Tag Archives: perfume

Don’t Blink—It’s Almost Summer!

4 Jun

Summer is fast approaching and I couldn’t be happier. I’ve reached my limit in regards to rain, more rain, seasonal depression and an IDGAF mindset. I need sun. I need flowers. I need good produce. I need other people to start smiling. We didn’t really have a bad winter where I live. In fact, the holidays were pretty, the snow was tolerable, my vitamin D levels were consistent, and my health was fine. Last year I was dealing with Covid and about to prepare for a trip to the ER that would result in emergency surgery and a five-month recovery. Yeah, I didn’t have much of a spring and the summer was non-existent. I am antsy to do things. I’m ready to go places. I want to get my sassy back.

So as we get ready to say goodbye to spring and hello to summer, we find it is time to pick up a few things that can jazz up this warm-the-soul season of new that is on its way. Put yourself in a bright and cheerful mood by picking up some of these must haves that I’ve discovered for the beginning of summer:

Ole Henriksen’s Dewtopia 20% Acid Night Treatment:  Let’s face it—time and weather has taken a toll on our skin this year, especially our face. The indoor heat, outdoor cold, stress during the holidays and other circumstances are all factors in how our skin changes during the cooler weather. As the temps and stress ease, we need to get rid of the old and bring in the new. The skin on our face I mean. Dewtopia does just that. Right after you bedtime cleansing, put a thin coat all over your face and neck (definitely avoid the eye area) and let it work. (There are instructions on where to integrate it into your evening skin care routine. I use it alone after I was my makeup off.) You may feel a little tingling but it only lasts for a few seconds. For me, my face tingles for a little bit, and then it feels like it’s “tightening” but in a good way. In the morning, I wash away all of dead skin cells from overnight then put on my skin care & makeup as usual. I use it 2-3 times a week and it’s perfect for me. My skin has never been smoother, looked brighter and felt softer. It tightens the fine lines and wrinkles giving your face a beautiful blank canvas for your favorite makeup look. OleHenriksen.com, $42.00

BYOMA Nourishing Body Oil:  When I had the opportunity to try and test a new isturizing body oil, I jumped at the chance. Its SOO hard to find a good body oil that isn’t soaked in fragrance nowadays. Rather than just leaving your skin slippery and shiny, this oil actually repairs and restores , BYOMA actually regenerates your skin while leaving it hydrated and radiant. This product trial has definitely made a new fan out of me. BYOMA.com, $14.99

MACStack Elevated Mascara:  There are definitely different results when it comes to the endless types of mascara out there. Some lengthen, some help to thicken, others even say they will be even sexier if you keep layering it on. I’ll be honest—I very seldom buy the same mascara twice.  The fact is that I’m always looking for the next best one. You know…a mascara that will make my lashes look fab while also clearing up the common cold? Maybe I’m not sure but I might have found my newest drool-worthy mascara that make my lashes look WOW! The formula not just volumizes my lashes but make them super long as well. It contains argan oil which keeps them conditioned & strong too. Eyes look voluminous and sexy! I usually only put on one coat because the fact is–it’s enough. But I have used more than one coat for a night out. Plus I don’t have to worry about clumping, sticky fallout, smudging or flaking.  I have already put another one in my shopping cart!! Mac.com or Macys.com, $29.00

Juicy Couture’s ”It’s Sunny Hunny” Fragrance:  I have to thank a subscription box for this thumbs up product. A while back, one of the choices for my selection product was a small Juicy Couture candle. I’m a huge fan of other Juicy fragrances so I thought it would be nice to check out this scent. I fell in love before I could get the package opened, It smelled just like the candle which was divine! There are notes of citrus, peony, honeysuckle and jasmine that all come together perfectly and wear nicely as the temperatures outside begin to warm up. As soon as I found it on their website, I had my credit card out! I wear this scent almost every day. I even carry a mini fragrance sprayer (Amazon.com) for touchups during the day. Yay, another Juicy fragrance to add to my faves. JuicyCouture.com. $49.00

Wide Leg Jeans and Floral Print Tops: I had to laugh when I learned of this recently because I began incorporating these things into my closet before the list even came out. My sister was the ultimate hippie and flared jeans never left her closet no matter how old she got. When I found a pair of blue bell bottoms, I figured I’d get them just for comfort and kicking around. I had no idea I would fall in love with their fit (and get compliments on them!) as much as I did. I ordered three more pairs ASAP. In addition, I picked up a couple of floral patterned tops to wear with my new jeans too. I even integrated the color of the season– powder pink – which I talked about in my last blog post. SCORE! I can’t wait to start putting together warm weather outfits. Sidefeel Flared Wide Leg Button Fly Denim Pants, $35.99; Zeegoo V Neck Tank Top, $7.94 (both at Amazon.com)

Although spring doesn’t have much time left on the calendar, I think most of these will be hanging around for a while. Keep in mind that as spring evolves even more as the days go by, the importance of sunscreen and sunglasses will grow. Stay tuned for a post about the types of sunscreens that are good for you from head to toe. For now? Enjoy the longer days, the warmer temps and fabulous looks. Oh, and most important…

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July Must Haves…

25 Jul

Second month! Woot woot! Now don’t give me slack—I’m running to drs and occupational therapy for my bilateral broke wrists plus other drs visits. In addition to all this plus preparing for Eric and I’s yearly trip to our art camping festival, things have fallen a tad behind. Plus I’m a bit concerned on how much I can take while healing. I’m hesitant to put myself way out there while I continue to mend I must say. I am tired of watching time pass me by out my living room window for another season. So we will see how this goes.

