Tag Archives: beauty

New Season…New Scent!

26 Feb

SassyPerfume

It’s about that time of year. The calendar is showing that spring is getting closer even if the weather isn’t. Fall and winter merchandise is on clearance, but seeing shorts and swimsuits in the store gives me goose bumps. This is a “mixed emotions” time of year. You know that better days are coming but it seems like it takes every last ounce of energy to get through the ones that are here. Ugh.

I think one of the best things to do when the winter funk gets me down is to get myself a new perfume. It lifts my mood, brings a smile to my face, and helps remind me that spring days will soon be here. Even when it is snowing or sleeting outside, or there is a winter weather advisory scrolling along the bottom of my TV screen (like right this very second), smelling a new, uplifting, fresh fragrance can give me that little bit of “oomph” to get through the day and daydream about better days to come.

Yesterday I set out–clear nose and coffee beans in pocket—to my local high-end department store to search out a new fragrance. I have to say, the scratch n sniff samples that have come in my magazines lately just haven’t jazzed me. I’m pretty particular. I don’t like overly mature scents. I’m not huge into heavy florals. And I certainly do not like musky perfumes since they smell like a locker room when I wear them. I like fruity scents with a light touch of bright florals and with a lingering scent, like vanilla, that sticks around for a while.

After several samples on cards, sniffing, whiffing, fanning and running through different spritzes in the air at the store (looking like a total goofball I’m sure”, I narrowed down my choices to my four favorite scents right now. Here is what I liked:

GuessGUESS – I am a huge Guess brand fan. I have it all: shoes, boots, jeans, tops, handbags, jewelry, you name it. When I saw the stunning, feminine bottle of the Guess perfume, a part of me gasped just a bit since it just seemed like a natural choice for me. I have to say, it didn’t disappoint me. It screams everything I like when I wear a scent: exciting, bold, sexy, and playful. It makes an entrance with notes of raspberry nectar, melon and bergamot, followed up by tinges of orchid, acacia flower and lily. All that gets wrapped up with sandalwood and bourbon vanilla for a scent that stays. This scent leaves a bit of a “heavy” impression which doesn’t always translates well on me, but it is still one that I’d love to have in my collection.

DOTDOT by Marc Jacobs – I’m a die-hard fan of “Daisy” so I did not expect this fragrance to let me down. And it didn’t. The scent alone says bubbly, giggly, energetic and alive. Just like the name only has three letters, it can be described in three letters as well—F U N. This upbeat fragrance has top notes of red berries, dragon fruit, honeysuckle, middle notes of jasmine, coconut water and orange blossom, all tied together with the warmth of vanilla. DOT by Marc Jacobs gives you a simple, straight-forward, sophisticated scent with a balance of sheer elegance. This is without a doubt an anytime, anywhere with anything scent!

BieberGirlfriendGIRLFRIEND by Justin Bieber – Yeah, I said it… don’t hate! You don’t have to be a screaming girl with Bieber Fever to appreciate the scents that Justin puts his name on. I certainly was not disappointed with SOMEDAY and I wasn’t disappointed with GIRLFRIEND either. Top scents of mandarin, blackberry, pear and strawberry with dreams of pink freesia, star jasmine, apricot nectar and orange blossom keep this scent light and young. Hints of vanilla orchid and light musk kisses your senses to keep the scent lingering even after the scent begins to die down. Of course, its target market if the young Beetle-mania type girls who will buy anything with JB’s name on it. But I have to say, it is young, it’s flirty, it takes your breath away, and it makes you feel like a teen again (without all the heartache!)

BCBGBCBGMAXAZRIA Bon Chic – Out of all the fragrances I tested, I think this one is my fave. I liked BCBGMAXAZRIA’s original scent, so to see one with a different edge really caught my eye. It has all the notes that I love in a perfume: Asian pear, black raspberry, mango, pink peony, orange blossom and violet. These light tones are all enveloped in sandalwood, cashmere musk and vanilla to keep it forward but light. I like this refined scent with persuasive accents. It makes a huge entrance and drips with extravagant textures that keeps your senses enticed and other people’s senses allured. This is such a Sassy scent. SO me! It hits you with a sexy “Wow!”, followed by a “What a confident, enchanting, sexy woman!”. Then, as the girl passes by, her memory lingers, and you can’t help but say, “Who WAS that girl?” THAT is the impression I like to leave, and this great scent will help.

So have I tempted you? In the mood to go find yourself a new perfume to help you transition into a new season? Now is time! Simple things to remember: don’t spray them all on you—spray a tester card, then label it so you remember what it was; don’t sniff too many—it will confuse your sense of smell and if that happens, that’s when a wiff of coffee beans can help; don’t go sniffing if you have a cold or allergies—n thing will smell right or even smell at all!;, and most of all—be open minded. You might not like a name or brand, but that doesn’t mean you won’t like the fragrance. Lightly sniff the bottle without spraying, if you like it, spritz a test card, wave it to give it time to breathe, then smell it again. If you are still liking it, try it on your clean wrists next time you go into the store and see how it stays with you make sure it doesn’t react to your skin. If it’s goood, then go for it! That new scent might just be what Old Man Winter needs to get him out of town and rush in the warmer weather that’s right on the horizon!!

