W.W.J.D? (What Would Jean Godfrey-June Do?)

As the beauty editor at my fave magazine, Jean Godfrey June is seriously my go-to gal for beauty advice. My love for her began when I got my first copy of “LUCKY”  4 years ago. I was reading her columns in “JANE” but they folded in early 2008 and my subscription switched to LUCKY. If you don’t know already, it’s all about fashion, shopping and BEAUTY trends in the NOW! I still, to this day, flip right to her column in the mag and get whatever I can afford asap to try out. She is a genius when it comes to what works and what dosen’t. She also wrote an autobiography called “Gift With Purchase” which I read cover to cover in 1 day. She told the tales of how she got into the beauty industry and all the inside scoop at lucky and all the parties etc…..good read for people who love all things PRODUCT. (I like to use CAPS when I am excited can you tell?) I mean really if  I had access to the “closet” of products at LUCKY I would fight girls to be first in line!  The LUCKY staffers get to pick through all the products in the closet after Jean, the Queen of Beauty, gets to. The products range from perfumes to primers to all of the latest makeup and lotions/ soaps. Oh that would be HEAVEN for me…seriously! Sigh…

So the point of this post is I really went out on a limb after reading Jeans column in the Feb LUCKY. She is around my age (maybe older, 40ish?) and she said the two things all gals need for flawless skin is the Clairsonic cleansing brush and any good quality cleansing oil. Oil? On my already Jewish/Italian greasy face? Ok, I am listening. I did get a Clairsonic after talking to a girlfriend who has one. She sung the praises of how it will change my skin, clean away way more dirt and oils…..well, I got one and I use it every night….such a big difference! The makers of the Sonic Care toothbrush came up with the technology for this face cleaner and it rocks! I love how it “beeps” to let you know to move to another “zone” of your face (read the directions, it will all make sense) Is this device cheap? Not a chance…..but I do think it’s an investment in YOU…which is really important. I use the 1 minute cycle of cleansing to reflect on my day and think about how awesome my skin will feel when I am done. The La Mer Cleansing Oil is what I chose to try. It also is NOT cheap but it smells amazing and it really does leave my skin soft and NOT greasy at all. It gets rid of make up like a champ as well. I use heavy gel eyeliner and it cuts right through it. Jean said to put a small amount of the cleansing oil on post wash just to get it into the skin. I have been on this regimine for the past 2 weeks and wow, what a difference!

So for us 35ish and up chicks, I think it’s time to get some good face wash and tools to prolong our skins awesomeness! Go drop 2 hundy and thank me later! You are SO worth it! xo Amy

2011 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 1,200 times in 2011. If it were a cable car, it would take about 20 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Awapuhi = BIG SEXY HAIR!

In my never ending search for hair products that work for me, I think I may have found my new favorite. Last time I went in for a cut-n-color, my girl asked me if I ever tried mousse. I had, but back in the early 90′s when Sauve helped me to “scrunch” my spiral perm and left me with crunchy and wet looking locks. Well, my friends, mousse has come a LONG way since then, and I finally met my mousse match. And we are in love. Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Hydrocream Whip is hands down the best product I have used for root boosting and blow outs. I also use it for “scrunching” my semi-curly waves on lazy days. You only need a tiny bit on your palms and you can feel the rich moisture as you work it into your roots. I was shocked at how much BIGGER my hair looked without feeling weighed down. I also love that it gives a protective layer from heat and styling tools. And did I mention that it smells AMAZING!!  I was telling my mom about it at dinner last night when she asked what I used in my hair to make it so full. People will notice the difference I promise you that!

Now, I do like a steal in my never ending search for new products. I was at my candy store Walgreens (they know me by name now) the other day and I was drawn to the Gwen Stefani image above the Infalliable lip wear display. I remember the old days of “Lip Finity” and how these 10 hour lip colors would dry and flake after 2 hours. I swore I would never have dry lips again and forgot about them. Product description says:

“This revolutionary and innovative formula delivers bold, luscious color that lasts all day long, making it the ultimate beauty indulgence. Infallible Le Rouge Lipcolor offers up to 10 hours of vivid, hi-definition color and shine, while hydrating Vitamin E keeps your lips moist and comfortable. Discover the truest color payoff in a creamy, conditioning base.”