Skin Care:

DERMA E Vitamin C Concentrated Serum with Hyaluronic Acid – I think a good face serum is a necessity. You’ve got that skin for the rest of your life… you need to take care of it every day. When you get a serum, try to target only one or two major concerns. You don’t want skin care overload. Derma E’s serum keeps my face bright, even toned plus a boost of hyaluronic acid for soft, smooth skin A little is all you need and it absorbs quick. Keep your light shining bright as well as your skin. **Tip: Add a drop of 100% pure Vitamin E oil to your daily serum to help heal tiny cracks in your skin from weather, sun, environment or others but still remember that sunscreen!) Amazon, $20.49 (20% off coupon available at times)

Makeup:

Realher I Am Convinced Setting Powder— I am the first to admit that the “must have” item in a drag workroom that I too call a must is loose, translucent powder. Depending on the occasion, you either lightly dust to set or you sit with waiting to “bake” it on. No oven needed. Your body temp will soften your foundation, fill fine lines then set it with a loose layer of powder. I found quickly that carrying a tub of loose powder in your purse a horribly messy situation. This great pressed powder is lightweight and gives your skin a nice matte finish without any clumping or smudging on the skin. The shade is perfect and I couldn’t be happier. A big score for Ipsy on this one. (Click picture to link to product)

Hair & Nails:

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat – It was a while back when I read a Top 5 Reader’s Favorite Top Coat list in a fashion magazine. I was able to find Seche Vite’s very easily in my local CVS. It did not fail. Everything that the users raved about was fact. It dried fast, was super shiny, chip proof and was smooth to work with. My only complaint? Because of its quick dry formula, it begins to thicken and clump in the bottle within a few months. Now, I just buy one at the beginning of each summer since that’s when my mani’s and pedi’s are most important. This by far is my go-to brand. Nothing has come close and it’s the only top coat you will find in this house!! (Click picture to link to product)

Fashion:

White Tanks – I couldn’t be happier to see this trend on this season’s list. I love tank tops not just because they are cool in the summer but because you can wear them as a layer with jackets or sweaters. This season, you’ll find cute tanks with flower trim, rhinestone necklines, and carefully placed splotches of color. And to rock a bold bright white color brings a touch of class to the look even a bit more. And please… we all know a white tank with a denim bottom and/or leather jacket just looks FAB! Period. Remember to wear a NUDE regular or strapless bra.) Shein, $6.49

Accessories:

Juicy Couture Puffer Tote – I need another purse like I need a hole in the head. But when my wrists took a turn from whole to pieces, I needed something I could sling quickly over my shoulder. Without difficulty. This not only has the bling, the name and the size I wanted,but the price was a bonus. Holds folded papers and can easily hold a large wallet, a cosmetic bag, and about five other small/medium storage zip bags. This will be around for a while! (Click picture for availability links.)

The collection of goodies that August will feature has already began. Back to school shopping and it’s time for me to look ahead to see what will help you look and feel your best. Always remember if you have any product or availability questions, shoot me a message and I’ll help the best I can.

Till (later) August?……

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What I Am Loving Right Now—Sassy’s Top Five

11 Sep

A fabulous artist in the makeup industry recently made an observation that the retail market for cosmetics in the United States has slowed down considerably. There is a decrease in revenue, and there is thought that the boom may have reached—and passed—its peak. This isn’t slowing down big-names and companies from releasing their latest launches however. In fact, I personally have noticed that EVERYONE is having a launch. Of something! Honestly? It’s getting a little dull and repetitive. How many new lippies do I really need? How many palettes with duplicate colors need to be in my bag? As a writer, it is becoming borderline insane to keep up with all of the items coming onto the scene. The cosmetic industry needs to just calm down. An overload in the market doesn’t generate revenue, it creates confusion. And that’s not good.

With that being said? I am still finding items, thanks to my subscription boxes, that have been great additions to my skincare and makeup. What are my latest faves? Let me show you!

1) LA Girl HD Pro Conceal in Light Yellow & Lavender – I have been to The Makeup Show enough times to say I have learned my share about color theory. I know what needs to go where to correct the tone issues that I have. Some days the dark area under my eyes is worse than others. When regular concealer won’t do the job good enough, I don’t need more concealer… I need to color “correct” the problem! Dark circles come from blood vessels showing under the thin layer of skin under the eye. Although blood is red, the reflective light bouncing off the skin makes the circles appear a dirty brick or purple color depending on how fair you are. I am super fair, and my circles are a blurred purple tone… so to correct that, I use yellow concealer on rough days. If that problem isn’t enough, there are days when my entire face has a yellow undertone. (Thank you strange health condition!) On those days, I put a thin layer of the lavender concealer under my foundation to balance out my sallow skin. It’s nice that these great coverage products aren’t steep in price so I can have the colors I need for minor tone adjustments. (Available at LA Girl’s website or at Ulta.com)

2) essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara – There are a lot of makeup companies out there that claim that they have the mascara that will end everyone’s search for the best one ever. And we believe them. We don’t have to worry about throwing out our mascara every three months because we keep finding a “better” one. Or so we think. I follow a lot of chats and websites that talk about makeup and, of course, that includes mascara. I’ve noticed that one brand’s name comes up more often than not. I decided to research that one a bit more, but when I saw that the price of all of their formulas were less than $5, I thought that must be a mistake. No good mascara could cost under five dollars, so I continued to buy other expensive ones, and went on my merry way. After an epic fail with a high end waterproof mascara, I finally gave in and decided to try it. I got the essence False Lash Effect and waited to say “Ha!” but I couldn’t. It was everything I wanted in a mascara and more. The formula doesn’t budge, the brush combs and fluffs the lashes, and I especially love that the tip of the wand is thin enough to get the bottom lashes without clumping. I can honestly say that this great mascara isn’t “cheap”… it’s just inexpensive and I’m now a fan. (Available online at the essence cosmetics website or at Ulta.com

3) Victoria’s Secret “Crush” Rollerball – Perfume used to be a staple in my beauty routine. I had countless sprays, spritzers, rollerballs and body lotions in all kinds of fragrances. Now that I am involved in industries where I am working very closely with different people each day, I don’t wear fragrances as much. I don’t want to overpower people that may be sensitive to certain smells. I did, however, smell a really nice perfume while I was out shopping one day and knew instantly that I loved it. I asked the person wearing it and she said it was Victoria’s Secret’s “Crush”. I wanted to order a few things in that scent, so I waited to get a good coupon code before I placed an order. I was able to get two rollerballs, a body mist and a body lotion for less than $20. I wear it to work a few times a week, and always moisturize after bath time. I love the fresh notes of peony and peppercorn, and is a perfect pick-me up for a light day-to-day scent. (Available at the Victoria’s Secret website.)

