A review of the latest and greatest girly samples including skin care, makeup, hair, beauty products, stores, clothing, home & decorating ideas, etc.! A must for any daily diva!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
I Should Be Working But ...
I should be working, but ... Well ... I always should be working but a girl has to take a damn break sometimes. I committed to a friend that I would have three boxes of work done this weekend... one per day. Well ... I have one more big fat case in box #2, so I think I deserve a break, don't you? :) Just agree with me. Things go over so much better when you do.
Now, is it just me, or are you extra dry right now for this time of year? As you know, one of my Daily Sample Must Haves for just such a normally-winter condition is Chanel Hydramax, but it's so darn pricey. So ... I thought I would try some others to see if I really had the best. I sampled Amore Pacific Moisture Bound Refreshing Hydra Gel. What I learned from this product is to be very careful about the gels you select. Much like Ole Henriksen's eye gel, this product is way too sticky. It doesn't soak in enough and ends up feeling yucky instead of revitalizing. Amazingly enough, it's $100 god damn dollars! Yet even further proof that just because it is pricey, doesn't make it good.
I'm also getting to the point of swearing off "serums". There's a serum for everything and without instant gratification, I'm not sure I'm getting my money's worth. My biggest problem with serums is that you just don't know whether they work and I don't think you'll ever know until you're 10 years down the road and you say "Wow, I look so much better than you do and the only difference is that I used a serum!" Like that's gonna happen. But, true to my sampling ways, I prefer to just think of it as not having found the right serum yet. The one you put on and go "Now that's what I'm talkin' bout!" So, the must misses are Anastasia Line Erasing Serum. It supposedly has "Instalift with Goji." Whatever. It wasn't any different than Dr. Brandt's Collagen Booster or Clarin's Multi-ActiveSkin Renewal Serum or Peter Thomas Roth's FirmX Growth Serum. But I'll admit it ... I'm afraid!!! What if I don't use the serum and it really does have secret powerful ingredients?!?!? I'd never forgive myself. So... here I sit, wearing a serum I don't even understand. And you can't say that it's because I didn't use one product long enough. Dr. Brandt's says "denser skin in one month" - okay, so maybe I'm still too young for that one since density is not a problem. Beautiful women of 60 + years ... unite! And go get it and tell me if it works. But, I used PTR's FirmX at $150 an OUNCE for a whole month and ... NOTHING! It says"Helps to improve the appearance of facial contour definition, skin resilience, texture, and firmness while smoothing fine lines to create a youthful look. The potent blend triggers ten different skin responses by tapping into the skin's natural regenerative mechanisms, constantly "reminding" the complexion to act and look younger. These engrained mechanisms help dying skin cells turn over at a rapidly accelerated rate while helping to promote the longevity of healthy skin cells, preventing their deterioration. The result is that aging skin cells are eliminated faster and healthy skin cells remain for overall younger-looking skin."No it isn't! There are NO results... that I am aware of anyway. My complexion wasn't "reminded" to look younger, despite the fact that I reminded it every day. My wallet was reminded it was thinner though.
At least something is losing weight in this house. I'm even trying the Perricone MD Cold Plasma serum that the whole beauty world seems to be in love with these days. I have to say that of all the serums I have tried, this one feels the smoothest and doesn't feel like you have too much product on. Supposedly this serum is for ages 20 to 65. Now how can that possibly be? It seems we should all have much different needs. 99% of women allegedly saw a difference in their skin in 4 weeks. Trust me, I don't have enough of this $150 an ounce product to last 4 weeks and I'm not about to buy it. I think the women noticed better skin because they were committed to a ritual of cleansing, moisturizing, etc. Again ... I could be wrong and I do love me some Perricone MD.
As for an enjoyable product I've been sampling, I like Clarins Extra-Firming Day Cream. Surprisingly, it is not too thick and I really appreciate the fragrance smell. It reminds me of the Estee Lauder counter, which might be a bad thing for you, but personally makes me think of my mom who is GORGEOUS, by the way. So, if I smell like her, all the better! I mean, whose mom didn't use Youth Dew at one point? The cream is for all skin types and I do think it is a nice general moisturizing cream. Most of you won't like it because it doesn't have an SPF. I'm partial to tinted moisturizers these days, but sometimes you just need the basics.
