Beautiful skin with the Clarsonic Mia 2!

The cheap old lady in me convinced me to buy the Olay Professional face cleansing brush. I used it for a few months, and had no complaints about it. It didn't really make a difference that I could notice on my face by looking at it, but it did FEEL more clean. After getting a facial at a spa, I was told by the lady that the Olay brush is bad for your skin because the head rotates 360 degrees, which actually DRAGS your skin around. As gross as this sounds, I wasn't quite convinced (the spa sells the Clarisonic products, so I assumed it was a marketing ploy).

After a couple of weeks, the spa had a 25% off sale on all products so I marched right over and bought the Clarisonic Mia 2. I have been using it once a day since then, and it has definitely made a difference both in how my skin looks and how it feels. The cleansing cycle is only 60 seconds and the head doesn't rotate, it vibrates or sends super sonic magical waves into your skin! It is amazing! Aside from it's pretty pink self, it is a smaller size than the original Clarisonic (great for travel, and yes, I will take this with me), has a fantastic magnetic charger, and a cap for the cleansing brush after you're done using it. I will occasionally use it on my neck too as I'm terrified about getting old lady chicken skin there. This thing is magic, and there really is a difference between this, and the cheaper Olay version. Your skin is worth the investment!

• Cleanses 6x better than with your hands alone in just 60 seconds
• Works with skin, not against it, to gently massage away impurities trapped within pores
• Prepares skin for better absorption of creams, serums and moisturizers
• Gentle enough to use 2x a day

L'Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Mascara

It has been far too long since I've updated, and that only means one thing; that no products have blown my mind lately! It is depressing when nothing lives up to its own hype - luckily, L'Oreal has saved the day.
When Gwen Stefani speaks, I listen. Seeing her on the L'Oreal commercials immediately caught my attention, but then you just have to wonder, does she really stand behind this product (or is she just taking it to the bank?)?
I'm happy to say that not only has L'Oreal chosen the most rocking spokeswoman for their products, but they have also created a truly great product!

 I am PICKY about my mascara. It must be truly black. It must stay on all day without smudging or flaking, but I will not wear waterproof. It must lengthen and add volume, but not clump. This mascara delivers on every one of my eyelash requirements! The brush is narrow and has a few areas of longer bristles. I don't get why it's like this, all I know is that I love how it works!
I curl my lashes and add a couple of coats, and voila! My eyes look more open, and the lashes actually appear a bit longer. I wasn't blessed with long or thick eyelashes, by any means, but I really love that this mascara actually does what it says, and at only $8.99, it kicks Dior's mascara's ass. Can you even believe I said that? I'm sure I'll be somehow punished forever by the fashion gods, but I've always said that I'm a truthful girl.
Try this stuff out and see if you feel the same way - I'm sure you won't be disappointed!

Mason Pearson Hairbrush

In the effort of growing out my hair, I am forever buying new sprays, creams, conditioners, stupid expensive shampoo and conditioners... whatever I can do to keep my hair in good shape.
The thing I dislike most when people grow out their hair, is when it starts to look trashy. Long hair = more effort. End of story.

So in the pursuit of nice looking long hair, I embarked on the search for a good hairbrush. Nothing that I could buy at Target, but something that would be an investment. Something that would be forever my go-to hairbrush. The Mason Pearson name is synonymous with quality and after countless Internet searches, it was decided that Mason Pearson would be my new best friend.

We trekked on over to Barney's as this was the only place in town that carried the brushes. I wanted to actually hold the brush and have the instant gratification of buying it, rather than ordering online.

I chose the Handy Mix Bristle (BN3) brush by Mason Pearson. The brush just feels good on your scalp. It is specially weighted so it feels good when you hold it. I've had conversations with this brush. This brush takes care of me. It may sound ridiculous, but if so, then that's probably because you've never had a brush this wonderful. At $108, this brush wasn't cheap, but I can say it was worth EVERY penny. It distributes the oil from my scalp down the shaft of my hair, which helps to keep my hair from drying out. My hair is shinier and smoother, and it is in control.
On days when I'm wearing my hair down, I carry the brush in my bag for mid-day touch ups. Every time I unzip my bag, a little smile comes onto my face when I see my friend. My Mason Pearson brush. It even comes with its own little brush to clean it. Ridiculous!

Here is the description of the brush:

The Handy Bristle & Nylon brush is best suited for normal to thick hair of short to medium-long length.  It has 6 rings of tufts of carefully selected pure boar bristle, each of which contains a longer "spired" nylon strand. The durable nylon strands, with specially rounded ends, are longer than the boar bristles and penetrate through the hair to massage and stimulate the scalp, bringing out the natural oils. The tufts are set in a pneumatic rubber cushion that regulates the penetration of each tuft to gently, but effectively, condition the hair and scalp.  Overall size is 8 1/2 by 2 1/2 inches.  To keep your brush in tip-top shape a cleaning brush is included, as well as complete use and care instructions

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs

Being from the Midwest, I'm naturally pasty in color, and have an aversion to all things sun-related. This doesn't exactly mesh with our city of residence, Phoenix, Arizona.
I've tried my fair share of self-tanners, and after several streaky outcomes, orange palms, and weird splotchy fading, I decided that I'd forever be stuck wearing jeans, even during the hottest summer months. I didn't want to offend or scare people with my white legs!
There is no way that I'd ever succumb to wearing pantyhose, just so that I'd be able to wear my shorts, or a dress. NO WAY.
So what's a girl to do?

Duh! Cover those legs with makeup! Creepy? Less so than you think!