4) TwinMedix Pro:Refine Moisturizer – I will always stand strong when I say that TwinMedix saved my skin. Their original Pro:Essentials line helped to nourish my skin back to health after years of struggling with sensitive skin and various retail brands. I was super excited to see the introduction of the Pro:Refine line for some added TLC to the face as well as target areas. The Pro:Refine Moisturizer is now my one-and-only go-to daytime moisturizer. Not only does it give your face the rich hydration it needs, but it is also full of B5 and Hyaluronic Acid to smooth and plump your skin. You actually feel the increased smoothness as you apply it. My face and makeup stay fresh all day and my skin continues to say “thank you” with TwinMedix’s pharmaceutical-grade formulas. *Note* – This is a reformulated version of the previous moisturizer that I had reviewed in March. The packaging is different and the ingredients & vitamins are even more beneficial to the skin! (Order TwinMedix products by clicking here… Send Sassy a message for a super secret promo code! ❤️)

5) Eau Thermale Avene Thermal Spring Water – Probably out of ALL the items that I have gotten a sample of in the past 10 years, this is the one thing that I thought I would never buy a full size of. Who the hell buys water… in a can… to spray on their face? Well I guess the answer is me. I do my entire skin care routine, then apply my primer. Next, I spray my face with a layer of the Thermal Spring Water, then apply my foundation with my brush. It glides on with no streaks and helps hold moisture in my skin. Even on hot and humid days, that light layer of hydration keeps my skin balanced. I will say this step is not for everyone, but I have come to like it very much.

So those are my newest faves on my vanity. With subscription boxes giving me all kinds of new things to try, it’s nice to see what is out there that I normally wouldn’t even look at. Some things, however, will always be staples that I won’t give up. Let’s see what fall has to bring to the table with changes in skin condition and the colors of the season. But for now? Let’s ride out the summer for another few weeks and enjoy great products while we continue to look and feel amazingly sassy!

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Smell Sexy… On The “Cheap”

3 Dec

Perfume clipart‘Tis the season to shop for all kids kinds of presents for guys and girls alike. And it is a known fact that fragrances are one of the go-to gifts for men to give women during the holidays. But sometimes the price of some of the high-end scents can cost more than a trip to the market…or a payment on the car that took you there! It’s a sweet gesture, but maybe there is a way to find a great scent at a not-so-steep price. Or, even better, how about getting a nice scent that costs about the same as a stocking stuffer? That frees up a whole lot of coin for those over-the-knee boots, a new handbag, or maybe some bling at the jewelry counter.

So what are a few of my favorite inexpensive fragrances that you can ask for yourself, give as a stocking stuffer or just pamper yourself with a new fragrance to lift your spirits during this crazy time? Check out some of my inexpensive favorites:

etc!Rue 21’s “etc!”: This light, bright, fruit-essenced fragrance is a perfect pick me up scent for any time of the day or any season. Barbados grapefruit, juicy apple & raspberry cordial blend together for a refreshing aroma that will brighten your senses and bring a smile to you face… anytime, anywhere. Oh, and the bottle is kind of cute too. So chic! (Rue 21 stores or rue21.com, $9.99)

Paris AmourBath & Body Works “Paris Amour”: I love this scent when I need a little deeper, more serious fragrance. With a variety of notes including sparkling mandarin, strawberry, sparkling pink champagne, apple blossoms, peach, tulip, French vanilla, coconut milk & creamy musk, it has a more forward and enticing aura. It may sound a bit busy, but they actually blend perfectly together. As romantic as the city of Paris is, this fragrance will bring that feeling of romance with you wherever you wear it. (Bath & Body Works stores and bathandbodyworks.com, $6.00 for travel-sized fine fragrance mist. Other products in the same scent available with many holiday sale priced)

PlayboyPlayboy “Play It Lovely”: Over the years, the Playboy name has given off mixed messages. When it comes to their fragrances this year, however, they have come up with a direct hit. My favorite, “Play It Lovely”, is a sweet yet sensual scent. With top notes of citrus, blackberry and juicy pear, rounded out with seductive notes of amber and patchouli, this perfume lets everyone know you are a flirt with a shy, yet playful side. Yup, that’s me and this scent is perfect to let everyone know that. (Walmart stores, $15.98)

Love ExpressExpress “Love Express” Rollerball: There is no doubt that Express makes some fun, fab clothing that is current and chic. What’s even cooler, that many don’t know, is that they make some awesome fragrances too. I stumbled upon this one in a clearance rack at one of my favorite stores, and went back two days later to buy the rest! It’s such a fun fragrance and not many others are like it. Because it’s different than many others, I always get complimented on it. That’s cool! It’s not “busy” with a lot of different fragrances. It’s simple, sexy and fun. With notes of just blackberry, Lily of the Valley, Tiare Blossoms and sheer vanilla, this somewhat basic scent has an enticing appeal… to me and the guys who notice it! (express.com, $7.95)

Britney FantasyBritney Spears “Fantasy” Solid Perfume Pencil: So I grabbed this little goodie while at the pharmacy today. There was a neat arrangement of various “pop” perfumes in solid sticks, placed in a little holiday display while people waited in line for their purchase. Yup, the glamour sucker that I am, I had to pick up each one, test the scratch ‘n sniff patch on the back, and judge for myself. Out of the four on display, three scents were already someplace in my house, in some perfume form. This one by Brittney, however, I hadn’t sniffed before. I liked the sample patch on the back of the card. I liked it a lot actually. So for the price?… I thought why not. I was even more impressed when I took it out. It has a slightly oily/wax base and it doesn’t fade away like many spray perfumes do. The fragrance has enticing yet unusual notes within it: lychee, quince & kiwi, with a bit of cupcake, jasmine, white chocolate orchid and sensual woods. I guess even pop superstars can know a thing or two about fragrance… or at least their managers do! I got the fragrance stick, put it on in the car and will keep it in my purse. A perfect little gift, especially for a younger girl! (Walmart stores and walmart.com, $9.88)

So you see, smelling fun, sexy and alluring doesn’t have to cost you or your gift giver an arm and a leg! Trust me…some of my all-time favorite perfumes would be a pretty hefty purchase if I put them on the top of my list. But there is absolutely nothing wrong with changing up the play and wearing something a little out of the ordinary for yourself or to give as a gift. You never know whose bells could be jingling with a sassy new scent for you or them!

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It’s Not Winter… Yet.

23 Nov

imageThe 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:

imagePaul 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)

imageForGoodnessGrape 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)

imageL’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)

imageMacy’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)

image“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.

Fall divider

Enjoy the rest of your fall!

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Is There Ever A Limit?

16 Jun

Overload

Today, I had an unexpected day off from my j*o*b*. I wasn’t too upset. A weekday to myself to do what I wanted is something that hasn’t come my way in months. Don’t get me wrong–I love my job at the tattoo shop. It’s fun, it’s different, I get to meet great people, and it keeps me out of the makeup aisles at drug and department stores. Except today.