All products in this post are available at your local Macy’s or Macy’s online at macys.com

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Once, Twice, Three Times with Sassy…

17 Feb

3+
Without researching, I would be willing to say that there are over a million different makeup, skin care, hair and nail products on the market. That doesn’t even include the various colors and formulas of many of them. It is not easy for a company to get a consumer to buy a product once. The money they put into television and print advertising is beyond comprehension. Now, to hold the customer’s interest with eye-catching displays, money-saving deals, and quality results in order to get them to be a repeat customer is pretty amazing. After that, it’s a crap shoot. The cosmetic company now hopes they have gained your loyalty and business. They hope you love it so much that you would not even consider shopping out the product and buy it a third time—THAT is a cosmetic company’s dream come true, and an accomplishment beyond words.

I can totally relate to this as a glamour junkie. Commercials, displays, magazine ads and samples could literally get me to jump the fence on almost anything I use with the right tactics. Even if I’m thrilled with the product I am currently using, I can justify in my head and heart to try something else, even if it’s just once. But really… isn’t that what the cosmetic companies want? Just a chance? They know I’ll either say, “Wow, this is the best xxx I have ever used! Why haven’t I been using this before? I’ll never use anything else ever again!” Or I will give it an immediate thumbs down, kick myself for being a traitor to the product I had been using before, beg for glamour forgiveness and go back to using the one I had loved all along. Not to mention, with me winning contest prizes, getting products to try or review, or sending away for samples for me to try on my own, I’m always getting “teased” with things that are new, improved or could be better. That’s what the companies are hoping for. Some times, I admit, it works. But for a few products, I won’t even bother to deviate. I stick with what I love. Not just once, or even twice…. but have bought them three times or more because to me, they far exceed anything else I have tried or tested. I have found they truly are my favorites at what they do.

So what are these heart stealers that have shown me that “third time’s a charm”? Here are my ultimate favorite products that you will always find somewhere in my beauty ensemble, either in my drawers or on my vanity:

OleFoam**Ole Henriksen’s African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser** – Having sensitive skin has made finding the perfect cleanser difficult for me. I want something that washes my face, fights aging and doesn’t strip it of its natural oils, drying out my skin. I have tried a LOT of cleansers, I fell in love with Ole’s African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser after their customer service department sent me a sample because I thanked them for their “Three Little Wonders” box set I got for a holiday gift one year, which stole my heart. The cleanser immediately became my favorite face wash. My skin felt and looked noticeably healthier, it didn’t irritate or make my skin burn, and the foaming formula really made it so you didn’t need a ton. Plus, in combination with Ole’s other products I had, I really noticed an overall improvement in my face’s skin. I have been using the African Red Tea cleanser pretty consistently for over two years now. Even though I have tried a sample of other cleansers here and there, I always use Ole’s at least once a day. Happy to say, I’m on my fourth bottle! (Available at Sephora, $30)

BurtsBeesHandCream**Burt’s Bees Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Cream** – I never used to be a hand cream kind of girl. I never had to be. My hands never got dry, cuticles were healthy and I had no problems. Then came this year. I don’t what changed but my cuticles turned into corn flakes, my hands felt dry and the tops of my hands looked…old !!(*GASP!*). Oh no, no, no. My years in the cosmetic and skin care industry taught me that your eyes and your hands can tell people your age better than your driver’s license can. The minute I felt my hands drying out, I went looking for something good. I tried several simple “squeeze” lotions for my hands, but they didn’t seem to keep them moist for too long. Burt’s Bees caught my eye because of the Almond Milk in the name. I love the scent of almonds and know that almond oil is fabulous for moisturizing skin naturally. The beeswax is perfect to lock it into the skin and really keeps the hands, nails and cuticles soft. And the scent is to die for! I just dove into my third jar last night—and I’ve only been using it since November! (Available at most drugstores, $9)

TreeHut**Tree Hut Brazillian Nut Shea Body Butter** – The more natural you can keep your health and beauty products, the better they are for your body. I have always turned to almond or coconut oil to keep my body soft after a bath. In the colder months, however, I need something a bit more rich when my skin begins to get dry and itchy. I saw a review for Tree Hut’s Body Butter on a review site once, and remembered seeing the product at my regular retail store, so I thought I would look into it a bit more. It had my two favorite natural moisturizers that I love in it: shea butter and cocoa butter. In addition, it also contained Brazil nut and safflower seed oil, both rich in vitamins and antioxidants which help to keep the skin healthy. The smell is divine… like a yummy latte from your favorite coffee shop! I like the fact that it is not a liquid or a lotion—it is a solid “butter” which goes on thick and melts into the skin. This leaves the skin soft and moisturized for a long time. Since I first discovered this about four years ago, I have purchased at least six jars of this gem. Currently I have one in my bathroom AND bedroom! (Available at some local retailers or drugstore.com, $7.49)

