Wednesday, January 11, 2012

weekend beauty... drugstore vs. department store moisturizers



This week is my oldest Mookie's 6th Birthday!! Can you believe it? I cannot. He is having a bike party at the park with 16 of his friends. I cannot wait to share all the details.
In the meantime, remember my trial run of drugstore moisturizers?
well the results are in!
now lets review. i have really really dry skin. so dry i have been known to wake up at night and reapply moisturizer because my skin itches...

Okay so I have loved me some Boots in the past so i started there...


 
Nope. Not even close. Threw the $4.99 jar away and didn't look back.

 
yes. yes. i like it. i love the smell. have been using it ever since. will i continue to? probably not because there are things i like better but in a pinch. this was good.


Generally I do not like creme cleansers because they don't remove make up very well. This did a good job of make up removal, not great on the eyeliner but good with a little wash cloth wipe. The great thing though it was so gentle and left my skin REALLY soft. Its a keeper!

one of my all time favorites...

but let me warn you. it is greasy... and i love it! great under make up? no. goes on smoothly? not really. smells amazing? check.  super moisturizer double check! natural? you bet. it still wins for me.

so i know its not drugstore but i even tried this and....
 

it was terrible. i even got the one for very dry skin. the boots was way better.


so how did my experiment go? not great. i will be honest. BUT i think that is because my skin is so dry it really does call for something heavy duty.
so with that said. i will be returning to my old ways which includes any combination of the following items...

kate somerville quench serum

from my dermatologist
 
love it at night time. makes my skin more even, more moisturized and at $35 its a steal!

This eye cream is to die for  http://www.isclinical.com/


I remain a very loyal Kiehl's girl...
This body moisturizer was gifted to me by my BFF and fellow beauty product junkie...
it is truly so yummy. so luxurious. so moisturizing. dry skin remedy perfection in a jar.

Monday, July 18, 2011

summer make-up...

so...this is for my dear cara
a couple months ago one of my college roommates texted me and said "what is appropriate for us to wear now at 30? how i long for the days of Mac Nylon on my eyes"...
oh cara, nylon did treat us well and i will be honest, hot night on the town, as long as my anti aging cream is living up to its label AND i have freshly waxed brows i do dab it on the inside corner of my eyes and riiight under my brows.
my bag is filled with much more gentler hints of shimmer now. got to keep that glitter out of the knooks and crannies you know?
a few other people have asked me some make-up questions lately so here is an easy way to tell you all.
this is my everyday routine that takes about 7-10 minutes.
i left out the eye shadow pictures on this one but i will give you a list of my bobbi brown palette at the end.
okay so here is the rundown of my summer bag that i am QUITE pleased with for the moment... and as my grandma neenah always said: 