I don’t think I was off the phone with my boss for two seconds before I was grabbing my comfy shoes, keys, purse, cell phone and credit card and was in the car heading for the mall. It was like old times. In my early days as a writer, I would grab my tablet, pick up a drive-thru coffee, then head out for hours at a time testing, trying, sampling and sniffing the latest and greatest additions to the glamour market. Now, I don’t get to play makeup as often as I used to, but when I do get the chance–like today–I take full advantage. And I did.

I did have a goal in mind when I left the house: find a rich, deep, violet purple lip gloss with a lot of shine and sparkle. That was it. One thing. Simple, right? Wrong. Not when someone releases a glamaholic in a local Sephora store. Opportunities? Endless. Overwhelming? Not a chance.

With one item to find, I entered my makeup Mecca and began my search. I went right to the department of the brand I liked the most, but to my dismay they did not have the color I was looking for. So, the worst case scenario followed: I had to search the ENTIRE STORE–front to back, top to bottom–to seek out what I wanted. The question remains…did I find what I was looking for? Not really. Did I find other mind blowing cool shit? Ab-so-freaking-lutely!!!

So, what did I land in my makeup haul today? Let’s take a look:

Purple glossSEPHORA COLLECTION Ultra Shine Lip Gloss: I know I talked about these in my last blog post, but seriously I can’t get enough of these little gems. Sephora’s ultra shine lip glosses come in a huge variety of colors, including sheers, shimmers and glitters. I got one as a free with purchase with my last order (#11-Shiny Pin-up Pink – bright fuchsia pink shine) and turned around and in less than a week, ordered six more: #07 Shimmery Purple Red – raspberry with opalescent shimmer; #13 Reflex Miami Pink – sheer pink opalescent shimmer; #17 Shimmery Golden Beige – light caramel with opalescent shimmer; #19 Shimmery Black Currant – rose wine with opalescent shimmer; #49 Metallic Copper – dark bronze with a hint of shimmer; #50 Rose Petal – rich rose shine. So I was covered right? Wrong. I wear a lot of purple in the summer and found I was scrambling to find a shade for those fashion items. When I went to the store today, they did not have the Sephora gloss in a shade I liked. Phooey. But that didn’t stop me from grabbing two others that will work as well: # 21 Shiny Honey Purple – sheer grape shine; and the very evasive #24 Reflex Dazzling Violet – sheer purple opalescent shimmer (sold out online for over two months!). They weren’t exactly what I wanted, but they were still awesome. ($14.00)

LipstickSEPHORA COLLECTION Rouge Shine Lipstick: With a deep purple lipgloss by Sephora being out of reach, I decided to try the next best thing: a good lipstick. I found a great color with #47 Heartbreaker – Glossy – sheer royal purple. This lipstick is very similar to the shade of gloss I wanted, plus the lipstick is glossy as well and not your usual matte. I’m not anti-lipstick at all, just more if a fan of a gloss. I am in fact an odd bird because I am one who does love the mega high shine and stickiness you get from a gloss. I know, call me weird. But this great lipstick color certainly can be jazzed up with one of those high shine glosses I purchased as well. A great combo of endless possibilities. ($12.50)

Grey shadowSEPHORA COLLECTION Colorful Eyeshadow: I was going to BROWSE the store for a not-to-dark, definitely-not-silver eye shadow. While I was looking at the Sephora line of lip products, I couldn’t help but to glance over the eye shadow section. And, of course, Sephora has samples of every color of every item, so I began finger painting my hands and arms with shades of greys (no book title pun intended) till I actually found one I liked. The #58 Winter In London – Grey Shimmer was exactly what I wanted. Not too dark and smokey so it would look great for daytime blending. It had enough shimmer to make my eyes pop but not too much glitter to make me look like a stri… umm… girl wearing too much glitter. This will be an awesome color to play with! ($13.00)

SpongeSEPHORA COLLECTION The Perfectionist Makeup Sponge: Not too much to say about this purchase. With warmer temps coming soon, I wanted a makeup sponge so I could apply a nice thin coat of foundation and build when and where necessary. This sponge was on clearance, was the perfect size, and hell… it was purple too. ($7.00)

BrushSEPHORA COLLECTION Classic Mineral Powder Brush: This was an item I had been considering buying for some time, and since I was already at the store, I said why not. Being able to pick up, try, feel, touch all of the brushes made the decision to get this one easy. I knew I want a powder brush that wasn’t too big and too loose. It had to be somewhat dense to get to the areas I wanted with precision but still soft to gently apply either my mineral foundation or loose setting powder. Plus I wanted a flat–not rounded–top. This brush is perfect. The antibacterial synthetic bristles makes it perfect for picking up light or dense powders. Easy peasy! ($24.00)

Acqua di gioiaGIORGIO ARMANI Acqua di Gioia Hydrating Body Mist: ALERT! ALERT! TOTALLY UNEXPECTED PURCHASE! Of course when anyone goes to a makeup counter, they always sniff a few if the newest scents that have come out. Typically, I like to buy my fragrances in rollerballs. That way they don’t “spoil” and loose their original scent if I don’t use them up quick (and I never do!). None of the newest rollerballs tickled my fancy. In fact, many were heavy on rose notes which I am not a big fan of AT ALL! A couple were too spicy or woodsy for me in the summer months, a few others were similar to others I already had. Then I picked up this bottle. Without reading the description, I sniffed the bottle and I liked what I smelled. Then I sprayed it on my wrists. *GASP!* It was white! Yeah, not clear like other perfumes, it was watery white. Then I rubbed it in. Ooooo, it was silky! Totally fascinated and intrigued by this point, I read the bottle: hydrating body mist. So, it wasn’t drying like an alcohol based fragrance. It actually provided some moisture. So I decided to break out the iPhone and get some further deets. I discovered the scent “begins with a “mojito” inspired sensual blend of crushed mint leaves, warmed by brown sugar and mixed with the zest of Italian Limone. Then, feminine floral notes emerge with joyous hints of aquatic Jasmine, dew of Peony and subtle traces of pink pepper.” Now, we take those scents which I like, infuse it into an all-over moisturizing body mist, and you’ve got my newest love for the season! Yeay me! ($36.00)

Okay, okay, so I dropped some coin today. But I can easily say nothing I bought will go to waste. I’ve already used one of the glosses (broke it open in the car, what can I say?) and spritzed my skin twice with the Body Mist. I’m sure, depending on my attire tomorrow, most of the makeup items will get used as well. That’s the difference between a new makeup rookie and a glamour guru like myself. Makeup rookies make a purchase to try a new look. Glamour gurus make a beauty investment to enhance and accessorize an already established ensemble.

