I Like Yellow In My Flowers, But NOT In My Lotions!!!

Well, as it turns out, the best news about all of the hard labor is that I lost 6 1/2 pounds! Woo hoo!!! Despite the fact that my beauty regimen was seriously disturbed, I am quite happy with the results. Plus, my recent dryness and need for sunscreen has really allowed me to try some products I wouldn't normally use.

And, while things haven't been that exciting in the good-smelling department, I did have a wonderful face day today with a new moisturizer - Dr. Brandt Lineless Cream. Of course it's another product in a tiny pot that costs $100, but hey - it was completely fab!!! It delivered a completely lightweight moisturizer (oddly colored - I would call it amber), but it soaked right into the skin after providing what felt like an awesome moisture barrier. The product says the results are "luminous and youthful" and I would have to agree. I would most compare this product, thus far, to Philosophy's Divine Illumination which is $85 for nearly the same size. Both are definitely terrific moisturizers. My suggestion? Head to Sephora and ask for a sample of each and see which works better for you!

While showering, I felt the need for an exfoliator to soften my skin. I'd been wanting to try Nuxe Paris Tonific Exfoliation because it is called a "soft-skin booster body scrub" with bamboo, amazonian plants and plant powders. What can I cay... it sounded fun! Well, it definitely made my skin softer, but it TOTALLY looks like wet sand. You know the sand that has some rocks in it right by the water? It didn't smell much better either. But, my skin does glow and feel smoother today. I just prefer that my exfoliants and body washes make me feel all girly-smelling and that did NOT happen with this product.

Lastly, I used Kiehl's Creme de Corps - The Original Rich Nourishing Cream. Felt smooth, but a little too slick and not nourishing enough. The bigger deal? The product was icky smelling and yellow. Two of my least favorite things in a lotion. Yuck. Even if it is sold at Nordstrom, some things should just stay in the bottle.

Oh and if you need a great gift for a girlfriend and, like the rest of us, you're on a budget, here is an awesome idea from Sephora with products I highly recommend: It's Stila's Made In Your Shade Foundation Wardrobe. It's $40 worth of product for only $18. You get the Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer and the Illuminated Tinted Moisturizer, which is one of my required must-haves. You also get the Illuminated Liquid Foundation, Convertible Color in Peony (an awesome rosy pink), the Hydrating Primer and Natural Finish Oil-Free Makeup. You can purchase the package in Light, Medium or Warm.