A inexpensive exfoliating alternative

St. Ives Naturally Clear Apricot Scrub

This takes me back to my Summer camp days when my biggest worry in life was if my Mom was going to be mad that I shaved my legs during the 6 weeks I was on a mountain in West Virginia… memories… those were the days.

Anyhoo, not surprisingly, St. Ives is still around but sporting more modern packaging and amped up ingredients like Salicylic acid to help prevent breakouts and blackheads.  It still smells just as fab as I remember and really does a great job of gently exfoliating.  Honestly, I find this comparable to Kate Somerville’s Exfolikate (see my 7/19/11 post) – just for a whole lot less. The formula has 2% Salicylic acid – great for over the counter – but was definitely not drying.  I found it to be very nice overall.   I’m adding a link to the St. Ives website below.  I bought mine at Target for about $7.00

http://www.stives.com/Facial-Products/Naturally-Clear/Blemish-%28and%29-Blackhead-Control-Apricot-Scrub/

John Frieda Go Blonder Spray

John Frieda Sheer Blonde Go Blonder Controlled Lightening Spray

I was hesitant to try this product because I felt like it was almost too good to be true but, alas, for you blondes it truly will become a lifesaver!  I wouldn’t count on it all the time but, it will definitely ease you through the times of waiting to get in to see your stylist or stretching your color an extra week or two.  I could tell a difference after just 1 use.  My roots were definitely lighter and less obvious.  I thought it tamed my flyaways as well.  I did a home blowout with it on Weds. night and I actually haven’t washed my hair since. (I did not use very much product and just did a few squirts at my part/roots).  Yay!! A formula of citrus and chamomile works with the heat of your blow dryer or heated styling tools to gradually lighten hair (blonde only). Patent pending polymers which contain hydrogen peroxide allow you to control the lightening – genius!  I would run (not walk) to the nearest CVS or Walgreen’s and snap this puppy up.  Thank me later.

Here’s to hoping I don’t wake up with pink or orange hair in a couple days!!

Rest assured beauty editors at Allure and Lucky have given the product similar raving reviews!!  Here is a link to the product on the company’s website:

http://www.johnfrieda.com/en-US/ProductDetail/Hair-Care/Sheer-Blonde/Go-Blonder-Controlled-Lightening-Spray

**I will note that if you look at the reviews on the website – one individual did give it a really bad review and faults it for ruining her hair and causing major root breakage but it appears this was after many months of weekly/regular-to-heavy use.  I think if you use it only every so often to stretch highlights or color – you’re fine.  I wouldn’t push it anymore than that as obviously, it contains ingredients that chemically lighten hair, and we all know that’s never healthy.  Everything in moderation ladies!!  That applies to this product too.

Bobbi Brown Lash Glamour Mascara

Bobbi Brown Lash Glamour Extreme Lengthening Mascara

I’m a huge fan of Bobbi Brown because her products are not only amazing but incredibly affordable.  This mascara is my new obsession.  It creates ultra long, totally separated with 0 clumps or flakes, perfectly smooth lashes.  I seriously look like I’m wearing falsies.  It has a great rubber wand that allows you to easily coat until you’ve reached your desired look & it’s curved perfectly so that your lashes are not only lengthened but lifted and curled.  This will be the best $24 you’ve spent in awhile.  The effect is truly “eye opening.”  It’s water resistant and in the darkest inky black shade.  Here is a link to the product at Nordstrom:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/bobbi-brown-lash-glamour-extreme-lengthening-mascara/3167286?cm_cat=datafeed&cm_ite=bobbi_brown_%27lash_glamour%27_extreme_lengthening_mascara:346124&cm_pla=makeup:women:lash&cm_ven=Froogle&mr:referralID=NA&mr:trackingCode=BCA07C9B-4E44-E011-997F-001517B1882A

Trish Brow Pencil

Trish McEvoy Precision Brow Shaper

Sometimes a look just calls for a defined brow.  Mine are well shaped (thank you Carol @ Jamie!!) but not exactly thick.  I usually don’t do much to them but on occasion, when I’m getting dressed up, I will pencil them in just a tiny bit to create a more well defined shape/arch.  Trish’s brow definer is perfect for that – it just adds a little bit of definition very naturally.  I love how one end of the pencil has a great little brush for combing/shaping.  The other side – where the pencil is – is controlled by a twisting retractable pencil (so you are never working with a dull end!)  I use the "natural" shade.  Here is a link to the product at Neiman Marcus:

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod48160003&parentId=cat000328&masterId=cat13260731&index=17&cmCat=cat000000cat000285cat4830738cat000294cat000326cat13260731cat000328&isEditorial=false

Chanel Concealer

Chanel Correcteur Perfection Long Lasting Concealer

This is a great every day concealer – it is long lasting and goes on smooth and creamy without being the least bit drying. It never cakes or flakes and looks totally seamless/traceless under all foundation.   It is a light weight, gel based formula that provides, in my opinion, excellent moderate coverage.  In my particular case I am primarily covering redness and I love it for this.  I cannot vouch for those with dark circles as that is one skin issue I’m not plagued with (thank god!) but I would think it is pretty much top of the line in terms of a long lasting, moderate coverage concealer for all things needing concealment.  I’ve been very happy with this product… and trust me, as far as concealers go  -- I have pretty much tried them all.  Here is a link to the product at Macy’s:

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=376867&PseudoCat=ct-vb-sy-ch.index