if you’re getting dooped into buying “natural” when it’s really not. I decided to give The Honest Company a shot just because of my last statement.

Toothpaste

Consistency: Like fluff. Seriously, I think it’s been whipped with air. It’s so light, so fluffy.

Taste: Minty baking soda. I’m torn on this. It’s certainly not my Colgate, but it does bring me back to the days of my nana’s box of baking soda on the sink. I can get used to it!

Cost: $5.95. A bit higher than the ones you buy in the store, but even Toms of Maine you can’t find sulfate free toothpaste!

Overall: B. I like it, I can get used to it, I am willing to pay the extra $ for the peace of mind. Downside, I just want the taste and consistency of my Colgate! (Maybe I’m just a creature of habit)

Shampoo/Body Wash

Consistency: This is a thin gel, light caramel color. It lathers extremely well, much better than I could have anticipated when I bought it. I have tried it as a shampoo but still prefer my good smelling Matrix. I know I know, I’ve tried a ton of sulfate free ones and I just never love them over time. However, as a body wash, this is pretty good. I use it with a body poof and I don’t need a ton – just a Z across the poof and I’m ready to suds up.

Smell: There is none. I don’t get it. None. Nada. Baffles me every morning.

Price: $9.95. Torn. Burt’s Bees Body Wash is the same price but you get more and they have yummy smells. But, they may not be as “free” as this one.

Overall: Torn. Just torn. I never realized how much I value bright smelling products in the shower.

Dishwasher Rinse Aid

Results: Finally, clear dishes. We always have spots. Always.  The thought of harsh chemicals being used in the dishwasher when you’re going to ingest the food off of your plates later just disgusts me. I filled our dishwasher with this and have done a handful of washes now and the glasses come out cleaner and cleaner every time. I’m actually really digging the results of this product. Shocked, but happy!

Price: $5.95.

Overall: Keeper, hands down. I now want to try the dishwasher pods. Finally it’s nice to have a final rinse product which leaves your dishes spotless and you don’t have to worry about.

Checklist challenge check-in

Back in June I created a  Checklist Challenge for myself. 13 things that I wanted to get done before the end of 2013. As usual, I procrastinated on many of them, either because I didn’t know how to do them or I decided I had another project I wanted to do first. Well, here’s an update on those I’ve started or completed and my experience with each!

1. Make a shower curtain to fit my very odd sized shower.

Done! I finally realized I could google directions, or better yet find the instructions! Glad I did as this project took me nearly no time to complete. I made it an even simpler project too, I didn’t use grommets or anything, I bought these little curtain rod hooks that allow me to easily hang the curtain and even easier to take it down to wash it. No more dealing with unhooking the rings while balancing on the edge of the shower and having to struggle to get the curtain down. I’ll post pictures soon!

2. Paint the master suite. All of it – bedroom, walk in closer/sewing room, bathroom and hallway.

Done! I somehow arranged to pick out paint, buy it with a Sherwin Williams coupon and then get the painter in. I’m SO glad I went forward with this. Expensive but it’s amazing how much a difference a coat of paint in a normal color makes!

5. Make a beautiful twist/braided pearl necklace for summer.

Ugh, half done. I bought the beads on firemountaingems.com and then strung them. Now I need to twist them so I can attach the other half of the clasp but I need my husband to help me with this part. They’re really pretty jade and yellow too. Hopefully they’re “in” next summar!

10. Create a “regular post” of something. I like my friend Margie’s idea when she was doing the Friday Photos… Check out her blog The Recovery and Reinvestment Project!

I am going to say Done as I’m posting my bedroom makeover project. Not that this will be a forever project but I’ll be sure to swap out when I am done with it next week.

Bedroom challenge…week 2

Are you familiar with the feeling of everything going along at a slow pace, then all of a sudden it’s put into high gear? I hate it. I like a nice steady pace. I like organization.

Day 8: Choose a paint color and think about decor ‘pairing’.

