Gone But Not Forgotten

Greetings fellow shoppers. Please excuse my brief hiatus. I've been working long hard hours, yet still nurturing my dedication to style and expression. Over the last few months I have found a few products that I adore and am willing to share with you today. Here we go ladies!

In a previous post entitled “Scents that make Cents” we reviewed a few perfumes appropriate for the season, and how to sensibility shop out of fear of commitment and dwindling wallets.
I have fallen ladies! Head over heels, over head over heels . Yes, I have made the commitment. I found the perfect summer scent that I am willing to commit to and purchase in full sized bottles! I know it's incredible; the fragrance fear of commitment no longer applies.


Mr. Genius Ed Hardy's, “Love Kills Slowly”, by Christian Audigier, is the sexiest and sweetest scent of them all. This pink punk perfume is an explosion of tantalizing fruit salad; wild strawberry, ruby red grapefruit and tropical mango. I get comments and compliments everywhere I go from men and women alike. It’s fresh, light, and completely alluring.
Available at fragranceshop.com $35-$75
If you are still looking to save a few bucks, buy the tester. It’s a 100% full bottle of the original genuine scent but it won’t come in its original box. A-And it has the word tester on the bottle. Hey for ¼ of the price, I am willing to deal with that shortcoming.

On a more personal - note ladies and gents, I am now a member of Glamour Magazine's, Glambassador team. It's a nationwide group of style savvy men and women (like myself) who get the inside scoop on; products, places, sales, steals and deals, within the beauty and style industry. The fantastic part about it is, I am here to share this priceless information with all of you.

This past week I was given Target gift cards to distribute with Maybelline New York dollars available. We were encouraged to purchase any Maybelline product we wanted. I opted for the new Maybelline Stiletto Mascara in Black and Volume XL Seduction Lip Plumper in Fully Blushed #115 available for $8.85 and $6.85 at target and local drugstores.
I am not crazy over the lash Stiletto mascara, it's really nothing special. I think they spent more money in advertising and packaging then on the actual formula and brush. It's just basic mascara. It won’t give you the ridiculously long and luxurious lashes they claim. However it does cover well and clumps minimally. I wouldn't recommend it. I give Maybelline's Stiletto Mascara 2 out of 5 kisses.

I enjoyed Maybelline's Volume XL Seduction Lip Plumper. It has a great thick creamy formula that covers and coats the lip completely. The color is saturated and rich and leaves your lips looking lustrous and seductive. The plumper is quite strong and will tingle while drawing the blood to your lips creating a swollen effect. Great for you, bad for kissing your partner. Pulling away after a long smooch, your lovers mouth will feel numb and uncomfortable.... oops. Not a first date lip gloss ladies, strictly look don't touch.
I give Maybelline’s Volume XL Seduction Plumper 5 out of 5 kisses.... only if you aren't planning on kissing.

Immaculate Complexion!

Trends may come and go however a flawless complexion is always in style. From dewy and sun kissed to a flawless classic matte photo finish.

Every dermatologist I have ever visited, which happens to be more then I can count, tells me that the basic problem with my skin is; "I have over active sebum glands". Translation, my skin makes too much oil and causes me to break out, at very inopportune times I may add. So what are the good Doc's, plan of attack? Dry the living daylights out of my poor face until it cracks and surrenders under the pressure. Unfortunately this creates an adverse set of problems. So I gave the doctors a much needed vacation and decide to venture out on my own in search of a cure. I have found a regimen that is much more effective, not full proof but gentler and more successful.

- Daily scrub- St. Ives Apricot black head and blemish scrub-available at target.com for a whopping 3$. - also available at local drugstores.

TIP: Use upward soft circular motions while cleansing your face, this increases blood flow and circulation while stimulating new cell production. This invigorating process buffs away dead dull skin that can weigh you down causing your skin to appear shallow and sluggish.... eww

Scrubs are also said to combat wrinkles and reveal softer rejuvenated skin. Take care and be gentle while cleansing, this should be an enjoyable and relaxing process. No jackhammers and belt sanders required.

