New Fave Finds

I usually don't really change up my beauty routine.  I'm a Clean and Clear girl when it comes to my face wash and I've been using it for as long as I can remember.  I've never been a big face routine type of person but as I have rounded into my mid-to-late 20's (eek!) I thought maybe I would try to outrun mother nature and look at an anti-wrinkle type lotion.  There are a million and one different products out there of course but figured that I would give this one a try.

I have really liked the few Philosophy products that I have tried in the past and this one had rave reviews...and let me say they are well worth it!  It's a super easy to use system which consists of 3 parts.  Retinoid solution that is used at night, a moisturizing lotion to be used morning and night and eye cream to be used morning and night.  

Within the first week I will say that I have 100% seen my skin become smoother and more moisturized.  I haven't been using the moisturizer day and night mainly because I tend to get a little oily but the eye cream for sure is an AM/PM for me.  I would highly suggest this to anyone!

My next new find that I love is Baby Lips by Maybelline! 

It's a clinical strength moisturizing lip glass in clear or colored options.  Perfect for the winter weather and come on how cute is the packaging?!

Last minute must do's

This time tomorrow Rene and I will be enjoying stress free vacation in Napa, CA!

Now it's time to get some last minute things finished....
Packing, mani-pedi, Rene is off the the dentist and we both need to get our hair cut....busy day before vacay!

I decided to go with a simple pastel color for my nails since I won't know what I am wearing...
It's called "Fiji" by Essie it might not be very "wine themed" for the trip but I think its quite nice for the spring....

Now time to go get things done and try to get in some yoga and cardio before my hair apt!

SPF is supposed to not make you burn right?

Well as mentioned in a previous post I was uber excited to hang out by the pool a bit and get rid on my whiteness and start getting a bit of a tan...well today was my day! The weather was great and after a quick jog and re-signing our lease Rene and I headed out to the pool for a bit before he went to private golf lesson that I bought him for Valentine's Day.

Rene left around 12:30 and I stayed out by the pool reading accounting homework for another hour or so...what I didn't know was that I was turning into a lobster!

I don't remember that last time that I got a sun burn, typically I get a little red but it never hurts and then it's brown overnight....not today I'm afraid.

And the strange part is that since I made the promise to Rene that I would stop using the tanning bed (last year) I even started using actual sunscreen vs. the "dark tanning oil" or "tanning accelerator" that I typically use. I went to Target and got Banana Boat Dark Tanning Spay Oil SPF 4
Ok yes, I know that SPF 4 isn't really and SPF but this is a big step for the girl who all through high school and college pretty much tanned 4-6 days a week in a fake baker!

Fear not, I also typically wear at least an SPF 15 on my face daily. Though I forgot to re-apply after my jog which at least explains why my face is the color of a tomato!

I am all red in random places (across my collar bone, my top of my right arm and spots around my hips) but only on the front where I actually put on the tanning oil and re-applied every time I turned over...on my back where I didn't even spray anything at all and I got at least an hour of sun on my back is white as ever! I am at a loss for words as to what happened and why in the world I am red but hopefully it won't last too long.

To help combat my sunburn I knew that Clinique and Clarins both had after sun lotions so over to the mall we went. I found out however 2 things that were news to me. #1 Clarins was not in stock at Sephora or Dillards and #2 apparently the Clinique brand has lots of nasty chemicals....

So I am trying something new recommended to me as "so much better" than any of the others at Sephora....Korres Yoghurt Cooling Gel

The brand uses age old Greek remedies to create beauty products and everything is all natural. The guy at the store slathered some on my arm and it made a huge difference in the soreness and cooled the radiating heat. I was sold and purchased one right away! I'll be sure to let you know how it works out!

Now time to go help make sure Rene doesn't ruin dinner for tonight...Mahi Mahi and black quinoa yum!

Wedding Day Make Up

I figured while sitting here being non-productive at work what a better time than to post about my "day of makeup".

Let me first say that my make up is pretty fail proof, and I did not want to cake on a ton of foundation and heavy make up and be on the deck of a cruise for our ceremony and hate the fact that I looked all "done up" and not myself.

So off to Sephora I went looking a couple of months before the wedding to find my perfect face!

I sat down with one of the make up artists and explained what I wanted.



1. Minimal products to take on the ship


2. Something that can be casual and also dressed up


3. Easy!



It takes me about 10-15 minutes total now to do my make up! Its great! The only thing that I change up are my eyes to either do a simple sheer pink (casual) or add some brown shimmery colors and a smokey eye to make it a little more dramatic!

Here is what I will be using for the wedding day and really what I have been using on a daily basis because it's just that easy!

All photos from the Sephora Website

1. NARS primer with SPF 20 to help everything stay on and also prevent sun damage of course! Applied all over face and eye lids.

2. Follow this up with NARS Firming Foundation in Syracuse. I apply it to my hand and then warm it up and apply it with my finger tips, super easy to apply and a little goes a long way!





3. This has become my favorite "go to item". Its called The Multiple in Orgasm. It works on cheeks, eyes, and lips everywhere to add a little pink shimmer. I use it on my cheeks and eyes. When looking for a casual look this is all I use on my eyes.



4. Highlighting and Bronzing Duo in Orgasm and Laguna. I apply the pink to my cheeks and the bronzer all over to help set the make up.




5. Apply eyeshadow. I mix it up a little here and use everything from the Ulta Brands, and Cover Girl. I choose a shimmery brown in 2 colors and apply one to the entire eyelid and then sweep the darker shade in the crease (sorry no photos because I use lots of stuff)



6. Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes stay put eye liner. Its waterproof and stays on your eyes all day! I apply it to the top lid and smudge it a bit for a smokey effect.





7. Dior , Dior Show Mascara in Black. I use the waterproof version most days, it comes off easy but doesn't leave little flakes that other mascara may leave.



8. MAKE UP FOREVER HD Microfinish Powder-- I love this, it adds a little sheen and also set the make up very well. I just brush lightly all over my face even my eyelids to set everything.


I promise it's quick and easy, and this is all that I use. Add a sheer lip for casual or a colored lip to add a little something else. But that's it in a nut shell!