I purchased a can of Sally Hansen Airbrush legs and went to work! After shaking the can, and spraying into my hand, I rubbed the brown liquid between both hands, and rubbed onto my legs.  It covers nicely, without streaking, and allows enough time before drying so that you can make sure it's even.
After about 30 seconds, it is completely dry AND waterproof! This was the best part! No worries about it rubbing off on clothes, or dripping off if you sweat - and this is serious! The next day in the shower while shaving my legs, I can see it coming off, so it seriously lasted that long!

The ad mentions that it covers freckles and veins, but I don't see that happening without using a lot of the spray, and possibly looking like you have plastic Barbie legs. And while some of the ladies in town might be into that, I am not.

I first tried the medium color, hoping to make myself look more tan, but it was definitely too orange. I switched to the "light glow" color and it is perfect.

At around $12, I think this is definitely worth the price, seeing as how now, my summer will be spent in cute shorts and dresses instead of sweating it out in jeans.

Try it out and let me know what you think!

Fusion Beauty IllumiCover Line Smoothing Luminous Concealer

Concealing is a big deal for me. Whether I stayed out too late playing a show and have dark circles, or happen to get an annoying pimple, I want to be able to hide it all.
This concealer was recommended to me by a good friend, so I happily picked up a (sort of pricey) tube.
At $36, this stuff isn't cheap, but please don't let the price stop you! The shiny silver tube has a click-bottom, which you use to bring the product up into the brush. I dab it on underneath my eyes, or on and around the pimple, then gently rub in with my fingertips. 

The great thing about this concealer is that it doesn't just cover up, but it reflects light, and sort of just makes everything disappear. You know when you have a dream, and someones face is just blurry? Like, you can see it, and you know it's a face, but you can't make out the details? Well, that's what this does to your under eye circles and your pimples. It just sort of blends everything in, and makes you look wide-awake. It doesn't specifically say that it's for covering pimples, but it works, so I have no issue using it just for that.


Here's the description from the website:


Optical diffusers add radiance for a wide-awake, luminous finish. Hydro-gel technology fills, rebuild skin's extra cellular matrix to smooth and plump wrinkles around the eyes. Five advanced Peptides improve structural support to improve skin firmness and elasticity. Buildable coverage.


Get your own!

Goody Spin Pin!

There is a fine line between the "undone bun" and the "I didn't wake up in enough time to do anything with my hair" mess. The Spin Pin looked interesting enough to take a chance, so I went and picked up a pack yesterday.

Now, the commercial shows the girl with fabulous hair using only one Spin Pin, so I was surprised to see two pins in the pack. Well, maybe they include two in case you lose one? Nope, the directions specify to use two Spin Pins. This was slightly disappointing to me, as the commercial clearly only shows the girl with fabulous hair using one.
Lets see what these things can do.

Each pin is a little spiral, that looks like two giant bobby pins wound around each other. They also come in a lighter color for blonds, or darker for brunette.
The directions state that no pony tail holder is needed, so I gave it a try. They caution not to get the pins intertwined with each other while in your hair, so then that's all I could think about while putting them in! Will they have to cut my hair out if I get them intertwined?! What actually happens if...?

Oh get on with it! It's just hair!

I twisted my hair into a bun at the nape of my neck, and started twisting one pin in from the bottom right, and up across to the top left. The pin guides itself in, and as I let go, I expect my hair to fall out of the bun, but it doesn't! Interesting!
I twist the other one in opposite of the first, and my bun is solid!

We went out to dinner, my bun got knocked when John put his arm on my shoulders, went home, even lounged on the couch, and my bun was still secure. I've even tried working out with it, and it stayed in place. The other plus with the Spin Pin is that when you remove it, you have bouncy, wavy hair, unlike the dented hair you get when you remove a traditional bun held in place with ponytail holders and bobby pins.

I definitely give this product the thumbs up! Here's to fabulous and EASY summer hair!

Tokyo Milk Dark

I am a true fan of the morbid, curiosity shops (my favorite still being a tiny shop in London that my friend Lucie took us to), black, dark, guns, dead people... basically if anything is weird or disgusting, I want to be a part of it.

Picture from blog.homewerx.ca

During a weekend scour of vintage shops on 7th Avenue, I stumbled across this new Dark line from Tokyo Milk.

Sirens and Saints is the only store carrying this currently, and I couldn't stop myself from making a purchase. I previously posted about the Dead Sexy bubble bath and travel candle that I bought from the Tokyo Milk line, but this new Dark line takes it to a whole new level!
With scent names like "La Vie La Mort", "Bulletproof", "Tainted Love" and "Arsenic", it seems that these are right up every creepy girl's alley! And let me tell you, I am one creepy girl that loves to smell good!
The matte black bottles of perfume are emblazoned with white images such as skeleton keys, guns and delicate bugs.
I chose a Shea butter hand cream in scent number 62, Tainted Love. It comes in a draw string black canvas bag with the same logos screen printed on it. The fragrance notes for Tainted Love are dark vanilla bean, orchid, white tea and sandalwood. The lotion is creamy and smooth, but not too greasy. It melts into my hands pretty quickly, and my hands are left behind with a delicious, flowery but dangerous scent.
I can imagine that this would be the perfume and hand cream of Morticia Addams (the original, NOT Angelica Houston!)

Beautiful, right?
After payday, I'll be heading back to get some perfume, and start my collection. I also noticed that the line also has lip elixirs, so it looks like I'll be heading to the Tokyo Milk website soon to get mine! With flavors like salted caramel, clove cigarette and sexy noir, I am just going to reaffirm my lip gloss obsession.

See you on the dark side, lovelies.