Everything Is Coming Up Roses

Oh my, how time flies by. I guess I didn’t realize how quickly one day turns into 5…5 days turns into 2 weeks and now it’s been just over 2 months since my last post. Life’s been a bit chaotic with a newborn and toddler…and I’m the hostage. However, life has finally become a bit more…um, normal. I guess I can say that now. I think I’ve finally figured out a bit of a system, although that system is definitely flexible. One thing I try and do every day is to get dressed and put something on my face. This actually gives me motivation to do something. Whether I go for a walk with the dogs and kids or we go to the park or I have the opportunity to do a little Tracy Anderson workout, or even do a little cleaning around the house,  I feel productive that day. The days I don’t do a little makeup, I find myself sitting on the couch watching some series on Netflix or Hulu until the Husband comes home and finds me exactly where he left me…and I end up feeling a little hopeless.

Recently, I have seen a trend in some of the products I have recently picked up, received and already have. I think part of it is my subconscious giving me signs that things are going to be okay, things are turning around. If you read some of my previous posts, I was not only pregnant but kinda homeless (not really…just in limbo!). Well, my family and I found an area that we like that is also in close proximeter to both my job and the Husbands; the kid arrived and in great health and he’s pretty darn cute too. Life is blooming…and the products I have been using seem to be a reflection of this as well. I’ve been a little obsessed with rose in products. When a friend gave me the Matrix Oil Wonders Volume Rose Plumping Mousse, after using it and obsessing about not only the amazing bounce, lift and overall life my hair had, the smell gave me a little bit of happiness. Every time my hair bounced a little aroma of rose filled my personal space and I couldn’t help but smile. So I immediately purchased the shampoo and conditioner in the same formula. Which I also absolutely love! Again, the smell is amazing!  Captivating! And my fine hair loves the fullness and volume I get everytime I use the two together. Especially the conditioner, as volume conditioners have a tendancy to not really condition my hair or leave it dry and tangled, the Matrix Oil Wonders Volume Rose Conditioner makes every strand silky smooth, with out weighing it down! A must try if you have fine thin hair like mine. One of my go to easy products has been the Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses CC tinted moisturizer in Nude mixed with my favorite No 7 True Identity Foundation in Light (you can read about that post here). The duo together create just the perfect amount of coverage, making it look as though I am not wearing anything at all, just perfect looking skin! And it just so happens, every time I apply the 1000 Roses CC tinted moisturizer, a little smile emerges on my face.

Another recent obsession of mine has been the Stila Set & Bronze Baked Powder Trio, a rose hued bronzer that I found in Marshall’s for only $7.99, which I like to use as blush. This provides a rosy bronze gleam to my cheeks and looks as though I just came back from vacation. I think I love it even more because it was only $7.99! Unfortunately, it looks as though Stila has discontinued this product, as I don’t see it on the website…but I found a posting on eBay (although it was over $20…not the same deal I received..boo!) and you might also be able to find it on amazon. Another one of my go to products is from a line called, Catrice, that to my knowledge is only available at Ulta in the states. In fact, I have only ever seen the products on the Ulta website. But if you are looking for on trend products at a mere fraction of what even drug store products sell for, then this might be a new obsession for you as well! Anyway, I’m loving the Catrice Absolute Rose eyeshadow palette, which is only $6.99! While the pigment is not comparable to Urban Decay (which I don’t always like anyway) when used with a primer, these colors are just as beautiful and last a good 10-12 hours throughout the day (or night!)

So, for the past few months, these rose hued and rose scented products have really kept me going. Which begs the question, why? Well, I guess it’s not surprising that makeup and really any beauty product will make me feel better, but then why not just use anything? It turns out that the aroma of rose has medicinal properties that have been known to help with depression as well as stress (and a whole lot of other ailments!). So every time I’m taking a whiff of my shampoo or tinted moisturizer, that smile that sneaks across my face is a natural side effect of that rose aroma. No wonder people tell you to stop and smell the roses…not only are they telling you to slow down, but to relax, de-stress, unwind…give yourself some you time. So, while life can definitely be challenging, unpredictable and down right crappy at times, don’t worry, go grab the shampoo or tinted moisturizer and take a good whiff, because everything will eventually come up roses.

