The calendar says November. Last time I checked, winter started sometime in December. And Christmas came AFTER that. So even though the leaves all are off the trees, my local stores have their decorations up, balsam wreaths are for sale, and Santa is at the Mall, I’m sticking with all my might not to lose sight of the fact it is fall. My favorite season. And I’ll enjoy it while I can.
Now, the fact remains we have already had about an inch of snow fall outside my back door, my furnace is on, firewood is being delivered this week, and all of my boots and sweaters have been brought out of storage. It did get cold. Really cold. Really fast. But I still see my lawn, I still see fallen leaves, and I still see my pumpkins on my front step. In my mind?… autumn is still around. And we can enjoy a few transition things to keep us looking and feeling our best before we look like an Eskimo–24/7.
So what are a few things I am glamming up on before the Arctic chill officially hits? Check out these pre-winter but still fall goodies that I’m finding are a must have right now:
Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum – Snowing or not, we have to acknowledge that furnaces across America are kicking on. And this, in turn, is causing hair–my hair!!–to get dry and frizzy. When I got a sample of this clear wonder, I figured I would give it a shot. The only thing that concerned me was the fact that the bottle stressed to only use ONE PUMP into my hands, rub together, and run through hair. I’m like, “Glamourista PUH-LEEZE! I’ve got hair longer than a horses tail!” One? Okay…sure. We will play by rules. So I put one dollop in my hands and ran it through. And yes!…. one just about did it. I added a little more to the ends just to make sure they got coated too. But I must say a little does goes a long way so use what it says! It seals moisture into each strand making it shiny and keeping the frizzies in check. Perfect for the weather right now! (Sassy gets hers from paulmitchell.com)
ForGoodnessGrape Gingerbread Lip Balm & Sugar Scrub – I love the scents of all of the late year holidays. I am the only one in the house, however, who is a big fan of gingerbread. I can buy it and no one else in the house eats it. Perfect. Awesome. Proper. When fall hits, I love all the seasonings associated with the season. I burn candles, mix oils & bake breads and other delicious delectables with these sweet spices. So if I can burn them and eat them, why not wear them if the opportunity arises? So I do! ForGoodnessGrape is my go-to resource when my lips begin to get cranky with the seasons changing. With a flavor for any holiday, season or mood, they always have something to keep me and my lips happy. I use the sugar scrub to gently exfoliate the chapped, dead skin on my lips then replenish and seal in moisture. Their gingerbread combo is one of my favorites this time of year. And yes, my lips certainly like it too!! (Sassy lands these goodies at forgoodnessgrape.com)
L’Oreal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow in “Bottomless Java” and “Iced Latte” – Im not sure why but I wear very little warm colored clothing in the spring and summer months compared to what I wear in the fall and winter. I probably only have two pairs of brown flats and one pair of brown sandals. That’s it. But for fall and winter? I have at least two pair of high boots, a pair of suede over-the-knee boots, and at least two-three pair of shorter, combat style boots. I wear more brown and ivory sweaters than any other color (after black of course.) If I’m going to rock some slammin’ style in warm color tones, I need some makeup to match. The Infallible Shadow line from L’Oreal has always been a favorite of mine and they’ve even added more colors! Now I have two great warm shades to compliment my look when brown earth-tones make their way out of my closet. Because these two eye shadows can really make your eyes POP! with the right mascara and liner, I suggest keeping your lip shade natural with a hint of clear shine or a gentle nude long-wearing gloss. You won’t need to worry about your eye shadow, though. Any Infallible shade from L’Oreal will stay put. All. Day. Long. Epic! (Sassy grabs these eyeshadows at CVS.com)
Macy’s Material Girl Kurt Combat Booties – Speaking of boots, I have my own personal theory about boots and changing seasons: boots should get higher only when snow rises and the temps fall. So, when the weather is 30 degrees on Monday and 55 by Friday, lower booties are just fine for now. And I have my fair share. Some are leather, some are suede. Some are grey, some black, some brown, even some taupe. If I have the outfit, I have a pair of boots to match. I have a wonderful pair of black suede combat booties that I have had forever. They fit great, comfortable as heck. But I wanted another pair with no heel height in leather just for a change up now and then. This was a well thought out purchase: reading reviews, checking style, and considering comfort feedback. Then, the day I went to order them, I got an online code for 25% off. Score!!! I love how they fit and feel. Nice support, true to size, and comfortable for all day wear. Great find for the fashion closet that was very reasonably priced. (Yup, Sassy grabbed this gem at Macys.com)
“Dolce” by Dolce & Gabbana – I don’t know. I’m just one of those girls that feels she needs to start a new season with at least one new fragrance. This year, I did it a bit backwards I think. I ordered a new fragrance for fall that caught my nose (and those of my fellow workers) almost immediately. It had a dark, alluring, almost naughty edge to it. It was deep, and honestly, that’s not usually me. But this one worked. So I gave it a try. Well, I’m still loving it, don’t get me wrong, but I think it’s a bit too heavy too early. So I’m backing that scent up in the drawer and getting a new fragrance that I got as a sample in my boot order. Dolce & Gabbana is one of those companies that usually always delivers an appealing scent to me, for both men and women. This one didn’t let me down either. It is fresh, feminine, elegant and youthful with significant notes of white flowers and white amaryllis. This scent can be worn all year round since it doesn’t really reflect the season, but more the person wearing it. The sample sold–I will be adding this rollerball to my collection this week! (This was a great deal for Sassy at Nordstrom.com since they NEVER charge shipping!)