Well, I select my paint color. I selected my accent colors. I’m pinning ideas like they’re going out of style.

Day 9: Research your decor pairing project or product.

OK, I need quite a few things to make this bedroom my style. Curtain rods, curtains, lamps, artwork, a rug and doorknobs.

Day 10: Make a shopping list and a budget.

Well, looking at my findings yesterday and knowing that in the bedroom and adjacent room I need a total of 14 curtain panels, maybe I need to revisit my budget. But, I made my list yesterday so I’ve already beat this challenge down! 😉

Day 11: Plan a Labor Day get-together to celebrate the space.

Did I miss the memo in the beginning of this project that stated it had to be a public room? Sorry, but I’m not hosting a soiree in my bedroom. Day 11, I am going to dedicate you to focusing on making the shower curtain instead of this project.

Day 12: Shop until you drop.
I’d love to but let’s be realistic, in order to afford the house with the room I’m redoing and the stuff to redo it with, I work. And today is a business day. So instead, on lunch I perused the Internet. I found a great number of items, but half of the fun is going to the store and bringing home all the goods. But, I love this comforter:

Additionally, check out this blanket for when it’s not so cold outside! I love the dual colors of this, as well as the fact that it’s silk and has a little texture to it.

Day 13: Make some project progress.

The weekend was hectic so this didn’t happen. I was barely home long enough to pack a new bag to the beach. Hey, what can I say, there are limited days left this year that I can go to the beach! I’ll have to make this up during the upcoming week.

Day 14: Go with the flow.

Sit back, relax and think about the project. Um, OK, again this email challenge seems pointless. But, again, busy weekend, I’m happy to oblige. One thing I did today though, I looked for a West Elm coupon to try to get my rug. I didn’t find anything 😦

pinterest addiction continues.

On Friday it was unbearably hot, almost 100, which isn’t common for New England. So, what better to do than pin. Here are some of my favorites…Happy Monday!

The perfect idea for a beach day with girlfriends…

A sockbun addiction. I can make this into a bridesmaid hair style, right?

And a little healthy breakfast idea that looks oh so good!

To feed my wedding addiction, I just think this picture is spectacular.

And lastly, as it’s still hot outside… tell me this doesn’t look like a delicious fruit treat!

product reviews, take 3

This time I’m not on a mission to buy anything in particular; just feeding my sick obsession with beauty products!

Here’s a variety of products which I’ve tried recently, including my probably too honest thoughts!

Oscar Blandi – Pronto Invisible Volumizing Dry Shampoo Spray

In one sentence? Awful and pointless.

I have been using the Oscar Blandi – Dry Shampoo powder for years. It has a bit of a perfume smell to it and I wanted a spray for convenience but after trying this spray I can honestly say the scent and powder is the way to go. The spray doesn’t smell good, it doesn’t make any difference on hair at all and it costs a lot ($11 for a small spray can)! There are no good sides to this product except its packaging style.

Smashbox – Photo Finish Color Correcting

Overall? Nice but not a winner for anything but redness.

This is a nice product that does reduce redness (I was shocked) and gives you an incredibly soft feeling (like a baby’s bum) finish, initially. I did have some issues with my BB cream not spreading over this, but not consistently. I also found that this didn’t reduce shine for the long haul and I still went back to my trusty Smashbox – Photo Matte Anti-Shine mid-day. In the end, I won’t be buying unless I have a lot of redness that I need to combat.

Side note: The Smashbox – Photo Finish Foundation Primer initially had the same nice finish as this, with the exception of the redness reduction. There was nothing positive about this one by mid-day though. Save your $36…

Living Proof – Prime Style Extender

This one I’m on the fence about. In order to achieve results you need to use a lot of product. The positive is that it doesn’t weigh hair down and it doesn’t create a greasy look at all. It also makes your hair incredibly soft and you’ll feel like a movie star when you run your fingers through your hair! The down side? Not only the $20 cost (if you use a lot it goes rather quickly) but also the fact that it doesn’t really do much other than soften. I didn’t see any difference in fighting humidity frizz, nor did I find that I could extend my style and not wash my hair as often. In the end I use this for special occasions or if I’m going to be in the wind. I love the softness but just don’t feel like the benefits really outweigh the cost.