I picked up “Forever Frappe” since it looked pink/neutral for $6.99 and went on my merry way. Like a typical junkie, I ran out to the car, ripped off the plastic packaging with my teeth and popped open the mirror. It was smooth and PRETTY! No, it didn’t last 10 hours, but for at least 4, I had that color rockin and my lips felt moisturized. I love this stuff! It looks good over my MAC Russian red for a tone down during the day! I am going to try other colors as well…and at that low of a price point, you can buy them all!

And I just have to give some love to my beauty icon….Miss Stefani! Love you doll face! Xo Amy

Tan-O-Rexic Part II

A while back I posted about how I used to be tan-0-rexic in the 90′s and how I vowed never to step foot in a UV tanning bed ever again? Yeah, well, I fell off the wagon….dear readers, please just listen: We got invited to go to Mexico last January with friends. No kids were allowed so we thought it would be a great and cheap get away for just the two of us. Something in my head told me I wanted to look bronzed, that I needed a “base” before we went, tan fat looks better then white fat..blah blah blah. Well, it was the little tanning devil on my shoulder whispering his usual LIES about what I needed to do to feel and look good on vacation. Unfortunately, it felt good, and I looked good and everyone complimented me in my tan skin. Now, the ironic part was I slathered on SPF 80 on my body and wore a hat the whole time while on the vacation. But when I was in the tanning bed, I wore the tanning accelerator the young, tan, 20 something up sold me on when I went to buy my tanning “package”. She even told me that the beds now have “good UV rays”. Why did I believe this? The little devil was on my shoulder again saying it’s ok. Talk about asking for skin cancer. Like a true addict, I was in denial about my problem and figured after we went to Mexico it would stop. Well, I had a few tans left so I had to use them right? Wrong…..of course the young, pretty ,tan sales girl saw that I was almost done and up sold me again on more tans….(Why were they not this “discounted” when I first signed up? Hummnnn???) I knew we were headed to Vegas in March so I wanted to pre-tan once again. It’s ok, just ONE more time (or one more hit? yipes) for Vegas. Again, I was super tan for Vegas even though it wasn’t really pool weather down there. I think the ONLY smart thing I did during my tanning binge was cover my face with a towel….but still, UV light can creep through those as well. The summer finally came around and I was already tan, I wore my arsenal of sunscreens and big hats and still managed to stay bronzed.

So here it is, I am taking the first step in admitting I have a problem….I think we all really love the way our skin looks with a “glow” but I know better then anyone that the advances in self-tanners have come so far since the 90′s. Some of them, like Sublime Bronze by L’oreal really do look good if not overdone.So as I let my endless summer tan fades, I look at my paleness and make my yearly Derm appointment for a mole check and hope he dosen’t ask me what I have been up to this past year. I am sure he will know….that’s why he is a doctor.

On a happier note, as I re-enter myself this winter into tanning rehab, I found a product that not only provides great coverage but SPF 50 built in without the breakouts!  I was at Walgreens and as all beauty product addicts know, the drug store is like a candy store for us. I was just browsing the Physicians Formula display and my eye was drawn to a bright orange compact. It was their new Powder foundation with SPF 50. I was very happy to see a product at a price of $5 that had more then SPF 25 in it. I bought it of course and went home to try. It WAS great coverage and it matched my skin perfectly..(I got medium) I went online for product description:

“Protects + Prevents + Restores New! Skin-Perfecting Coverage Smooth Powder Finish Hypoallergenic Fragrance Free Paraben Free Non-Irritating Dermatologist Approved Non-Comedogenic Oil-Free Healthy = BeautifulDelivers maximum broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and full coverage with a soft-matte finish. Beauty’s Response to a Thinning Ozone LayerProtects – SPF Boosters and Mineral-based Titanium Dioxide & Zinc Oxide provide SPF 50 protection and help skin stay protected longer without residue or greasiness. “

I think the packaging is fun too! I never  thought of using a neon orange compact with a storable neon pink sponge. It’s always MAC black. I preferably like to use the powder with a giant powder brush and save the sponge for on the go. It is my new fave face powder and I pray they don’t discontinue it! And it sure feels good to get something that good for such a low price! With these sunny December days (and overcast too) you gotta remember your sunscreen…spf 20 does not cut it people! Trust me……all the laser treatments I have had to remove damage proves it! So go at least SPF 30…you will thank me later! xo Amy

Throw out your scales in 2012!