TIP:When your skin is efficiently cleansed it should have a slight pink hue and appear a bit shiny.

-Make sure your skin is hydrated.

My absolute favorite moisturizers for day time are; Dr. Hauschka Normalizing Day Oil paired with Dr. Hauschka Quince Moisturizer.
This product line is phenomenal. It's an all natural holistic skin care line, that is designed to return your skin to its naturally healthy state by restoring to it's healthy rhythm and balance. They also have a cosmetics line available online. All available at http://www.drhauschka.com/

- Jergens' Natural Glow Daily Moisturizing Lotion available at target.com 8$- any local drug store.

TIP: You can also use the store's generic brand, they all have the same effect on the skin. This daily bronzing lotion only dyes the first few layered of the epidermis. This formula is easy to apply and gives you a naturally radiant glow that will deepen with each use. Be sure to scrub your palms with a scrub brush and pumice stone after each application so you don't end up with orange hand syndrome.

-Booths Anti Redness Lotion -target.com- drugstore.com

I have played tug of war with my skin since that very special adolescent age when your hormones decide they are in charge, and you are merely a passenger along for the wild ride. I am sure many women can relate to my tragic encounters with 500 beauty products supposedly the "end all" cure for my enraged complexion. Booths manufactures an Anti Redness Lotion that is an ultra light weight, non greasy formula. It tames your aggravated skin while priming it for foundation and concealer to assist in the relief effort.

- Booths Hydrating Fluid-target.com-Drugstore.com

Many health problems stem from lack of hydration internally and externally. The Epidermis being the largest organ of the body is no acceptation. We as Americans put an exorbitant amount of emphasis on " cleanse, cleanse, cleanse your skin". When actually all that rubbing, scrubbing and synthetic soap is drying our poor naturally supple skin. So just take it easy on the soap bar ladies, just for a while and let your skin catch a break. Try moisturizing with Booths Hydrating Fluid. Intended for daytime use under cosmetics, it's weightless yet potent. I have had successful 24 hours of hydration using it along side my Dr. Hauschka quince Day Cream. Great news, it wont make cosmetics run or stick in wrinkles or larger pours.

7. Jemma Kidd glow base target.com LOVE IT!! Pore-Fict
This is a must have! What ever your age, color, or skin condition, this is the product for you. This light weight primer lotion creates an incredibly sexy glow. It makes you look ultra hydrated like you have been sun bathing in the Caribbean for a weekend. Use it alone or under your concealer, just be sure to concentrate on your under eyes and cheek bones. This is a Style Savvy Must Have!!!

-M.A.C. Studio Finish Concealer with SPF 15.
I have used this tiny pot of heaven for years. I think I first discovered it when I was in high school and desperately seeking something that would disguise my parade of blemishes. This concealer is very different then any other I have tried before, and I have tried them all ladies. The formula is thick and easily applied. You apply it with a facial concealer brush in designated spots. It completely camouflages redness, pimples and uneven complexions. Even the most stubborn, head strong blemishes don't stand a chance against this small yet mighty formula. Available in select department stores.-Macys-Belk-Hechts-stc.

- Cover Girl Tru Blend Micro Minerals Bronze-available at target.com $6 -available at any local drug store.
This is quite an inexpensive way to define and illuminate your skin. If you are looking to appear tan and healthy, give your cheeks, forehead, bridge of your nose and chin a light dusting. This is also a fantastic way of blending your foundation in to your neck to create a more homogenized complexion.

TIP: Apply this mineral powder to the hollow of your cheeks, up your cheek bones and down your neck and around your collar bone to complete the summer fresh look.

Tip: Heat and Moisture rich environments like saunas are spectacular for clearing troublesome complexions. The benefits are plenty; they detox the liver rapidly by drawing out toxins through the skin, get bowls moving which will assist in clearing the skin of impurities, and refresh your immune system by clearing out old toxic waist trough sweat forcing you to replenish. Just be sure to drink at least 36 oz of water afterward.