NYCliner**New York Color Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil** – Eyeliners are a dime a dozen. I’ve seen some liners as cheap as 99 cents and some as expensive as $30. It is not too difficult for me to describe what I want in an eyeliner. The problem is… finding it. I want a DARK black pencil that I can sharpen myself so I can get a crisp, tight line. It has to be soft enough to go on with ease but tough enough to not smudge or run. And it has to last—I mean LAST ALL DAY last. Shouldn’t be too hard to find, right? Ha, that’s you think. I have tried so many liners over the years, it’s crazy. The fact is I’ll probably continue to try different liners, depending on the look I am going for. But if someone said I had to grab ONE liner to use for the rest of my life? I’d take NYC’s Waterproof Eyeliner. It can sharpened to a good point, soft enough not to tug at my eyes, cry-proof, rain-proof, sweat-proof and even swim-proof. It. Stays. Put. No smudging, no running. Even though I have tried gels, liquids, minerals and kohl liners for different looks, my go-to everyday no-fail eyeliner will always be NYC’s. Oh, and by the way? It won’t drain your wallet. And that is always a plus! (Available at Walmart & other retailers, $3.99)

I can’t deny that I don’t like to try new things. I’m a girl. It’s not just my nature but it’s also my job! There is nothing wrong with seeing what is out there. What is good for me may not be good for you. And what is good for you might just be what I am looking for! Times and styles are constantly changing so it is expected that cosmetics are going to change right along with it. These items I mentioned might be my go-to products for what I am looking for right now, but who knows if they will even be available in a year! I’d like to hope so, but in case they aren’t, I need to keep track of what other options are out there in case I need to switch. But today?…I am pretty content with these products for their specific purpose and will love ‘em till they are gone!

How about you? I am sure you have a couple of “must have” items of your own. No matter what else is out there, you will use them regardless of the competition. Are they makeup items—a favorite lipstick color? A blush? What about skin care—an eye cream? A moisturizer? Maybe it’s a nail polish remover. Or a can’t-live-without hairspray. Let me know what items are staples in your routine and I’ll let you know if I agree!

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Sampling Some Samples – January…

6 Feb

Samples
Companies know us women are suckers for samples. When it comes to playing makeup, we are never too old! Just about every month, I consider myself to be blessed that I am on so many “try before you buy” sample lists. Some are ones I request from advertised offers, others are new products I won, some are gifts with purchases, and others are trial offers. Doesn’t matter to me… I LOVE to play with new products. I think a good number of my favorite skin care and glamour products came to me through a trial or sample somehow. What is nice is I get to see if I like a product enough to buy it in a full size without worrying about the monetary commitment. This is especially helpful with high end makeup and skin care items as well as expensive fragrances.

January was no different. Trials and samples came rolling in, just like it was Christmas still. Every trip to the mailbox was like a trip to the mall of freebies! Here are just a few of the samples I got last month that caught my eye (and nose and skin) as well as my thoughts on if I’d consider them for a future purchase or not:

YSLMascYves-Saint-Laurent Mascara Volume Effect Faux Cils Shocking – I am pretty lucky. I have good lashes. My only problem? They are pretty straight and light in color. Curling is a necessity no matter what. But if I can find a mascara to give them some extra pop with a little extra length, volume and color, I’m pretty happy. YSL’s Shocking mascara gave me just that. After two coats with its easy to control brush and then a tight curl with my lash curler, it really gave my eyes the look of wearing false lashes! The mascara wore true all day and didn’t smudge, clump or flake. Something I noticed with this mascara that I hadn’t seen in others? The black color was shiny, almost patent-leather shiny! It really gave my eyes a more dramatic look. Although I was a fan of the sample, I would have to seriously fall in love with it to pay the high end price. Still… I liked this mascara A LOT!
Available at Sephora for $30

BillBoyfriendKate Walsh’s “Billionaire Boyfriend” Perfume – If thoughts of diamonds, yachts, and dreams of wealth and glamour consume your mind throughout the day, this might be a scent for you to try. This high-floral scent with oriental influences has notes black jasmine, velvet orchid, gardenia and patchouli flower. Even as the scent dries down, its back notes of sandalwood and golden amber keep it rich. It is a forward, bold yet pretty scent and it does last. Personally, however I have never been a high floral-scented perfume person. I lean more towards citrus-based fragrances. If you are a fan of strong-scented, sophisticated, warm scents, you might really like this. Me?.. I have to pass.
Available at Sephora for $65

BFTEBeauty From The Earth Mineral Eye Shadow in “Suede” – Last month, BFTE had a special on their sample jars for only one dollar each. It was a new year and I thought I needed to try some new colors to spice up my makeup look. I went outside my comfort zone and grabbed some colors that were going to be hot this year and that were very new to me. When my order came, I was so loving the new colors I had selected. I was also delighted to see that BFTE sent me a sample of one of their other colors. “Suede” is a high shimmer light grey with a touch of taupe that makes it a great highlighter with any color shadow. For a real wow look, wear it alone with a bold liner like a purple or bronze. Here I had ten great uber chic colors that just arrived and I couldn’t stop playing with the speck of shadow in the little plastic baggie!! We will have to see how much I like the colors I did get as the days go by, but right now it’s the freebie that has my interest for a future buy!
Available at BFTECosmetics.com for $6.50

ChanelChanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner – I’ve been wearing eyeliner since I was 16. It is a must have in my makeup routine. Always black, always waterproof and always a pencil that I can sharpen to a crisp point. When I got this pencil to try, it was pretty much a fail on every thing I wanted in a liner. It >was waterproof. But that was about it. Sure, it had a high-ticket name brand, but if it wasn’t what I liked, it wasn’t going to matter. Since the pencil came in a purple-ish bronze color called “Grenat”, I thought it might be nice to try it with BFTE’s sample! Wow… what a stunning look! The liner went on very smooth with a crisp line (even with the self-sharpening pencil.) The color was bold and classy and it gave me a very unique look that was new to me. As to its wear power? All day is an understatement! The liner stayed true, did not smudge, and looked as good when I took it off as it did when I put it on even after all day wear. The good points are it is easy to use, stays put, didn’t irritate my eyes with my lenses and comes in a LARGE array of colors. Its downside? The price. Since I have been wearing liner since 16, I am guilty of saying I don’t think I have paid more than $10 for a liner. However, with the Chanel liner’s stay power, ease of application, and a variety of colors for different looks? I’d seriously consider purchasing another one in the future.
Available at Macy’s for $30

A new month is here and samples, trials and winnings are already rolling in at my house. This is going to be a fun month for testing out new things in my beauty routine. I should have lots of reviews and opinions for you next month. How about you? Did you try or sample anything new recently? Did you like it? Would you buy it in the future? Let me and my other Sass-inistas know! We always want to hear about what our friends have tried recently and what we think! Seriously… don’t we just love to give our opinions whenever possible? So share away!!

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Get (Coco-)nutty This Season!

18 Jan

CoconutOilA while back, I became super sensitive to so many skin care items. I went from someone who could use any one dollar eye shadow without a problem to having reactions to some of the most prestigious brands of makeup and skin care on the market. For a long time, the only thing I could do was to make my own skin care with natural ingredients and use very little makeup, mostly mineral kinds. Eventually my skin balanced out and calmed down, but I was so happy with the items and recipes I had found and created that I continued to use many even afterwards.

One of my favorite discoveries was coconut oil. What a fabulous item from Mother Nature! Originally used just in the kitchen, coconut oil has now become one of most used natural oils in the beauty industry. Because it has become so popular, it is now easy to obtain. Before you would have to go through a health food store or an online organic supplier to get a jar of this miracle oil. Now, you can even get a good brand of organic virgin coconut oil in the baking section of Walmart for a more than reasonable price. How awesome is that?

Lots of people are talking about the uses and benefits of organic virgin coconut oil. When I wrote for MakeupTalk.com‘s beauty blog, I wrote an article about how coconut oil helps with various skin irritations entitled “Time for the Itchies“. I also wrote an article about how to give yourself an at-home hand spa treatment with coconut oil called “Easy Peasy Hand Pampering“. Today, I saw a great article from The Glitter Guide reminding us about coconut oil’s great uses. It reminded me that I may have put the jar that I used almost daily on the back burner lately. I think it is time to bring it to the forefront of my bathroom vanity to get the most of its natural greatness.

Want to read about how coconut oil can bring its other great features to your routine? Then read The Glitter Guide‘s “10 Ways To Add Coconut Oil To Your Beauty Routine“.

Great skin care doesn’t have to come from a cosmetic department or the beauty counter at a high end department store. You’d be surprised how many fabulous, natural products can be found right in your local supermarket or organic store. Coconut oil is definitely one of my faves! Read these articles, do some research, and learn how Mother Nature can give you some fabulous skin nurturers and age fighters right from her own earth!
AnimatedPalmTree

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First Aid Glamour…

9 Jan

RedHeadCrutches
It wouldn’t be a fun-filled sassy winter if I didn’t hurt myself somehow. Since 2000, I have had a hernia, two shoulder surgeries and three foot repairs—just in the cold weather months. And not because of injury either. Just due to the fact that my body is just abnormally cute. Over the past 12 years, I have gone under the knife 13 times to correct funky, strange problems that give me fits. Last year–2012–I made it through without having to pay out my entire medical insurance deductible. That was until the day before Christmas eve.

“Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse” so the famous Christmas story goes. Well, nothing except this sassy redhead falling ass-over-teakettle down the basement stairs thanks to a cheap pair of slippers and a Snuggle dryer sheet. (Don’t ask.) Three ice packs, two hours of x-rays and one fist full of Tylenol later, I was hobbling out of the local ER with two shiny new crutches and one ugly broken bone in my foot. The good news?… no surgery! The bad news?… crutches and a walking boot for 6-8 weeks. The first word in my 2013 vocabulary? Immobility.

Now that I have found that my days AND nights consist mainly of pain meds, foot elevation and rest, I have also found that there are some beauty necessities that need to be stashed away in the night stand so I can avoid skin care and makeup emergencies and little trips to the bathroom for petty things. Recently I have managed to put together a glamour first aid kit which never leaves my bedside. It gives me the items I need to keep myself looking fresh and young (and not so stressed? Maybe?) without the hassle of hauling my broken foot–crutches and all–to the downstairs bathroom. Only when biologically necessary.