Hello to my 238 followers! Well, it’s really 2 people following my blog via wordpress (thanks MOM and KATE) and the rest are facebook followers! It was  fun to finally look at my blog stats after starting this creative outlet that I love so much! I never realized anyone was really reading……so a big THANK YOU to you all who have taken the time to come over here and read (or just look at the pictures!)

Today marks the 6th day without eating anything processed or drinking my coveted glass (ok glasses) of wine at the end of a long day. I must say, my skin is GLOWING! I feel good, my workouts are feeling much more efficient and I am sleeping like a baby. They say it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks, but I am starting to believe it’s possible. I know this isn’t a permanent thing with the holidays in full bloom right now, but I will say it’s a nice change of pace. I think being here and putting it down on the blog makes it even easier to keep up the momentum.

Speaking of old habits…I turned 35 this year. I still have the immature mind of a 15 year old boy at times  and I catch myself wanting to tell people I am 32…like, all the time! I do feel a bit old when I shop at forever21, but I can’t stop, the prices are too good!  And why the zits? I thought zits were supposed to go away by now…..nope! I get those once a month, extra greasy face zits STILL! Only difference now is I have them coupled with night sweats before Aunt Flo arrives that soaks my sheets like I still need potty training. Yes, it’s gross, but I never thought that turning 35 would come with,gasp, pre menopausal  changes…like the metabolism slowing down (no more taco bell fourth meal for this gal!) , the grey hairs (I pluck em, you can’t stop me until I start looking like Smeagol from Lord of the Rings!). I used to have a six pack abs from a six pack of coors light in my late 20′s! Not the case these days, I think what gets me the most is I have to eat much less and work out A LOT harder to keep my self in decent shape. One great thing about turning 35 is I finally decided (with the help of my husband who is sick of hearing my whining after 10 years of marriage) to THROW OUT MY SCALE…..in the garbage. It was hard at first because if it’s there, you will step on it. I was a slave to that thing since I was in college and I can’t believe the freedom it gives you when it’s gone. It’s not about the numbers, but how I feel day to day…..and really, do I want my 5 year old daughter to see let alone hear me worry about my weight? Not really. I would rather instill good clean eating and excercise and some endulgences from time to time. Everything in moderation. Period. To be honest, I do allow myself to check my weight at the doctors office (yes, I too hate that you can’t get naked for that weigh in…not fair) and at least once a quarter at the gym just to make sure we are maintaining not gaining beyond what’s reasonable. The best part is I have learned to hate the scale and LOVE MYSELF! I am not perfect, but I do have a crazy laugh that gets the crowd going and I know I have come so far from my insecure days. They try and creep up from time to time but the mature me knows it’s not true and I am a freakin rockstar mom and wife….word!

With the new year coming up, I also thought it would be fun to make some beauty resolutions. Since I  finally got the “Wonder how much I weigh” monkey off my back this year I can focus on more important things:

• Try to stop picking split ends (at least a little, I am the worst!)
• Use the magnifiying mirror for plucking not picking
• Continue on my Obagi regimine for the REST OF MY LIFE ….it’s gold I tell you!
• Do a friends nails via stamping, shellac, or plain old manicure to get good girl time at least once a week
• Clean my brushes more then once every 2 weeks ( the zits!)
• Continue to talk to my daughter about inner beauty while allowing her to play with my makeup for dress up
• Learn to do a perfect I just stepped out of the salon blow out
• Keep the boozing to a minium to keep the youthful skin glow
• Try every single product sample, you never know if you are missing out
• Don’t be scared to ask someone what their using/wearing/eating/reading, most people are happy to share
• Eat clean..because it’s true, garbage in, garbage out

Here’s to 2o11 and an even more beautiful 2012! xo Amy

Oh you fancy huh?

The lack of blogging lately is due to my newest online obsession Pinterest. I have created, cooked and styled myself silly from ideas on that site. It’s truly magic….truly. Good news is I have had a few beauty products arrive in the mail since I posted last and I had to share. Also, I decided it was time to get some REAL hair extensions too give me the rapunzel look from time to time.