Of course, then there’s me. I just like to buy cool stuff!

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Must Haves In May

5 Jun

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I hate May.

How is that for an opening remark? I really don’t think any month tears me up more than May. I have lost several close relatives in the month of May, the weather is so unpredictable, allergies are brutal and… oh, let’s not forget the best of the best… my birthday is in May. Getting another year older always puts a smile on my face….NOT! I hate getting old and will fight ANY signs of it as much as possible–mind, body & soul. Which is probably why most of my fab finds this month will help me stay 29…again!

So what are my new favorite makeup and skin care items I found this month? Read on and find out:

image1. Lancôme Visionnaire – A few of the tell-tale signs of your real age is what begins happening to the skin on your face and neck. Fine lines appear, pores look larger, face takes on an uneven skin tone. Everything that screams old. Since cosmetic procedures are not an option to me (don’t know if I would even if I could), I always read about the latest products to fight the signs of aging. My friend Lisa who is a manager at the local Macy’s said I HAD to try this product for a couple of weeks and gave me a few samples of the Visionnaire serum. My current night cream was getting low so I thought it would be a good time to try it out. I had been using a night gel so this Lancôme Serum felt really nice to put on. It absorbed quickly with no tight or sticky feeling. I already notice my skin tone is evening out, and my pores and fine lines seem less noticeable. Boo-Yah! Just what I am looking for. The only down side it’s pretty expensive, but a little goes a long way and I believe the bottle I got will last at least six months to a year. That’s a good investment in younger looking skin. I top it with my favorite moisturizing night cream and let nature do the rest! ($89 [1oz], Macy’s stores & online)

image2. L’Oreal RevitaLift® Miracle Blur – Okay, true story: I was asked to be a product tester for this product early in the month. I read all the info, used it as directed, but I personally didn’t think I saw the results I was supposed to get, so I tossed it aside after a week. Blur is not a moisturizer, Blur is not a foundation, and it is supposed to do more than just a primer does. But it just didn’t seem to give me what i wanted. Then, like only NY can do, the weather did a complete 180, turning not just warmer but flat out HOT! I realized I needed something to keep away the makeup melt-aways and nasty shine. A product that did that PLUS help me with a broad spectrum SPF would be really great. Hmmmm. Funny–those are things that the new product Blur promised. Okay, lets try this again. Now, the directions say you should apply Blur after your moisturizer and before your foundation. When I did that, I didn’t really get the look I wanted. But when I used a little less and applied it OVER my foundation, I got the look I loved with lasting results I wanted. Sometimes I even blend a bit of my mineral foundation into it in the palm of my hand with the Blur which gives me a nice, all-day matte look. Sometimes things just need another chance and a little adjusting. We hope our serums will work fast, but if they don’t do the job 100%, this will hide that little percentage it missed! ($24.99, most drug stores)

image3. Yes to Grapefruit Brightening Facial Towelettes – Obviously I have an OCD issue with the evenness and tone of my skin. I don’t want blotchy-ness and I don’t want scars from my teen years. If I could get my skin to brighten and even-out where I would need minimal to no foundation, I’d be thrilled. These towelettes take off all my makeup with a gentle textured no-rinse wipe. I was worried my sensitive skin might find it contained a bit too much acid from the grapefruit, but my skin tolerated the wipes just fine. I do feel some tingling after using them, but nothing that irritates or breaks out my face, more like a clean feeling. Oh and I love the scent! These are awesome for those “I’m too tired to take my face off” nights. Just leave a pack in the bed stand for just that! Congrats to Yes To for another fabulous line of products!!($5.99, most retail stores)

image4. Jimmy Choo’s “Flash” Parfum – Okay, so a new scent may not make you look younger, but it can definitely make you feel younger. And isn’t that what counts? This second fragrance from shoe expert, Jimmy Choo, has a pop to it that just takes the wearer’s charisma to a whole new level. The perfume caught my attention on a scratch & sniff page in one of my favorite magazines. (“Samples sell!!”) I INSTANTLY fell in love with it and the search was on. I was able to snag a mini bottle on EBay till I could get a regular sized bottle. This is truly one of those WOW! scents. Notes of pink pepper, strawberry and tangerine open you senses to a rush of power, allure and sexiness that you can even see within the person wearing it. It is very new, so watch for it. I think you hear more about it in the months to follow. ($55.00 [1.3 oz], Nordstrom’s and Nordstrom’s online)

image5. benefit’s They’re Real! Mascara – I am embarrassed to say how many mascaras I have featured on my blog as the greatest, best, advanced, favorite new product I’ve ever tried. Especially since I’m going to do it again. Ok, Sassinistas…. what do I always say about samples? (Look above, silly!). The sample of this mascara was actually the birthday gift to Sephora Insiders, so I picked mine up when I stopped in the store a few weeks ago. Okay, nice, a cute mascara, I’ll try it someday. Well, that day came while my husband was out of town recently and I had nothing to do with my free time except try makeup looks out of my glam mags. I grabbed a few of my fave products from the bathroom including “little” items that were easy to carry. I grabbed this mascara since the mini tube was easy to handle. I knew as soon as I put the mascara on a few of my lashes that is was really different. The “brush” coated each lash more like a comb, separating and plumping each lash. Seriously, they chose a great name for the product because it makes your lashes so lush, they almost look fake. As full as they were, removal wasn’t that difficult at bedtime either. I cringe to think about adding another mascara to my beauty drawer, but dang! I have GOT to get this one!! ($23.00, Sephora stores and online)

And there we have it! It may not be my favorite month of the year but trying new products kept my mind and writing hand busy. Phew, no doubt…. May was BUSY!! Soon, I’ll be talking about hot summer items that you’ll want to have on hand (and feet), so keep reading to learn about “summer must have’s” in your closet, beach bag, makeup drawer and on your bathroom counter. Is there anything YOU want to know about: Hot nail colors? Must-have hair products? Stylish shorts? Summer accessories? Skin tamers? Ask me! I’d love to do a blog post where I can help my readers with their fashion & glamour questions. Don’t wait… send them in!!!!