So what’s in my glamour “first aid kit”? Takes notes, you may need one some day:

PocketpackHand Sanitizer – You are already on the mend, so the last thing you need is to let germies get at you too. Keep those viruses and infections away! Pick a scent and use it every now and again, especially if you are getting help handed to you from family and friends. Those nasties will stick to anything! SASSY LIKES: Bath and Body Works’ Anti-Bacterial PocketBac Sanitizing Hand Gels in various delicious scents. Bath & Body Works, $1.50

KorresLip Balm – As you “lounge” around the house all day (and I say that with the utmost satire) your lips are going to get drier than dry. Between the 100 phone calls you will be chatting up, the lack of moisture in the house and you not drinking enough (Ah, admit it!…. You know you won’t!), your lips will be borderline cornflakes in no time. Keeping them moist. Apply a balm or butter after every refreshing beverage, phone call or nail-biting soap opera. SASSY LIKES: Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine (neutral pink). Sephora, $12.00 each

TowelettesNo-Rinse Facial Towelettes – Here is the setting: you spent the day reorganizing your sock drawer for the third time this week. BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO!! You are tired, frazzled, and just want to go to bed. But wait!….you still have the lipstick and eyeliner on that you tested out this morning. You’re too exhausted to crawl downstairs. What do you do? Pre-moistened cleansing towelettes are THE perfect thing to keep by the bedside. They stay fresh, moist and are easy to use and dispose of, leaving your face clean without over stripping it. A real foot saver—for your face! SASSY LIKES: Say Yes To… Facial Towelettes, in an array of formulas specific for your skin type. (I like Say Yes To Cucumbers because they are great for sensitive skin). Walmart, $5.59

revitalA Good but EASY Skin Care Routine – This is where a little research comes into play. You are going to have to keep your skin on track with a regular routine, but you may have to resort to just the basics till you can camp out again at the sink for unlimited (ha!) amounts of time to tend to your specific issues. You will need to have multi-function products so that one can do the job of several. Multitasking when your down a glamourista foot is VERY important. Try to keep your routine light, use only 3 maybe 4 necessary products, and make sure they include ingredients that target your problem areas: aging skin, large pores, fine likes, uneven tone, rough texture, etc. Wash your face (use your wipes!) then three steps–bam, bam, bam! Younger, healthier skin from bed. SASSY LIKES: L’Oreal Paris Revitalift routine (Concentrated Serum, Eye Cream and Triple Power Day/Night Cream). CVS, $19.99 each

CottonCandyDeodorant Body Spray – Umm…hello? Stinky? Yeah, sorry, I’m talking to you. You might not be doing a lot but it doesn’t mean your scent is still pristine. Plus showers might not be too easy right now so keep yourself feeling… and smelling… fresh as a daisy. Use a nice deodorant body spray that is light, fresh and fun plus protect yourself from the stagnant stinkies. Plus a fun body spray will lighten your mood and brighten the blahs. SASSY LIKES: Cotton Candy Body Spray & light deodorant. CVS, $3.99

NailErgoNail File – Simple, straight, and right to the point: your nails will become brittle, and you will quickly find that you will be using them a lot more as tools, being stuck in bed. Keep them neutrally polished with a strong top coat on them. And the second you feel a rough edge start, catch it early by filing it down right away. (Totally bored? This is a good time to grab your nail caddy and try new looks with decals, nail paint and crackle polishes.) SASSY LIKES: Sephora’s 3-Step Ergo Buffer, $6.00

BurtsBeesHandCreamHand Cream – Yeah, back to that dry skin thing again. Picking up and carrying odd things, dry air, antibacterial gels and sweating out any moisture on my hands while gripping my crutches has made the need for a hand cream a necessity. I’ve never been a big hand cream girl (I’ve never needed it!) but when I learned your hands can tell your age better than your driver’s license, I began sloughing some on every chance I got. Importantly, make sure you put on a good layer right before bed and let it soak in. (It is not a bad idea to treat your feet either!) SASSY LIKES: Burt’s Bees Almond Milk Beeswax Handcream; CVS, $8.99

So, now you’ve got it: Sassy’s bedside glamour. My favorite items to work on keeping you at your best when you are feeling your worst. Do not forget, though… don’t be an indoor hermit all the time. Even if it is just getting the mail, get out for some fresh air and a dose of sunshine’s Vitamin D. If you are on the mend, you need to as well! It won’t just refresh your mind and body, but it will also give you the energy you need to make a sassy-fast recovery. I’ll keep you posted on my recovery. If you are down for the count for a while, let me know what’s keeping you busy and how my first aid glamour tips are working for you!

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So True…. So True…..

1 Sep

Happy September, Fashionistas!

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My Influenster Summer Beauty VoxBox!

31 Jul

Last month, a Twitter friend of mine told me that if I was a glamour and beauty junkie–which we all know I am–then I had to sign up to be a future recipient of an Influenster box. (By the way, I’m a Twitter regular, so if you are on board, follow me @SassyAuburn).What exactly is this, you ask? Well, it’s a box mailed to you, based on items you indicated you might like from a survey, filled with all kinds of goodies for you to try and review. To good to be true? I thought so… until I was chosen to get the Summer Beauty VoxBox. WOOT! I got it a few weeks ago and it was like Christmas in July. All kinds of stuff from food to beauty supplies to play with and review. OMG, it’s like a Sassy dream come true. I encourage all of you to sign up as well so you too could be chosen in future months. No purchase necessary. No pestering emails or phone calls. It’s easy peasy and fun as heck. Go here to sign up!