Maybelline – SuperStay 24HR Makeup

Keeps on kickin! This is the first foundation that I actually feel is natural yet effective. It covers imperfections from dark eye circles to blemishes without drying out your skin and without looking heavy. It also blends really well. I’ve tested the expiration date and still love it. Best $10 I’ve spent on a true foundation. I’m sad mine has eventually come to the bottom of the jar… But, I will be smiling all the way to the drugstore as I pass up my previous $30-something bottles of department store foundations. Note: I use this for bad skin days  and more as a concealer than for daily wear. If you want a great daily wear/very natural option check out my review on Boscia BB Cream!

life revamp…

It seems like every morning I’m late. I get up earlier, I’m still late. Nothing seems to make a difference.

Yesterday I decided the only way I might actually be on time is to get up super early and do something productive. So, I asked my mommy friends to text me when they get up. I figure this has to work. Friends texting friends. Motivating, right?

Well, this morning I got my first text. I ignored it and thought “I’ll start tomorrow”. I then quickly realized I could work from home and this would give me that extra hour – padded with the extra sleep I needed.

In my moment of motivation, another “I need a life makeover and some motivation” friend and fellow blogger and I decided to pick daily challenges. We will start small, get larger. Look to enrich our lives. Nightly we will select our challenge and post it, along with our goal, status and any additional thoughts from that day. This has to work, right?

Today’s challenges?

Andrea – take all the houseplants outside and wash them down and water them. Time to get the plants in shape (then me next). This seems simple but lets face it, the clay pots are heavy.

Margie – drink more water to balance out the love for coffee. Don’t eat any chocolate to break the addiction!

~Checklist challenge (2013)~

Reading the blog of one of my readers, Alanna, I really loved her 30 things to do before 30 post. Reading this really made me think… I envision myself doing all these projects but then I just don’t do them, and I WANT to do them. So, publicly I am announcing 13 things that I want to do between now and the end of 2013.
1. Make a shower curtain to fit my very odd sized shower. I bought the goods to do this months ago. I’ve since lost the instructions on how to thread my sewing machine and am too lazy to youtube it. Plus, our bathroom isn’t painted yet so I just don’t see the point in finishing this project quite yet. But, that leads to #2.

2. Paint the master suite. All of it – bedroom, walk in closer/sewing room, bathroom and hallway. At least we’re on the painter’s list, right?

3. Make a piece of clothing for myself. I’m thinking a Maxi dress. Did I mention I don’t know how to thread my sewing machine? OK, so you see the challenge?

4. Gut and design a new half bath/laundry area.

5. Make a beautiful twist/braided pearl necklace for summer. This is time sensitive. I really should make it #1.

6. Read more blogs, a newspaper or watch the news for at least an hour during the week and an hour on the weekends.

7. Building myself a shoe closet. My husband took a picture of my shoes overflowing out of the closet the other day. I guess I need to get on this when even he is snapping photos!

8. Make pillows for the living room. I tried buying them but $39.99 a pillow? I don’t think so folks.

9. Create some sort of a picture or piece of wall art for the dining room. Hubby wants a 3-picture series of the pond that’s behind the wall. I want a hand made silver branch something (tbd).

10. Create a “regular post” of something. I like my friend Margie’s idea when she was doing the Friday Photos… Check out her blog The Recovery and Reinvestment Project!

11. Make curtains for the living room.

12. Make curtains for the office.

13. Redo the guest room. Yes this seems very general. BUT…we have the curtains up from the boy who lived in the room before we moved in. They are red and green plaid with forest green light blocking shades and brass curtain rods.  The light switch has a cottage with flowers on it. In the room is every piece of oak-ish furniture that is ugly that I couldn’t convince my husband to throw out before we moved. He calls the room The Oak Room. Enough said?