"There are no natural beauties."
1. Laura Mercier primer: i always start with this primer. i love it. it goes on light and REALLY helps my make-up last all day. i have tried others that may do a better job of mattifying and evening out skin tones (smashbox is a great one and for those with red skin i have seen the green kind work wonders) but i have really dry skin so that is not an issue for me.
2. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer: love this for most times of the year. i mix it with a dab of number 3 and it makes me feel all dewy and pretty.
3. Nars Illuminator:  So all you need is a dab of this in your foundation OR i will take a tiny dab and run it down my nose and across my cheekbones. it really is one of my new favorite products.
4. Bobbi Brown Eye Brightener: after baby number 3 was born i REALLY needed something to lighten my undereye area. i love this because it works and is so light and easy to blend. fantastic!
5. Nars Blush in Deep Throat: i used Orgasm for  along time but really wanted to switch it up a little. this is slightly more peachy then pinky and i like that with my freckles.
6. Smashbox Limitless Eyeliner in Java: you know i love some eyeliner. my eyes are way to big or as mookie calls them "circle eyes" and my lashes are way to pale to go without it...although sometimes i really wish i could. so i have tried them all- liquid. gel. kohl. pencil. waterproof. everything. this is my new favorite. it goes on very smooth and if you blend it and smudge it into your lashline you are good. or if you want a more dramatic line just draw it on and leave it alone it sets and stays all day. truly. all day. plus it has a sharpener in the cap which i love for traveling because i like a good point. And with sensitive eyes, like i have, i like to have my eyeliner fresh and clean. and the java color is perfection.
7. Mac Lustreglass in Love Nectar: great peach summer color. just enough color to look fresh, just enough sparkle to look dewy and natural. good stuff.
BUT  if you can get the Cremesheen in Boy Bait, run don't walk. they have it online but rumor has it that they have discontinued it in stores. it is fantastic alone and over EVERY lipstick color.
i have both and really love them.
8. Marc Jacobs Daisy, Eau So Fresh: great summer scent. and really, how cute is the bottle?
other summer scents i love: bobbi brown beach, almost bare and bath.
a certain someone i know wears Salvatore Ferragamo Incanto in Shine, i believe, but miss julia is going to have to leave a comment and let me know if i am correct. i look for it every time i am at nordstrom and they never have it. one day i will get off my lazy can and order it online. it is HEAVEN!
9. Lancome Flash Bronzer: now that my hawaii tan has officially faded i am back to rubbing this on whenever i can. it blends really smoothly and is not orangey.
Eyeshadows:
i love bobbi brown for a couple reasons. 1. they stay all organized in my palette box so they are not rolling all over my make-up drawers. 2. she has great matte and shimmery colors that are not over the top
so i have: bone for all over; beige and champagne quartz for crease to lid; rose gold for crease and color; copper cocoa for crease at night and eyeliner blend.
Last but not least. i never leave without a spritz of this on my face, before mascara. it sets everything!

man it takes a lot to look like it didn't.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

inspiration boards...

so in order to keep my head straight and wrapped around everything i decided to make some inspiration boards. with so many great products out there it is hard to keep focused on what you truly like. this helps me. a lot. i like the navy and black combo the best. maybe that is why i developed it a bit more. 
we are having a deep window seat installed where our now stellar atrium is. the pillows will go there.
plans are at the engineer. we are hoping for completion by october. cross your fingers.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

s'mores cookies...

years ago when the disney movie "spirit of cimarron" came out baskin robbins featured a s'more flavored ice cream. cinnamon ice cream with swirls of chocolate and marshmallow?
yes please.
ever since i have looved s'mores.
during a craving moment last week i found this recipe and the were delish.
thank you martha.


Friday, April 16, 2010

etsy finds...

my kick this week is finishing my guest room...here are some etsy finds that i am digging.






Monday, April 12, 2010

terrain...by urban outfitters.

i just spent some much needed time, daydreaming about all the new things at Urban Outfitter and Anthropologie's outdoor store, Terrain, and how great they would look in our backyard.









Monday, March 8, 2010

the white attic...

i cannot explain to you how i love this store and how upsetting it is that they do not offer shipping. i have called twice, juuust to be sure they haven't changed their policy.




this stacked with all my white dishes and milkglass collection would be a dream come true.

i have been looking high and low for a secretary desk to store all the kids artwork, in the drawers and supplies, on the desk. let me know if you see one.
i would love to have one refinished like this store does in a really fun color.


Friday, March 5, 2010

medium tone wood floors...


i have a thing for dark-dark wood floors, herringbone parquet if we are being particular. i love the contrast with a good white molding and great beautiful natural light. but, everyone i know who has had them said they are the most beautiful things in the world freshly "swifered" but you can see every speck of dust and every streak from a broom...so since i have young children i am trying to wrap my head around a more practical finish.
these images from desire to inspire just might do the trick...maybe, if i try really hard i could let go of my dark wood dreams. if not aren't these gorgeous to look at anyways?








but for right now we just want to refinish our flooring until we can redo the kitchen.
anyone know any wood flooring specialists?