So what came in my first VoxBox and how did I like the items I got? Well, I’ll give you a quick peak at what Influenster had me try:

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration – Hawaiin Tropic is a staple in most summer-lovers’ beach bags. This yummy product protects your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays with an SPF of 30, all while keeping your skin silky smooth and smelling like the islands. Many sun blocks irritate my skin, but not this one. My skin stayed moist, I stayed protected while I worked outside, and the scent was awesome! It’s nice to have a product that doesn’t just keep me safe but also keeps me soft!

Sally Hansen Magnetic Color – Everyone knows that Sally Hansen is a leader in the hand and nail industry. Their newest product, Magnetic Color, isn’t just a nail polish but is a nail polish with a funky edge. On the top of the bottle is a magnet. Yup, a real magnet (I put a paperclip on it to test it!). After you put on your second coat of polish, you hold the magnet over your nail while the polish is still wet for about 10 seconds. When you move the magnet away, you’ll see these colorful waves on your nails! It took me a couple of tries to master it, but once I did, I loved the look. And so did others…. I got many compliments on how they looked. I was sent the color “Silver Elements” to try which goes with everything, but I plan on picking up “Polar Purple” as well. It’s a long-wearing nail color in a league all its own!

Quaker Soft Baked Bars – Oh yeay! FOOD! Let me just say, if you want to get my attention, send me food! These yummy little snack bars are soooo delish. They are healthy, easy to take with you for times on the go, and come in great flavors: banana nut bread and cinnamon pecan bread. Perfect when time is of the essence in the morning or when you need an energy boost later in the day, Quaker’s Soft Baked Bars are packed with 6 gr. of protein and 20% of 5 essential B vitamins. I love the soft texture and the taste is fab. These are always in my cupboard for whenever I need a fast, good-for-your body nomnom!

Clear Scalp and Hair Therapy – Every time I go down the hair products aisle at the store, I get dizzy. I have come to the conclusion that there is a product for everything. Dry hair, oily hair, frizzy hair, thick hair, thin hair, color-treated hair, hair that needs oomph, hair that needs to calm down, you name it. But do you know of any shampoo and conditioner that focuses on the scalp instead of the hair? Probably not. But Clear products do. It starts by taking care of the hair where the hair starts—the scalp. By giving the hair a healthy, strong foundation, you can get luscious hair in days. I like the way Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy shampoo and conditioner worked on my hair. It didn’t strip away the color, made my hair soft and shiny, and kept my scalp feeling clean for days. I like a product that does what it says it’s going to do and Clear did just that!

Sally Hansen Nails & Cuticles Crème – …and speaking of Sally Hansen, when you aren’t wearing one of their jazzy nail colors, what else can you do to keep your hands looking young and feeling soft? You can use their Nails & Cuticles Crème. I think this was my favorite product of all in my VoxBox. The hand cream has a light, refreshing citrus scent and is infused with shea butter to keep your hands smooth and silky for 24 hours. Everyone knows that hands are one of the biggest giveaways of your true age, so you want to keep them moist and prevent your cuticles from cracking and peeling. Sally Hansen’s Crème does just that. I’ve noticed a significant difference in how my hands look and feel, a difference I like. Plus my nails have seemed to grow in faster & stronger since I started using it. That’s something I REALLY like!

So, are you interested? Do you want to be an Influenster too? Come on board with me so we can talk about the great new products we will be testing in the future. Influenster’s Summer Beauty VoxBox was filled with the perfect items to keep me looking and feeling healthy each and every day this season! And I found some great new products to add to my beauty routine as well!

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Fab Finds In July!

31 Jul

Usually when I find a skin care product that I really like, it will take a lot of convincing for me to try something different. I guess that explains why I have been using the same line of cleansers, day creams, night creams, and eye cream for almost a year now. I like the company, love the results from the products, and they don’t irritate my skin at all. Makeup, on the other hand, is something very different. I’m always in search of the newest, the best, the hottest items on the market. I probably try at least 8-10 new things each month, either through product testing, freebies, samples, coupons, or just curiosity. A few are great, some just good, and an epic fail here and there. Let’s just say my glamour collection is extensive!

This July, I didn’t try as many new things as I usually do, but what I did try I was quite happy with. I can see myself being loyal to a few of them for quite a while. A few others I can see being used once in a while when the mood hits. Either way, there wasn’t any disappointments this month.