Maybe I shouldn’t just stand there…maybe I need to get moving!

The Gray Project

Ever fall in love with a color to the point that you wake up one day and realize everything in your life has been built around it? Well, for me this is gray. Initially, our kitchen was painted gray. Then our living room, breakfast area and dining room. Then I bought gray paint for the hallway and the office. Now, it’s time to paint the master suite. What color? You guessed it, gray!!

Knowing that I need some spice in my life I thought about adding lots of decorative items as color. I immediately thought aqua and magenta. Thinking about it, these were my wedding colors. Maybe I should be nicer to my husband. Aqua and yellow?

I thought I had time. I thought I could shop leisurely. The painter called this morning. Eek!

BB vs. CC Battle!

Recently I have been introduced to the makeup world of BB and CC creams. BB standing for Beauty Balms or Blemish Balms and CC standing for Color Correction or Color Control. To make a long story short, BB creams started in Korea a few years back and have slowly migrated to the US. Today there many companies which carry BB creams and quickly following are CC creams.

BB creams are essentially a moisturizer, spf and light foundation coverage. Some of the originals barely have any coverage and some of them are much more along the lines of a foundation. This is because there really is no restriction on what is marketed as a BB cream. In fact, many companies (such as Cover Girl) are re-positioning their tinted moisturizers as BB creams.

CC creams are basically BB creams with additional focus on color correcting (ie. reducing redness) and often have more foundation like properties. They often also have anti-aging properties and other additional “benefits”. Once again it’s important to note that there’s no true “cc cream” definition so the products can (and will) vary.

A few weeks ago I received a sample of Smashbox’s BB Cream in something that I ordered. One day, too lazy to go downstairs to get my actual foundation bottle, I decided to use the sample. From there, I became addicted to finding a BB cream. I then read about CC creams and decided to expand my investigation. Here are the products that I’ve tried and my take on each of them! I’m not going to mention cost as every one here is going to be on the pricier side ($30-40). Please note – I cannot comment too much on the “benefits” as you can’t really “see” them so you just have to believe that they exist.

Smashbox BB Cream:

• Texture: Light. Somewhat gel-like. Spreads well but takes a little rubbing.
• Color: Limited. Light is a little too light but Light-Medium is too dark and yellow. May be difficult to match.
• Coverage: Light/Medium. Smooths out skin color but does not cover circles or marks.
• Wear-ability: Great. Doesn’t feel like you have makeup on and doesn’t produce a shine during the day. The finish is very natural! It does keep your skin moisturized as well.
• Additional thoughts: Really really like. I would have stopped here but the lack of colors is an issue. The amount of product you need is very small – the sample packet lasted me 3 days! If there were better colors this would be the winner, hands down. SPF 35!

Smashbox CC Cream:

• Texture: Less gel-like than the BB cream but takes a second to mix on your skin – keep rubbing.
• Color: Limited, like the BB cream. BB & CC colors are exact matches.
• Coverage: Medium. Covers almost all blemishes. Pretty much resembles a foundation.
• Wear-ability: Good. Same finish as the BB cream but I felt that a shine broke through by the end of the day. It did keep my skin moisturized as well.
• Additional thoughts: Like the BB cream, you don’t use a lot. A .25oz sample was about 1/4 of the way used after a week of trialing. SPF 35!

Too Faced BB Cream:

• Texture: Feels extremely light and lotion-like. Smooths into your skin very easily.
• Color: Good options. I think there are currently 5 colors.
• Coverage: Light. You won’t cover all blemishes or marks, but it will smooth out your skin. Very natural finish! I did not need any moisturizer with this. You can “build” to cover undereye circles or blemishes without it being obvious. Has a very slight shimmer to it which helps perfect your skin, but not enough for anyone else to even notice it has a shimmer. Trust me.
• Wear-ability: Great. I didn’t notice shine break out with this.
• Additional thoughts: I think this is going to be the winner!! SPF 20 is a great bonus too!