First and foremost, I have been hearing about NARS Orgasm blush for a few years now but never even thought to sample it myself. I get their ploy buy using sexual names for the products to suck consumers in (Deep throat, really?). It works and I bought some. Not only did I get the “Super Orgasm” blush but I also purchased the  highlighter “Miss Liberty” after the sales girl up sold me (why are sales people so easily sold? I suck.). Even Drake mentions it in his song with Swizz Beats “Fancy” (“Nail done, hair done, every thing done…..na na na”)about the pretty girls wearing this shade. It has a  pink/peach tone and the perfect amount of shimmer.  When I applied it I did feel fancy, even with my pale winter face, it’s a pretty shade on ANY skin type…even my sistas! So, $27 x 2  later, I will continue to use this product for the long haul after years of trial and error with so many blush colors!

I also decided to get my christmas shopping done early this year (weekend after Thanksgiving) and got my beautiful younger sister in law the hair extensions she has been wanting for a long time. I did my research and thanks again to Pinterest I stumbled  upon Foxy Locks. After watching the YouTube tutorials on their site and seeing the before and after photos I was sold (again, I get so sucked in! DANG IT!) I ordered my sis her blonde bombshell 20″ real human hair extensions in the “medium” pack and decided I needed some as well. My hair is relatively long right now, but after the birth of my twins, my hair has never been the same thickness or grown out the same. I added the caramel colored 20″ “medium” to the shopping cart and clicked the purchase button. This company ships from the UK so I figured it would take at least 2 weeks to get the hair. 5 days later they were here! I called my sister and she ran right over! We were Ohhhhing and Awwwing over HOW MUCH  HAIR each set came in. I can’t even imagine what the “deluxe” set is like. The hair is smooth and thick and matched perfect. You clip it in with bendable combs attached to the hair and go on their website to view the “how to” tutorials. I must not be a seasoned hair extension wearer since after 8 hours of wear I started to have a slight headache. My sister said it never bothers her, but she has been wearing them for a while…..tough head! I have only wore them 3 times for special occasions, like our family christmas pic (see below) and for the twins 5th birthday. They add about 3 inches to my length and tons more thickness. I keep getting compliments on how natural they look and how great they feel!  I can’t wait to play more with styles with my hair in and rock out to some Drake “Fancy” in my car…….Nails done, hair done, everything did! xo Amy

Underneath it all

I don’t leave the house without makeup, unless I am going to the gym, and even then, I wear a hat. My mom won’t even go that far, she makes sure her makeup is on before going anywhere. The only people who see me without it are my kids, husband and a few close girlfriends. Today is different.  I got out of the shower today and said, “I need to show people (online…you can’t pay me to go outside au natural!)how a photo can be transformed from raw to flawless”. Now to get there, it takes a good makeup artist as well. As much as I cringe at the raw photo of me with no makeup, I realize that my camera is 22 megapixels and sharp as heck. All flaws from big pores to the sun damage on my forehead shows in the first image. This is right out of the camera, no retouching.  But once I put on my makeup, it gives it a smoother more even look, again, straight out of the camera, no retouch. The third photo shows how editing and running actions can make any persons face look pretty darn amazing. I used a clone stamp (for all my fellow CS photoshoppers) to get rid of the scar above my right eyebrow, retouched the skin with a smoothing brush and ran a Totally Rad Action of smooth over my my whole face. I then toned with blue and took out some of the vibarance (I did just spray tan before I put my war paint on!) and voila! A much easier on the eyes image of yours truly! I know I don’t look horrid without the makeup on, but it goes to show how reality really isn’t reality when looking at magazines. I know people love it when I “fix” flaws on their images, and trust me I love it when I can make a picture of myself look pretty….but like Gwen Stefani said “Your really lovely underneath it all”. She’s right, it’s what’s inside that counts with a lil’ help from good products and a great photog *CLICK ON ABOVE IMAGE TO ENLARGE!

I love nails

Yeah, I am a nail addict….trying to perfect the perfect manicure is a ritual for me every other day. I noticed my nails do the best in the buff…no chemicals just buffing, but I can’t lie, I get nail envy when I see someone with a sweet color with high shine on their nails. I went to get a pedi with babe today for our 10 year anniversary and the nail tech asked if I wanted a manicure. As much as I wanted to say yes, I knew I could do the same thing for a fraction of the price at home. I picked a shade that my baby girl picked out “mommy, kerry perry (katy perry) would wear this”. It’s by O.P.I and it’s called “DS Magic”….homage to the gamers out there? I couldn’t resist. I will say, for a glitter polish, this stuff looks good. Not just for wear, but looks like I can remove it without having to use all the cotton in my possession.  We shall see…… anyway, wanted to show this beautiful blue which I will be rockin’ at the pool tomorrow with my kids…….I love bling nails to go with my pretty wedding ring. Happy anniversary babe, you rock my world! xo A