So what few things went into my “absolute fave” section of my makeup drawer this month? Here’s what I fell in love with in July:

Maybelline’s Dream Bouncy Blush – I have been using mineral powder blushes for almost 3 years and still love them. But a few weeks ago, I needed to add a touch of blush to my look and the only thing I had nearby was a pink cream eye shadow, so I used that. I was pleasantly surprised how well it looked and stayed on. So then I went in search of a good cream blush. I had seen advertisements in magazines for Maybelline’s new blush for a while now, but I thought it might irritate my skin or make my face oily & shiny. I was so wrong. This blush goes on light, is totally buildable, and doesn’t make my face greasy at all. It goes on like a creamy gel and dries to a powdery finish. And it LASTS…. all day! I picked “Pink Plum” for my shade and it gives my cheeks the perfect light, rosy glow! (Found in most drug stores and retail stores, approx. $6.50)

L’Oreal Visible Lift Serum Absolute Makeup – Usually I’m not a big fan of liquid foundations, especially in the summer, since I have a tendency to shine up in the heat. But the mineral foundation I had been using just wasn’t lasting and giving me the coverage I wanted. So I decided to take a chance and search out a liquid foundation. After testing several on my wrist, I found that L’Oreal’s colors matched my skin better than most others. When I saw the Visible Lift Serum, I thought the product had a good goal in mind: a foundation that didn’t just reduced the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and age spots but also contained Pro-Retinol A and Vitamin C which would help reverse the signs of aging. The SPF of 17 was an added plus too! Although putting it on straight from the bottle seemed to look a bit “thick” on my skin, applying it with a damp makeup sponge gives me the coverage I like. Not only do I have a foundation that looks good but also prevents the increased appearance of aging. Perfecto! (Found in most drug stores and retail stores, approx. $13.50)

Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner – It’s no secret that heavily lined eyes are in style right now. Cat eyes, smoky looks and rocker eyes are all over the runway and glamour field. There are all kinds of products to give you these high fashion looks, and honestly, I think I’ve tried almost all of them. The only liner I can’t seem to master is the liquid liner look for the top lid. It either looks too thick, goes on crooked or “melts” into the crease. Many times the brush was too short, too fat, or the liner dried out too fast. I just couldn’t get it mastered. One day, while picking up another skin care item at Sephora, I stumbled upon Urban Decay’s liquid liner. What I REALLY liked about this product is that dries almost instantly (so being precise is a necessity!), is totally waterproof and wears true all day. I also love the brush because it is the perfect length and super thin for a really sharp look. Now I am having a blast wearing all kinds of funky eye looks with my new liner. U/D’s liner makes it so easy. Available in 11 colors including carbon black. (Found at Sephora, $19.00)

Red Apple Lipstick in “Flirt With Me” – Everyone who knows me knows that I am a contest-entering fool. I try to win all kinds of things, especially makeup, glamour and fashion items. This month I entered a contest to win a variety of items from a brand I never heard of. I did a bit of research and loved the premise of the company. Red Apple Lipstick makes lipsticks, glosses, liners, and eye shadows that are completely free of gluten, paraben, soy and allergens. They are vitamin E enriched to keep your lips soft and the color long lasting. It definitely sounded like something I would use. So I entered the contest… and I won a lipstick! Yeay Sassy! Free makeup is a good thing…. free makeup that I LOVE is a GREAT thing! I love the color of this lipstick since it is a light, neutral shade with pink, peach, bronze and gold hues. It went on smooth and easy—no tugging!—and lasted a long time while keeping my lips moist and conditioned in the hot summer weather. I’m already planning my next shade since I just love the way it wears. If you want nice cosmetics made by a company in the USA that is safe and free of unnecessary additives, check out Red Apple’s. They guarantee you’ll like them! (RedAppleLipstick.com, $17.50)

That’s it for July, fashionistas! Summer has one more month of heat and sun, then we will begin to get ready for fall and back-to-school. Wow, where does the time go? Well, I’ll worry about all of that when it gets here. For now, I’m going to enjoy my new makeup items, start searching for sale items, and enjoy the warm weather as long as I can. Because I know it won’t last too much longer!!

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Yes, Be “Blue” This Summer!

27 Jul

Have you ever had something that you’ve had to do—like laundry, dishes, vacuuming, etc.—and you just stare at it, like you are waiting for it to do something by itself? Yeah, Ive been doing that with my laptop lately. I know my blog has been neglected. I even have things I want to write about, but the “oomph” just hasn’t been there. Every day, Mr. Sassy can’t wait to go out with his camera and take photos that move him. Why do I need a kick in the arse to get going? Do they sell bottles of motivation at the drug store? I guess if they put them next to the nailpolishes, I would have found them by now. Sigh.

Well, this week I did do something that was a bit out of the ordinary for me. I spun the color wheel and found myself a new shade that I chose to wear that wasn’t predominant in my closet. It was way out of my comfort zone, yet still looked good with my red hair! What color is that? Sea Blue! It is such a fun color because you can mix and match it with other bold colors such as neon yellow or hot pink to create a head-turning look. And you can accessorize it with chunky chains, bows and bangles to really make your look pop. So what are a few of my new blue hues that I’m jazzing on? Take a peek:

L.E.I. Junior Colored Skinny Jeans – Don’t miss out on this fashion fad—everyone needs at least one pair of brightly colored skinny jeans. And these ones fit the job perfectly, pardon the pun. Available in five different colors, I decided to go with a pair in “Lake Blue” since it would fit nicely into my wardrobe. The material is a bit lighter-weight than traditional denim, but has a lot of stretch to them. They can be worn casually with tennies and a graphic tee, or dress them up with a pair of spiked platforms and a long cami. No matter how you pair it, don’t miss out on this hot fashion trend this summer! (Walmart, $15.88)