 

I do not work for any of the companies listed nor did I receive any compensation for this post.

My Rosy Makeup Look

Beauty Snob?

I had a very big need for a little retail therapy after a visit to the doctor’s office (don’t worry, I’m okay, the little unborn kid is good too, I just didn’t love the visit) Anyway, I decided to go to Ulta to grab some makeup goodies, as I have been seeing so much about some of the new products being launched. Since this visit I didn’t have my gold card with me, I opted to look mainly in the mass brands half of the store. I was in search of something new…something that maybe could change my life. Okay, so not my life, but maybe my brows? Or how about perfect looking skin?

With my wish list in hand (and coupons and of course sales galore — this is Ulta after all) I stepped in side all for a little retail therapy. I B lined for the mass department and not only saw a few items on my wish list, there were new products I had not yet heard of or seen. Oh, a feeling of beauty euphoria was warming my soul.

On my visit, I ultimately ended up grabbing a Rimmel foundation – Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation With Comfort Serum (not a new product, however, new packaging – I  read some really fab reviews, and thought what the heck. $6.99? I’m gonna go for it). Since it was buy 1 get 1 50% off, I also went for the new Brow This Way Eyebrow Gel(in hopes in would be a dupe for the Benefit Gimme Brow Eyebrow Gel). While I’ve been loving my current mascara, the new Maybelline mascara -Lash Sensational Luscious Washable Mascara – was intriguing me…so I put that in my Ulta shopping tote too. Since that was buy 1 get 1 50% off, I grabbed yet another brow product to see how it compared to my NYX Micro Brow Pencil or Anastasia Brow Wiz pencil, the Maybelline Brow Define And Fill Duo – Again, I was hoping I would find another dupe. Then I grabbed a couple other NYX products, NYX Hydra Touch Brightener and  Soft Focus Primer, “cause guess what? Buy 1 get 1 50% off those too. After points and my $3.50 off $10 coupon, I walked away not spending more than a week’s worth of Starbucks Grande White Mochas. I felt better. Much better. That feeling of beauty euphoria had enveloped me and that doctor’s visit was a distant memory. But alas, I had to go to work, so I had to wait a full day before I could even start to play!

The following day I decided to start off with the Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation With Comfort Serum  and to be fair, I had to stick to my otherwise normal routine. I mean, I’d hate to try the NYX primer and Rimmel foundation and not like the finished look. Then how would I know which product, if any wasn’t right for me? So, starting with my current priming team (Boots No7 True Identity in Light and Andalou Naturals BB Cream; equal parts mixed) I then followed with the Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation With Comfort Serum. So far so good. I chose the right color. As reviews had indicated, nice coverage, satin matte finish and a flawless coverage. Setting powder I later learned was really optional, depending on how much more matte you would like to be vs a natural finish without powder. Now, I’m focusing on this product because prior to the Rimmel foundation, I was using the Dior Star Fluid Foundation, which I was really enjoying. Nice medium natural coverage, long lasting, satin finish…I loved every aspect of the product, except the color. I just couldn’t find a color that I felt was a perfect match…not even really a good match. Just decent and that was with some bronzer and blending. Back to the Rimmel foundation. Overall, it really has exceeded my expectations. But I think the part that blows my mind the most is the price. After coupons and discounts it was just over $5 for a 1 oz bottle. The Dior Star Fluid Foundation? Just a bit over $40 and that was with my 20% off Sephora coupon I had. While I was really crushing on the Dior Star Fluid Foundation it wasn’t until I noticed how hard it was to get the color to work with my skin, (but that is what happens when a store doesn’t have the best lighting to choose your best color and the other choices were not even close to a match), that I realized how disappointed I was. However, the Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation With Comfort Serum seemed to meet all of my requirements and it was just about $5. And with that, I felt even better about my Ulta shopping session. Who needs a therapist when there are beauty products?

Prior to my cheapie foundation discovery, I have always believed that foundations from prestige brands were better. Not only can you sample them, you can make sure the color is best for you, and of course the packaging and marketing make me fall in love with them even more so. I mean, I still have my Dior Star Fluid Foundation. The bottle really is fabulous…but it now just sits there. I know that it will sit there until it goes rancid or I find a friend or family member that can use it instead. As with my  Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation With Comfort Serum, maybe because it is a UK brand and in Europe there are just higher standards when it comes to the ingredients and making of a product. The packaging is okay, I didn’t buy it because it looked beautiful, but more so because the reviews it has received were high. Oh, and the price…how could I not try a raved review product for just about $5? While I have purchased cheapie foundations in the past, I never stuck with them. It was an impulse purchase because at that time I was selling products that competed with those cheapie brands and I wanted to know what those other products could and couldn’t do. However, I would still wear my prestige foundations 95% of the time…Looking back, I’d totally call myself a foundation snob.

I guess now, especially being in different circumstances to where I was when I could easily purchase the prestige/higher end products I never really gave those mass brands a chance. Now that I really can’t just go to Sephora or Ulta or visit the beauty counters in the department store and drop some serious cash, I really have been able to see that many mass brands in fact do live up to the quality and performance of those prestige brands.

If you are a current beauty snob I suggest heading over to your local drugstore or Ulta and checking out some of the mass beauty products. There are some really great finds that will meet and or exceed the expectations of some of your current prestige products.

Are you a beauty snob? Or do you like to mix and match? Or do you stick to mass products that have received the top notch reviews for quality and performance? Leave your comments below!

Barely Fabulous

Flesh Beauty is all about feeling good about yourself, no matter your age, skin, height, weight, etc. It is so important that you feel good about yourself because life can be pretty miserable otherwise.

I have to be honest with you…when I am in sweats and a t shirt, just waking up and then looking in the mirror in the morning, I see a vaguely familiar person, almost unrecognizable until I realize that tired older woman looking back at me…is, well me. And then I feel like a tired older woman. Not how I want to feel throughout my day.

The problem is however all me. It was this past week, the husband was away on a business trip in Vegas. That left me home alone with the kid. I’m stoked. However, after 2 days of looking like a tired older lady, I decided to do something to make me a little more fabulous…but by barely trying.

So, giving myself a limit of 10 minutes I challenged myself to looking barley fabulous…with barely any products. This is what I found worked-

Step 1- Use a wide tooth comb to run through slept in hair

Step 2- Use a curling wand on larger sections of hair and hold for 10 -15 seconds before releasing. Making sure not to curl every section, but about 3/4 of my hair…barely fabulous!

Step 3- Spray with a texturizing spray for light hold and beachy waves. (I just picked up on clearance at CVS a texturizing spray from Nuance, Texturizing Enhancement Finishing Spray – LOVE IT so much I purchased another one…I just hope this product isn’t gone forever!!!!)

Step 4- I used a BB cream mixed with a tinted primer for lightweight even coverage. My mixture is an Andalou Naturals BB Cream with equal parts Boots No7 True Identity Foundation in Light. This combonation perfectly hides redness and discoloration without settling into fine lines. It also provides me with light/medium satin finished coverage.

Step 5- 2-3 coats of a mascara that will simply add a rich black color and giving more volume at the base of my lashes. I received a freebie Clinique High Impact Mascara over the holiday season and found it provides just enough lash enhancement without being too much. And it is easily washes off with my face cleanser.

Step 6- I’m always gonna look a little older, unless I do something to my brows. In an untouched state, my brows are barely there (mostly due to the over plucking phase of the 90’s, thanks 90210) and now my brows just won’t grow in certain places so it’s up to a brow pencil to help me achieve the perfectly arched brows to frame my eyes, giving me a more lifted and awake look. Honestly, if I wanted to keep it uber simple, I’d just do mascara and brows, but then even that sometimes just isn’t enough. Anyways, I love the Anastasia Brow Wiz in soft brown but then I saw that NYX has a total dupe (I use ash brown) that is half the price. So that is my go to pencil of choice. I like to out line my brow shape and then lightly fill with the pencil and then follow with the brow spoolie on the other end of the pencil.