Laura Mercier BB Cream:

• Texture: Extremely light and smooth.
• Color: There are a TON of colors so it’s incredibly easy to find one that works for you!
• Coverage: Extremely light. You will need concealer if you have a true blemish. Evens out skin for redness, age spots and old scars but doesn’t hide undereye circles. If you blend it, you can’t tell you’re wearing anything. Can’t really “build” coverage if you need it.
• Wear-ability: Excellent. I felt this retains it’s “just applied” feeling throughout the day. I didn’t even come close to seeing any shine. You do not need a moisturizer with this.
• Additional thoughts: The consultant at Nordstrom recommended this to me because it is a good long-term skin line. Great all-in-on, but I think this may be more of a tinted moisturizer than a BB cream. SPF 20.

Bobbi Brown BB Cream:

• Texture: Great. Spreads easily.
• Color: There are a handful of colors but I feel they are difficult to match to my skin. Same issue as the Smashbox!
• Coverage: Light-Medium. This was a little more foundation-y than I wanted but would be a great option for a more medium coverage.
• Wear-ability: I felt there was a little shine by the end of the day. But, with more foundation-like options there often is.
• Additional thoughts: Very good, just not for me. The consultant at Nordy’s believes Bobbi Brown to be another good skin care line for long-term. SPF 35 is a bonus!

Tarte BB Cream:

• Texture: Feels like whipped cream. Your skin will take on the same texture immediately but after a few minutes it feels like your normal skin again. I wish the whipped texture lasted.
• Color: Colors are good, there’s a wide enough range that you can probably find a match.
• Coverage: Light but did looks a little foundation-like.
• Wear-ability: I felt that this one let shine break through, or maybe created a shine situation. I don’t normally “shine” but with this I had it within an hour of leaving the house. Disappointing.
• Additional thoughts: Really like it but wish it held up. I like that it has SPF 30.

Dr. Jart BB Cream:

• Texture: Feels like lotion. I think it is…
• Color: Only one. It’s very light and does do a good job matching skin tone once it’s rubbed in but it does have a gray tint to it. Better than a yellow tint. I see how this tries to reproduce the china doll skin look. I just don’t think the lasting tint is great.
• Coverage: Extremely light but kinda gray. Can’t really build it.
• Wear-ability: Great if you’re looking for a moisturizer. Adds a bit more of a dewy finish than I prefer, almost creating an oily skin look.
• Additional thoughts: I hope there are really great BB benefits to your skin as you’re not getting any of the tinted benefits here! SPF 25 is one of the benefits.

Clinique CC Cream:

• Texture: Feels like a foundation.
• Color: A few choices, you can probably find a color.
• Coverage: Medium – foundation-like. I find this issue with every clinique makeup I wear. I don’t want to look like I’m wearing makeup – sorry!
• Wear-ability: It’s fine but I don’t know about long term. My experience with Clinique is that I break out after a while. I think it suffocates skin.
• Additional thoughts: Just use a foundation and save some money if you want this look. Although, SPF 30 is nice.

Urban Decay Naked BB Cream:

• Texture: Feels like lotion.
• Color: Only one, which I guess works.
• Coverage: Extremely light.
• Wear-ability: Great if you’re looking for a moisturizer.
• Additional thoughts: While this has a tid bit more coverage/color than the Dr. Jart initially it does pretty much the same thing on the skin. I was excited for it as in the store it seemed to have a little coverage but not when I got home. Too bad because it’s supposed to have great “benefits”, including SPF 20.

Additional products that I tried in-store which didn’t even make it to the sample jars due to a major disliking upon initially trying them. Mainly they were essentially foundation, which may be okay for you if you want a completely full coverage product!

Clinique BB Cream

Peter Thomas Roth CC Cream

Dior BB Cream

IF YOU HAVE SOME YOU WANT ME TO TRY, LET ME KNOW AND IF I CAN GET A SAMPLE I’D BE HAPPY TO ADD TO MY REVIEW!