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Sassy’s April Six

1 May

imageCan you be serious…. April is over? It’s MAY? I am the first to say that I have been waiting patiently for longer days and warmer temps for a while now. But wow, April sure flew by. I guess when you are stuck inside during cold, cruddy, wet weather, time flies. At least that’s what I’m trying to tell myself. Work with me.

Even with April flying by, I was still able to find my six monthly gotta-love-’em items. Some came in right under the wire too! So what did Sassy fall in love with last month? Lets take a look:

image1. Kate Spade’s “Live Colorfully” – Samples sell, people…samples sell. This was a scratch and sniff flap sample in one of my glam mags last month. I probably would have purchased a full sized bottle I liked it so much, but I’ve been falling for so many scents with this new season upon us so I decided to get the rollerball. This worked out perfect too because I can just throw it in my purse when I have a long day out of the house. With top notes of mandarin & pink water lily, a heart of golden gardenia & coconut water and nice lingering notes of sheer amber & tahitian vanilla, this light perfume stays with me all day. kate spade nailed this new scent for the season, in a bright crystal bottle with a light, refreshing scent. It combines fun, sexy, flirty and seductive all in one easy-to-wear, easy-to-carry scent. A Nordstrom exclusive! ($24.00)

image2. OPI’s Nail Lacquer in “Pussy Galore” – Go ahead, get the giggles out now. Heck, I did it too. Done? Okay. OPI created a fabulous collection based on fab girls from the James Bond movies. What’s so cool about this line is it is known as “liquid sand”. The polish, when dry, actually feels like you painted your nails then rolled them in…umm…sand! It’s different, it’s funky, and that’s what we love about OPI. The color “Pussy Galore” is a shimmery, sparkly baby pink. It is THE perfect polish if your nails are at an in between stage like mine are now. I broke a few so I had to cut them all down and start over. This color is muted enough to not stand out and scream, “My nails look like baahh!” but gives it enough color AND texture to still look neat. Right now I’m REALLY impressed that I’ve had it on for four days and do not have one chip. I might have to look further into the other colors in this collection! (Available at select beauty stores, $8.50)

image3. Lancôme Paris CILS BOOSTER XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base – Primers are not just hot sellers, but are becoming almost requirements to get the look you want with your makeup, plus get it to stay fresh looking all day. A sweetheart of a girl who works the fragrance counter at my local Macy’s is gorgeous, and one of her best features is her eyes. I asked her what exactly did she used and she showed me. Although I was familiar with the Hypnolash mascara she wore, I wasn’t familiar with this mascara primer. It’s really easy to use…basically goes on with a white base using a regular mascara brush. This pre-lengthens and pre-plumps your lashes, prepping them for whatever mascara you use, helping it to give your mascara its full potential. To combine it with Lancôme’s Hypnose Star Mascara gives you long, lush, full, fluffy lashes that STAY just like the instant you put it on and keeps going ALL DAY. Am I thrilled with adding another step to my routine?…not completely. But the fact that the Super-Enhancing Mascara Base mascara gives my eyes the look of wearing false lashes is totally FAB! Totally worth it—thanks, girlfriend! (Macy’s, $24.00)

image4. Yes To Blueberries Age Refresh Overnight Hydrating Cream – I’ve always been a fan of the Yes To brand. It targets specific concerns while keeping true to its promise of a natural, cruelty-free products. I am a big fan of the Yes To Cucumbers makeup remover wipes, so when I won this night cream from a website drawing, I was excited. I won’t lie: I have a nighttime serum that I use faithfully to help cell turnover, exposing younger firmer skin. But it’s a serum and serums target problem areas you want to fix. No matter whether it be day or night, you need a serum to do the dirty work, but you still need a daytime moisturizer with an SPF and a night cream that hydrates and combats aging. I have a lot of moisturizers that I’ve collected over the years, but nothing specifically for night. Yes To Blueberries Overnight Hydrating Cream was exactly what I needed. It is 97% natural, hydrates my skin without making it feel greasy, refreshing scent, and keeps my face smooth. Now the bad news–this specific YTB night cream is no longer available to the public. (*sniff sniff*-tissue please). But the good news it has been replaced by Yes To Blueberries Deep Wrinkle Night Cream. This product is 99% natural and works hard to fight deep wrinkles as well as to hydrate skin. You actually get more benefits with the newer product! I can personally say I have noticed a BIG difference in my skin with this cream. Plus the quantity for the price is AH-MA-ZING! Keeping me looking young is what I want and that is what YTB Night Cream does for for me. (Retail outlets & drug stores, $13.99)

image5. Nuance Cucumber & Rosewater Dual Phase Makeup Remover – Ever since I can remember, I’ve only used two eye makeup removers. After all these years, I now have a conundrum: one of them has gone up in price significantly and the other has been discontinued. Figures. I was given a sample of a high-end solution which I absolutely loved, but the price was really steep. So I headed to CVS to check out other options since they were having a fab skin care sale this week. I happened to stumble upon Salma Hayek’s Makeup Remover. It caught my eye instantly because it had the dual layer formula which is very important when removing waterproof makeup. I did a bit of online research and everyone who had tried it gave it five stars. Good testimonial right there. The regular price for a 4.3 oz. bottle is $7.99, but this week it was BOGO half price. AND I had a $1.50 off coupon. The deal was made. And I’m glad… because its awesome! It’s not greasy at all, has no scent, is very lightweight, and gets off even the toughest waterproof makeup (with glitter too!) I grabbed two bottles which should last for some time. I may even have to check out Salma Hayek’s other beauty items when I go back to the store! (CVS, $7.99)

image6. GUESS Kate Skinny Black Jeans with Side Lace Up – Okay, I’m sure the description alone sounds like something out of a Harley Biker Wear catalog. But it’s not. In fact, these jeans scream “Rockstar!” Low rise, true black denim pants with a crisis-cross lace design down on each outer side. They look hot, they make you feel sexy, they fit in all the right places and they are to die for. Nothing cutting, creasing, or wedging in the wrong places. I swear these jeans were made for me! In fact, so did Ian, my sales associate at GUESS! I’d LOVE for you to see an actual picture of them but they are SO NEW that they haven’t made it to the advertising phase yet. (I love being the new girl on the block.) The picture shown is the same pants in brown faux suede, so you get an idea. I have to say, without a smile, that these were the most expensive pair of jeans I have ever bought. And if I didn’t think they’d get worn or didn’t fit that good, I would not have bought them. But oh baby….. I WILL get my money’s worth and then some. And then some more! (GUESS retail stores, $148)

I have to say, I was worried early in the month. I wasn’t buying a lot of things and was pretty content with what I was using. Plus the weather is getting warmer so digging out the Spring clothes was like getting a whole new wardrobe! But these fab six managed to make their way into my life, and for that I’m thankful. As always, I encourage you to try one or more of these great products if you are looking for something specific or if you just want to try something new. Sassy likes them. I hope you do too! And of course, if you do?… LET ME KNOW!!