Step 7 (and the last step)- Concealer. For me, it’s a must. I go to my tried and trusted (and reviewed here) Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla. It is the perfect pick me up for my eye area and anywhere I may need to coneal any redness or blemishes…it also blends seamlessly into makeup free skin.

10 minutes and barely fabulous. I can walk by a mirror with my 2 1/2 year old and not get scared by the woman holding the kid, as I no longer am frightened by my reflection, but recognize myself, looking, well, barely fabulous.

 

What simple steps do you take to looking you barely fabulous self? Comment below or even better, post a selfie of your barely fabulous self (#barelyfabulous)

 

I do not work for any of the companies listed nor did I receive any compensation for this post. All products have been purchased by myself (although, feel free to hook this beauty blogger up!)

 

 

My Skin Is In Love

I’ve been acting like an over obsessed teenage girl recently. It all started while visiting a Pharmaca store in the Bay area. Taking a look around in the beauty department a cute clear raspberry red glass dropper filled with oil was flirting with me. I mean, it was there just taunting me wanting me to give it a try. And of course I did. The scent of rose was subtly intoxicating. The oil melted into my skin leaving a healthy glow behind. The price was under $20…but I didn’t need it. I already have the Wholly Hemp Moisturizer that I loved and my skin loved too. So, there stayed the Andalou Moroccan Beauty Oil.

For the next week and a half, all I could think about was this fragrant oil that left my skin with not just a subtle intoxicating scent but a healthy glow as well. I acted like a teenage girl in love, obsessively looking the product up on line – what are the ingredients to make up this perfect oil? (There is argan oil as well as pomegranate oil, but more about that later) Who else liked this product? Is Andalou on Facebook? Like. What about Twitter? Following. Pintrest? Following. Not on Instagram…yet. With a little bit of research on Andalou.com, I found out that Andalou means ‘A Path of Light’, where Andalou was created to be a gateway between the best of nature and knowledge and a bridge from farm to bottle and botany to beauty. The formulas of Andalou have been cultivated from a diverse portfolio of ancient botanicals and modern technology. Basically the best of plants and science with a culture of giving back. In fact, with every new subscriber, Andalou donates $2 to socially responsible projects. A skincare company that also gives back? I’m down…My skin is seriously crushin’ hard for Andalou.

Two weeks go by and I find myself back in the Pharmaca store. I run (not walk) to the Andalou Naturals section. I grab the Moroccan Beauty Oil. Yes! It’s finally mine! I couldn’t wait to go home, wash my face and put this all over. And so I did.

Andalou’s Moroccan Beauty Oil was everything I dreamed it would be…light weight, yet moisturizing, leaving a wonderful dewy glow. My husband even said he liked the rose aroma he could smell as he sat next to me on the couch. Over the course of six weeks, I looked forward to my daily skincare routine, both morning and evening. My skin loves the oil as the first step of my skincare routine, followed by my Wholly Hemp moisturizer. It may seem like too much oil, but my skin just soaks it in leaving the perfect amount of glow with out any of the oily shine.

So, what makes Andalou’s Moroccan Beauty Oil so amazing? Well, first, I must mention Argan oil. The ever popular moisturizing agent helps protect skin’s hydro lipid barrier for a naturally flawless complexion. It also contains Pomegranate oil which is rich in tannins and polyphenols to tone and tighten the skin. There is also the 1000 Roses Complex which consists of rosewater and rose essential oil, which gives the oil its subtle fragrance, but also is good to soften and soothe sensitive skin. There are the Alpine Rose Stem Cells, to increase skin stem cell vitality, boost epidermal regeneration and improves the skin’s barrier function.  But wait, there is more! The Moroccan Beauty Oil also contains a Skin Soothing complex made up of Hyaluronic Acid (one of my favorite anti ageing ingredients!), Magnolia Bark, Boswelling and Date Leaf extracts which work together to provide a protective moisture barrier with sensitivity pathway blockers to alleviate inflammation and inhibit skin reactivity. OMG!?! I think my skin is in LOVE!