So, you see? There is room in between seasons where adjustments can be made to your fashion and glamour collection. In addition to adding a few new things, take this transitional time to go through storage to sort out your next seasonal collection of clothes. Try them on, ask yourself how much you wore that piece last year. Once or less? Put it away in a box for a consignment shop. Check their condition too. You may love that glitter Guess sweater beyond words, but if it’s faded, has a hole or two and missing sequins, you’ll have to realize it is only being held together by memories…you may have to say goodbye. It’s okay. Really, it is. Plus, we know fashion: As soon as that new Vince Camuto ombré sweater catches your eye… you’ll forget all about that other one.
Enjoy the rest of your fall!
RÉNERGIE MICROLIFT R.A.R.E.™ Superior Lifting Cream SPF 15 Sunscreen by Lancome 
Eye Believe by Philosophy – If keeping your face looking young is as important to you as drinking bottled water, then keeping your eyes looking young and wrinkle-free should be as important as taking the cap off of the bottled water! It is a fact that your eyes are one of the key indicators of aging. You want an eye cream that keeps the skin in the eye area moist and well hydrated. BUT… here’s the key… if you get a cream that is too rich, you can actually clog the small pores around the eye causing tiny clusters of little white bumps. That’s bad. Very bad. I tried this eye cream for a week and loved it almost immediately. It’s a silky cream that isn’t too heavy or thick, but still has all of the age-fighting peptides that are crucial in youthful looking eyes. It glides on with a powder-like finish so you can put your makeup on right over it and not have to worry about any greasy residue causing your eye makeup or foundation to slide off your face. Again, a little goes a long way. I’m just finishing up my first tube, and I’ve had it for almost a year. (Available at Sephora retail stores and Sephora.com)
Lip Shimmer by Burt’s Bees – The name Burt’s Bees is as well-known in the glamour industry as Coke is in the area of beverages. I will admit, I’ve read and heard fabulous things about their lip products but had never bought a single item. Every makeup review site I have ever written for or looked on has endless compliments about the Lip Shimmer products. Maybe I was just being a makeup snob, thinking that an inexpensive skinny little drug store tube could actually be so great. Well, I guess the crowd was right on this one! This long-lasting sheer shimmered color infused into a vitamin-enriched, natural balm is perfect for moisturizing my lips for an extended period of time and giving them a designer look. Plus the slight mint tingle is soothing as well. Available in 11 various colors, this little goodie is now a constant in my purse while being easy on the wallet! (Available at most drug and retail stores)
frizz
L’Eau The One by Dolce & Gabbana – Sometimes you will get a whiff of a fragrance that smells totally unique, completely different from any other scent that you usually wear. It intrigues you so much that you keep sniffing your wrist or the little cardboard card where you spritzed a test spray to see if it jazzes you as much after an hour as it did when you first tried it. That’s what I did when I tried D & G’s newest fragrance. Its description of having a “fruity, head-turning twist” is dead on. It is a more glamorous scent with a hint of diva-tude than your average citrus-infused perfume, but still appealing enough to wear with anything and everything… from jeans and a glitter t-shirt to a backless evening gown. 
Sassy Auburn's Diary Of A Glamour Junkie... 