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The Midlife Crisis of a Sassinista….

14 Apr

MidlifeCrisis
Okay, so this post doesn’t have a whole lot to do with fashion and glamour. In a way it will, since my solutions include them. But it’s more about feelings. Oh, see? There goes all the male readers, shutting down their iPads and heading to the fridge the minute they read the word “feelings.” Most men will agree that women + feelings + emotions + conversation = MIGRAINE or DISASTER. Scotch or exercise. Or doing anything that hasn’t been done in months around the house that suddenly needs tending to, so they can avoid the topic like the plague. (“Yeah, umm, honey? I’m going to take care of that thing by the shed. You know, that thing!”) I truly believe emotional fashionistas are walking time bombs. We are one sad news story or spilling wine on a white bebe top away from just losing our shit. And it’s not pretty. OH, it’s not pretty at all.

I go through this stage–lasting from a day to a month–probably once a year or so. It happens more frequently than before so I kind of write it off to a midlife crisis…that happens frequently. So you see, this isn’t new to me. When it does happen, it tends to happen in winter. Medical professionals might diagnose it as having “SAD” which stands for “seasonal affective disorder”. Doctors are still perplexed about these winter-related shifts in mood. Blah blah Vitamin D deficient, blah blah seratonin decrease, blah blah lack of sun. WHAT-EV-AH! All I know is it makes me feel old and lifeless. This year, I have to say, it didn’t hit till now. A little late this year, according to Dr. Mood Disorders. I’ve been riding pretty steady the past few years, surfing the confident and contentment wave for a while. Happy with my work, happy at home, happy about life. But lately, kind of out of nowhere, I have hit a wall. And I’ve hit it HARD. I am blah about feeling BLAH! Oh, and I refuse to go the “Oh I hate my life. Nobody likes me. My work is so unfulfilling” bullshit route. I know I have good days, days I love! But right now, all I know, is I am having a midlife meltdown. I’m in a solid funk.

What does it feel like when a Sassinista gets in a funk? Anything and everything. (AKA: Be afraid!) To me, I feel “old”, I look “old”, I can’t remember what I said five minutes ago and I already forgot what I was going to say next. I have this pathetic feeling that I everyone I encounter will piss me off, and most times they usually do. Driving to the store gets radioed out to law officers ahead of time that a redhead in a four-wheeled weapon is on the road and all should proceed with caution. I sometimes think I could lock myself in my closet with my iPhone or iPad (of course), a bottle of Red Coke and a box of oatmeal cookies for a week or maybe two and I’d be thrilled. But the fact is, I need to make some changes. And it’s up to me to turn it around.

So how did it come to this? I don’t think I would be wrong in saying that the weather here HASN’T helped. One day it’s sunny, the next it’s cold and windy, sometimes we go for days without any sun. It rains, it snows, it sleets at any given time without warning. (That would be right now in fact.) I could spoil myself at the mall in a pair of leopard espadrilles (that’s a wedge-type sandal) with boyfriend jeans, feeling all primped and pumped, only to leave and see an inch of snow on my car. Like… WTF is up with that! Because of being cooped up through all this, I get stir crazy at home. I sleep a lot, I get restless a lot. I get grumpy a lot. I eat a lot. Or I eat nothing at all! Even if I treated myself to a little “retail therapy” or “food fixation”, I’d feel okay for a bit then I’d feel bad about it later. It’s a vicious circle that I’m just spinning around in, day after day.

So the question becomes… how do I emotionally, physically, mentally and financially get out of this funk without losing a friend, cleaning out the shoe department of Macy’s, making Xanax my meal of choice for breakfast, or just grabbing a few necessities and moving into the shed? The “good” news is I’m not alone with this. (Oh my God, you mean there’s more of me?) Doctors see it all winter long. Some of my friends get in the rut. But I don’t think it’s just a “pop a pill” situation. I think a lot of the fixing has to be done slow, from the inside, and with a lot of help … by myself. Now granted, if I thought this was serious in any way, I’d be at an M.D. in a heartbeat. But since my funk has funked me before (that sounded funny!) it’s a case of just doing little things to slowly get out of this. And with the calendar on my side, there is hope. So I’ve listed some things I do or try to do when I need to do some “funk-busting”. These things are not for everyone. Lord KNOWS they aren’t for everyone, but if something tickles your fancy, smile and consider doing it:

Sassy’s Personal Funkbusters:

1). DO SOMETHING…ANYTHING! Laying in bed, shutting yourself away from society is not going to help your blah mood. Even if its just reading a magazine at the book store, hitting a coffee shop with a friend, doing work on the iPad, or taking photos…do SOMETHING out of the house. The fresh air–no matter how cold or wet–is better than being droopy in bed watching endless episodes of Law & Order SVU.

2). Get a haircut. If its been a while, take some time to revamp your hair. You don’t need to do anything drastic either. Your can always try playing with a new color, but I love my auburn and wouldn’t mess with it. But a nice trim, followed by a home warm coconut oil or yogurt masque will give you AND your hair a major boost.

3). Get a manicure. Just to have someone massage then hold my hands then paint my nails for an hour is well worth the small price. Pick out a color that will match the mood you want. Plus salon mani’s are good for you nail strength.

4). Go for a small walk. Yeah, I know… BORING! But go for a walk at the nearest mall. Hell, bring a coffee. Yes, it’s good exercise but take it in as a sight seeing tour. Look at everyone around you. Try to guess what they are thinking. Make up stories for different people. It’s almost like making your own movie in your head!

5). Watch your favorite sad movie. Watch it all alone with a box of tissues and cry your mother-loving eyes out. Sometimes a good cry is cleansing. Think that all these negatives you feel that you are surrounded with are being washed out. Then have an ice cream or a cupcake and depuff your eyes with cold cucumber slices. Shhh. I won’t tell.