Where has Andalou been all my life? First launched on March 11, 2011 and founded by Stacey Kelly Egide, CEO and Mark A. Egide, President. Both bring 25 years of natural beauty experience to the table. There is also the commitment of the following:
– Uses natural and Fair Traded Ingredients
– 70% certified organic content
– Non GMO verified
– Gluten Free
– Vegetarian and Vegan Ingredients
– Eco Friendly Ingredients
– No Animal Testing Policy
– All products are made with out the following: GMO’s, Petrochemicals, Phthalates, Sulfates, Synthetic Colors, Dyes, Fragrances, Triclosan, PEG, MEA, TEA, DEA or Paraben Preservatives

Since using the Moroccan Oil, I have also tried a few more products from Andalou which my skin has also loved.  I may have to wait a little bit longer, but I think it’s fair to say my skin has found it’s happily ever after with Andalou.

 

No one will ever know you missed out on sleep with this brightening eye cream!

Not only do I love the smell my skin loves the anti aging and moisturizing benefits.

Skin acting up? Prevent breakouts and treat current with this non drying mask/peel. I love using this monthly, ya know, around that time.

Love this super gentle, gel based exfoliator. I could use this daily if I wanted but save it for once or twice per week.

My Holy Grail no makeup makeup! Love this on days I’m just doing errands or going to the park with the Kid. Also makes an amazing primer for an ultra dewy finish!

I loved the BB Cream so much that when I saw this CC cream I couldn’t resist. Similar to the previous in uses and benefits. There is also an additional shade for darker skin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We do not work for any of the companies listed nor did we receive any compensation for this post.

The Beauty Of Friendship

Like a tone of bricks, it hit me. I finally realized that a day off from work doesn’t really mean a “day off” but all the ‘to do’s’ I can finally cross off my list. Not sure why it took me so long to realize. I mean, it’s been like this for me for about 2 years (ever since the kid came along). I’ve just been in denial for about…well, I guess two years!

Why is it that as we get older we lose the time for ourselves? It seems as though everything is done for someone else, taking care of other people, pets, etc.  Recently, my life (and I’m sure many of you can relate) has been for the service of others, and I haven’t had any time for me. I mean, I barely have alone time before the kid wakes up in the morning. As much as I am a morning person, the kid has me beat. Anyway, so recently Jeanette and I decided that a girls trip was in order for both of us and we could use this as the perfect time to brainstorm about FLESH beauty. Where else does one go to get away as well as do a little beauty brainstorming?…none other than Las Vegas.

So away we went…yes, to Las Vegas. You may question the location, but really, the location is arbitrary, we needed distraction free (okay, maybe a few distractions), with out the kids or husbands needing us for one thing or another, and get into a more creative mode. Anyway, not only did we get a ton accomplished (oh, you will see!) we had some major “me” time.

Starbucks for breakfast and lunch? Yep, did that. Cocktails and nachos for lunch? Yep, that too.  In bed by 9:30pm and up at 7:00am? Yep, we did that. (Hey, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas) Having a friend along for the ride was great. Especially a friend who is as passionate about beauty products as I am. We visited every beauty store on the strip you could imagine as well as gave each other the “okay” to purchase said beauty products. What kind of friend says yes you should purchase that lip shaped mask from an unknown brand? This one does. (Yes, you should really try the Spa Life lip mask) What kind of friend doesn’t pretend to not know you when you squeal like a schoolgirl because you just found your new favorite skincare at super discounted prices in the aisle of Marshall’s beauty department? Yep, my friend and beauty cohort, Jeanette.

While it was only a few days, I feel completely refreshed. It was nice not to have to focus on the needs of everyone else but just, well, me. Turns out that a bit of “me” time with a friend is exactly what the dermatologist prescribed! My skin no longer looked tired (that could also be from the skincare masks purchased) and I looked a bit younger than when I arrived (well at least the husband thought so).

Next time you find yourself lost amidst the hectic and craziness of your life, give your friend a call and book a mini get away. You will thank yourself for it!

Spa Life Lip Mask Jeanette purchased and was kind enough to share with me!

Andalou Naturals Exfoliating Peel – found this while shopping in the Marshall’s beauty department. I only paid $6.99! Normally retails for $14.95.

 

 

We do not work for any of the companies listed nor did we receive any compensation for this post.