L’Oreal Paris Infallible Eye Shadow – It’s summer. You want to look good for as long as possible without your makeup running down your face from the heat and humidity. If you are in need of an eye shadow that can go the distance all day without creasing, fading, or running, this is THE eye shadow to wear. To match my skinny jeans, I grabbed a one of these long-wearing cream shadows in “EndlessSea” which goes on bright and beautiful! Wear it as a bold liner on top and bottom lids, or give you eyes some pop by applying lightly from lashline to brow bone on top. However you wear it, you will really like this color and love its 24 hour wear! (Walmart and other retail distributors, $6.97 and up)

Sally Hansen Gem Crush Nail Color – The newest accessory this year is decorated nails and Sally Hansen has all the items you need to bling out your manicure and pedicure. I love this nail polish in “Bling-tastic” which is a multi-hued blue jammed with glitter and sparkle. Wear several coats alone for nails with pop, or use it as a top coat over a shade like coral or yellow for a colorful mix. Keep your nails looking their best in blue and make them an attention-getter with this bright blue Gem Crush nail color!! (Walmart & other retailers, $6.24 and up)

In your mind, you might be thinking that the summer is half over because it’s already the end of July. But don’t let that make you “blue”. Take that flashy color and put it in to your closet and makeup drawer to give your look a bit of an edge this season. From head to toe, you can brighten your ensemble and turn some heads with a blast of blue that will be sure to turn heads as you strut your new bold look and fun burst of color!!

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Do You Prepare For Your Mani?

15 Jul

Tonight, my family and I decided to go out to a nice dinner. Mr. Sassy selected a nice restaurant which wasn’t too fancy but still very classy. I chose to wear nice capri jeans, a patterned “cut out” shoulder top, and strappy sexy sandals. I added a nice smoky eye look with some bright wine-colored lips and I was working it in a good way. Err, well almost. I realized my latest manicure was chipped and splotched, and I had no time for a touch up. When faced with this situation, a fashionista knows it is better to go with NO polish then a sloppy manicure. So I took off all my neon pink polish and thought I was good to go….

…till I got outside in natural sunlight.

My nails were yellow–almost orange!–from dark polish stains. In addition, they had ridges & rough edges and my cuticles felt like bunions. Ewww….. not good. Thank goodness the restaurant was dimly lit so you couldn’t really tell my “clean” nails were stained and uneven. But I knew they were. And I couldn’t wait to get home and get them cleaned up.

Having a perfect home manicure needs to start BEFORE the colored polish even comes out. And I have learned this from experience. So what do I do to prep my nails before the mani begins? Here are some tips you can follow to keep your nails looking just as good bare as they would with color:

  • Have yellow staining from dark polishes? Base coats can help but not completely. If you have some yellowing, brush on a light coat of Clorox Bleach. The Bleach Pen works awesome! Leave a light coat on for about 5 minutes. Then give your nails a good brushing with some whitening toothpaste and an old toothbrush. Bleaching your nails often can make them soft and irritate your cuticles if you do it often so try to only do it every few weeks. Brushing them with the toothpaste, however, will help keep them clean and also stimulate growth.

  • File and buff! When your nails are at their cleanest, that is the best time to shape them and shine them up. File them so the tips are even, cutting down any super long ones and smoothing out any jagged edges that can get caught and tear. Use a buffer to even the tops out getting rid of any uneven ridges or rough spots (this includes any rough spots on the skin around the nails too.) Finally, use a polisher to give your nails a nice, healthy shine. Want a great tool that does all three? Sephora’s 3-Step Ergo Buffer is the perfect tool to get the job done!

  • Use a moisturizer made especially for hands and nails. I’m absolutely loving Sally Hansen’s Nails and Cuticle Hand Cream. It is infused with shea butter to help keep the delicate skin around your nails soft and your cuticles pliable. If your hands are super, super dry, coat them with the Hand Cream then soak them in warm olive oil for 10-15 minutes. Once a week, exfoliate them by adding a teaspoon of white sugar to the olive oil and rub it in on the backs and palms of your hands, and in between the fingers. Then rinse with warm water. This will help removed the dead skin cells that keep your hands from looking young.

  • Keeping your manicure fresh longer will allow you to change and/or remove polish less. That, in turn, will keep you from having to paint your nails more often which can cause staining. Wear gloves when doing dishes and housework, moisturize every morning and night, and protect them if you plan on working outside or with harsh chemicals. If you can keep your mani looking fab for a week? That will keep your nails from staining as much and also keep them strong!

Now I’m relaxing watching TV and taking care of my nails before I put on my next coat of polish. I have removed the yellowing from old colors, brushed under and over the nails to remove any dirt and chemicals, and softened the cuticles and ridges by deep moisturizing my hands–coating them with hand cream and putting them into warm socks for several minutes. Now, I don’t have to be ashamed to go without polish. If my fingers want to take a vaca from polish for a while (which is a good thing now and then), I can make sure they look their best when they are “naked”!!

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