6). Play beauty parlor. Put yourself in front of a mirror, drag out every hair styling tool and styling product. Take all your makeup brushes and your glamour selection and go to town. Grab a couple of magazines with new seasonal looks in them and practice. Take a pic or two of each look with your phone so you can see what you like and mistakes you can avoid in the future. Be daring, be adventurous!

7). Go shopping. Yes, retail therapy is costly and only temporary, but you don’t have to let it be. Research local consignment shops and thrift stores in your community. Do some second-hand browsing! It keeps your purchase costs down and local business thriving too.

8). Find a new fragrance. Go to your local high end store and sniff away. Don’t forget to cleanse your senses with coffee beans after every third sniff (just put a few in a zippy bag and bring it along with you.) Also bring two extra baggies with cotton balls in them. After trying as many as you can, spritz your two faves in each bag, zip it up and keep them. Take them home and try them again tomorrow. It sometimes takes a day or so for all the notes to come to the surface. Once you find one that lifts you up?–go for it.

9). Volunteer. Shelters, food banks, hospitals, nursing homes… they are always looking for people to put a smile on their residents faces. Maybe you can do your daughter’s nails or her friend’s nails! You’ll find yourself smiling in no time too!

….and lastly….

10). Get a tattoo or something pierced. Seriously, this is NOT for everyone, but patheticly it is for me. Does pain infliction cause me to feel younger? No, but I gotta say I feel high as a kite for months after I get some new ink. I dunno.

I hope none of you are in a “screw everybody” mood like me, but if you are, take some pleasure in knowing you’re not alone. Let’s hope these blues make way for some bright clear skies, warmer temps, pretty flowers and glamour and fashion galore! Don’t let your mood get the best of you. Chomp away at those blahs, one small bite at a time and soon you’ll be flying high again!

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Sassy’s Sexy Six…

5 Mar

Six

Each month, I try to list six new things that I have found, tried, and liked. They may be something I will include in my daily routine, or they may just be something that I think is a good product but just not for me. Here are my six favorite things that I found in February that I think are pretty awesome and you might like as well:

Towelettes1) Garnier Sensitive Skin Towelettes – I am a fan of many Garnier products, but when I saw this one, it really caught my eye. Not because it just removed waterproof mascara (which is very important to me) but also because that it was dye free, fragrance free AND made for sensitive skin! I like that they offer two different towelettes for different skin types. Heaven knows we ALL don’t have the same skin type, and the more specific the products I use on mine, the better. Keeping my fingers crossed that these will be a nice choice for a “clean face on the fly” situation. (Walmart, $4.97)

LeGloss2) L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Le Gloss Lip Gloss – I am a lip gloss whore. I admit it. I will try anything new, and the shinier the better. I got a sample as a perk one month from L’Oreal and didn’t think too much of it. I just added it to the collection. But one day, I was in a bind for a nude gloss so I grabbed the L’Oreal sample of Nude Illusion. OMG, fell in love immediately! Yup, samples sell. I went out, coupons and deals in hand, and I got three more shades to cover just about every color scheme I own. The gloss is shiny, it’s consistency is thick, and it screams runway ready. And it has just a hint of butter cream scent/flavor which is fab. Just what I love–my kind of gloss! (CVS, $7.99)

BCBG3) BCBGMAXAZRIA Bon Chic Perfume – I was really in the mood for a new scent to welcome in the new season that is quickly approaching, so I wanted something bold, sassy, fresh, sexy and alluring. I found all that and more from BCBG. Not only that, but for a limited time, Macy’s is offering a complete fragrance set with medium sized bottle of the perfume, a purse sized bottle, a shower gel and a body lotion, all for one low price. I always stress that layering your scent will help it last longer and keep the scent true. This set gives you everything to do just that. Oh and did I mention you just happen to get a large gold overnight bag as a free gift with purchase? Ah, yah…cha ching! Freebies=good! (Macy’s, $75)

BlackDiamonds4) Sally Hansen Diamond Strength No Chip Nail Color in Black Diamonds – The black polish thing is really growing on me. When done neat and precise, it’s very stunning. But I have to admit I’m a sparkly/frost polish kind of girl and most black polishes are just shiny black. When I found Sally Hansen’s diamond polish, it was exactly what I had been looking for. Straight up black with bling. I think it’s going to be perfect for pretty designs and funky looks, plus make people take a second look at my jazzy nails! (CVS, $4.99)

JuicyPants5) Juicy Couture Velour Track Pants – Anyone who knows me knows I’m not a brand chaser. If it fits and looks nice, then it is for me. That goes from thrift store jeans right through to couture gowns. With that being said, I never was a huge fan of Juicy track attire because I actually thought you were just paying for the name and you could get something comparable at a less expensive retail store. Okay, that was until I got a scream of a coupon deal with Juicy that I couldn’t pass up. I had a code for an additional 70% off all sale merchandise. My first thought was to check out the velour pants since they are so known and chic. I found two pair, less than $30 each on sale with the code. I got them and they are awesome! The fit is great, they wash like a dream, hold their softness, and look fab. I doubt I’ll ever pay full price for a pair, but on a sale like that, I had to follow the trend! (JuicyCouture.com, $23)

CranberryJuice6) Cranberry Juice – Nope, it’s not just for bladder infections anymore! (Sorry, bad female joke) As a redhead it is important for me to do whatever I need to in order to keep my hair its sexy shade of red and prevent premature fading. Cranberry juice does just that. Now remember, you can’t just buy a cheap store brand of some juice blend. You need to be specific here. You have to find 100% cranberry juice, unsweetened and not in a blend. Ingredients should be: cranberry juice, water. THAT’S IT! After I condition my hair in the shower, I let it set for a minute or two then take a small mist bottle full of the cranberry juice and cover the hair, lifting and spritzing. Massage the juice in with the conditioner and make sure all your hair is coated. Let sit a few more minutes then rinse THOROUGHLY! The natural color of the cranberries plus its abundance of vitamin C helps to brighten your hair, prevent breakage, and protect it from harsh environmental elements. Keeping those auburn locks shiny is major plus in my book! (R.W. Knudsen Just Cranberry Juice 32 oz., Walmart, $5.75)

So these are my six sexy finds in the past month. How about you? Have anything new you have bought or sampled that you weren’t expecting to like or buy? Show and tell, ladies! We want to know! Us females are always dying to dish about some new goodie or tricks that we just love to love. So share away!!

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