Summer all-stars

 

Those closest to me would say I love every product I try….at first…..which is true. The problem is I am not a patient person and I don’t take my time to really trial products before singing their praises. So this time I took my time to really USE these products on a daily basis for the past 2 months and I will tell you I will be a big fan of these gems for years to come. First let’s talk about summertime and how my coarse hair looks so frizzy from all the fun in the sun and sweat…….So, the Deva Curl “Low Poo” has proven to make my locks stay clean and soft from its  lack of lather when cleansing. I was about to chop my hair off before I discovered this shampoo. My split ends don’t stand a chance against this product. Second, Lorac’s “TANtalizer” body bronzing luminizer has helped me break out my short shorts to show off my part sun/self tanned legs. My mom actually told me about body makeup for legs and I thought I would give this a try. I noticed all the flaws on my 35 year old gams were glazed over by illuminating bronze and looked even and smooth. This stuff dries fast so no need to stand naked in your bathroom for long periods of time before you put your shorts on! I use it OVER my body lotion and if I see a flaw I just add more of the lotion to blend. Great for a night out on the town or even a summer bbq where you know your legs need to look nice in shorts. The third All-Star in this post is my Biosilk Beach Texture spray. I have tried so many of these sprays for the summer months. I used Bumble and Bumble, Aquage, home made salt water spray, you name it. This not only works, but it’s SOFT texture….and smells amazing like all other Biosilk products. I spray it in after showering/towel drying and scrunch my hair. I also tried it after I blew my hair out one day and again, soft texture that I could run my hands through. The next V.I.P is the Sally Hansens Lip Infusion gloss line. I have made friends with the Walgreens check out lady in the makeup department because of this gloss. Lip infusion has a kick to it  mint &  cinnamon to get the juices flowing. I think I do it because it makes me feel like I have Angelina Jolie-Pitt lips (I so don’t….sigh). This is a very affordable lip gloss and gives M.A.C Lip Glass a run for it’s money. They have great colors for summer and I own them all.  Lastly, my ALL TIME FAVORITE PRODUCT THAT I CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT AND WOULD DIE ON A DESERTED ISLAND WITHOUT IS……… Obagi’s C Lightening Serum. My skin has transformed from over a year of using it. I put it on in the morning with my Obagi C-Exfoliating Day lotion under my makeup! Minimal pores, fine lines are gone, sun damaged reversed… SCORE!  A tip I got from their website is to apply your skin serums/lotions right when you towel off your face….you have 3 minutes of “open” skin to put product on to  absorb in the all  the anti-aging and moisturizing effects. So far, so good! I never forget to wear sunscreen and a hat if I am out in the sun as well…I am sure that has alot to do with my skin looking so good! SO there you are, my all time faves, my homies, my friends……..I hope you can try some or at least one of these in your lifetime…then you will understand! Happy Summer! xoxoxo A

Clean and Green

My lovely friend Carla told me a year ago about a product line called Deva Curl. She is from South American decent and has the prettiest, thickest, curliest head of hair. I come from semi-curlish decent so I am always looking for smooth, sliky products to take away frizz and leave my hair clean and not greasy. I decided to give Deva Curl a try. My usual “starter” kit when trying any new hair product is a shampoo and styling product from the chosen product line up.  This time I wanted to try two shampoos. The names are so catchy and I am a sucker for cool/quirky names. They have “No-Poo” shampoo which is a lot like the Wen haircare line which is no sulfates or parabens and basically acts as a cream cleanser (no suds) to cleanse the hair without stripping it of color or shine. I also thought I would need a good daily shampoo (even though I don’t wash but every 3rd day, dry shampoo in between) so I got the “Low-Poo”. This shampoo is also sulfate and paraben free and suds up just a bit. I tried both and with out a doubt these two shampoos worked wonders for my hair. I was suprised at the Lo-poo’s cleansing effects. My hair felt the cleanest it has in years and it barely made suds when working it through my hair. I love this also for my baby girls super curly hair. She commented on how good it smelled. So, the verdicts in, for now anyway: I love Deva Curl! It also is recommended for chemically processed hair, curly or straight. So basically ANYONE I know can use this hair care line. You know you want to go get some! Enjoy! xo A