One last gripe about serums and then I'm done. I also used Juice Beauty Blemish Clearing Serum. I have this really annoying zit smack in the middle of my chest. It's like it's always there. Can't get rid of it. So, I liked the idea of trying a serum for it. All the serum did is cause other zits near it. How annoying is that??? I haven't really cared for anything from Juice Beauty just yet. This might be the end of their products for me. Okay ... and because now I really should be working ... only one beauty comment. There are those of you out there who just cannot get into spa-ing. I don't understand you, but you are out there. :) If you happen to be someone out there who hasn't enjoyed the utterly fantastic experience of going to a day spa all by yourself (or with your girlfriends if alone time is just too ... alone), then I recommend you start setting money aside in your spa fund and JUST DO IT! There is nothing better than the quiet calm of the waiting room, with hot tea and fresh apples and nuts, the soft sounds of nature mixed with amazingly calming instruments on the spa music coming from the speakers; the easy glow and warmth of the fire place and the scent of lavender, eucalyptus, lemongrass, magnolia, and other lushes herbs, the steam room, the utter lack of vanity in your diva spa robe, the sheer guilty pleasure of doing something absolutely for yourself! You must try a massage. Or a vichy shower. Or an herbal wrap. Try all three! Get a scalp massage. Take some "me" time and just go get pampered. If you haven't done it before, it's time to start. If you had a bad experience at one spa - go to another. I'm telling you ... taking care of yourself helps the inner beauty shine through.
SEPHORA - Your current favorite Sephora Promo Codes are available at retailmenot.com.
RESTORATION HARDWARE- It would be so much simpler to just live in the store. I am in love with all things Flax, Graphite and Belgian Linen.
BANANA REPUBLIC- I do wish they made a size larger, but I feel so sophisticated in this store.
MAXI DRESS - There are very, very few that look good on women of size, but they are sooooo comfortable and don't have to look too relaxed. I love Olivia Moon's slanted stripe in black and gray from Nordstrom.
Now, is it just me, or are you extra dry right now for this time of year? As you know, one of my Daily Sample Must Haves for just such a normally-winter condition is Chanel Hydramax, but it's so darn pricey. So ... I thought I would try some others to see if I really had the best. I sampled Amore Pacific Moisture Bound Refreshing Hydra Gel. What I learned from this product is to be very careful about the gels you select. Much like Ole Henriksen's eye gel, this product is way too sticky. It doesn't soak in enough and ends up feeling yucky instead of revitalizing. Amazingly enough, it's $100 god damn dollars! Yet even further proof that just because it is pricey, doesn't make it good. 
I'm also getting to the point of swearing off "serums". There's a serum for everything and without instant gratification, I'm not sure I'm getting my money's worth. My biggest problem with serums is that you just don't know whether they work and I don't think you'll ever know until you're 10 years down the road and you say "Wow, I look so much better than you do and the only difference is that I used a serum!" Like that's gonna happen. But, true to my sampling ways, I prefer to just think of it as not having found the right serum yet. The one you put on and go "Now that's what I'm talkin' 
bout!" So, the must misses are Anastasia Line Erasing Serum. It supposedly has "Instalift with Goji." Whatever. It wasn't any different than Dr. Brandt's Collagen Booster or Clarin's Multi-ActiveSkin Renewal Serum or Peter Thomas Roth's FirmX Growth Serum. But I'll admit it ... I'm afraid!!! What if I don't use the serum and it really does have secret powerful ingredients?!?!? I'd never forgive myself. So... here I sit, wearing a serum I don't even understand. 
And you can't say that it's because I didn't use one product long enough. Dr. Brandt's says "denser skin in one month" - okay, so maybe I'm still too young for that one since density is not a problem. Beautiful women of 60 + years ... unite! And go get it and tell me if it works. But, I used PTR's FirmX at $150 an OUNCE for a whole month and ... NOTHING! It says "Helps to improve the appearance of facial contour definition, skin resilience, texture, and firmness while smoothing fine lines to create a youthful look. The potent blend triggers ten different skin responses by tapping into the skin's natural regenerative mechanisms, constantly "reminding" the complexion to act and look younger. These engrained 
mechanisms help dying skin cells turn over at a rapidly accelerated rate while helping to promote the longevity of healthy skin cells, preventing their deterioration. The result is that aging skin cells are eliminated faster and healthy skin cells remain for overall younger-looking skin." No it isn't! There are NO results... that I am aware of anyway. My complexion wasn't "reminded" to look younger, despite the fact that I reminded it every day. My wallet was reminded it was thinner though.
At least something is losing weight in this house. I'm even trying the Perricone MD Cold Plasma serum that the whole beauty world seems to be in love with these days. I have to say that of all the serums I have tried, this one feels the smoothest and doesn't feel like you have too much product on. Supposedly this serum is for ages 20 to 65. Now how can that possibly be? It seems we should all have much different needs. 99% of women allegedly saw a difference in their skin in 4 weeks. Trust me, I don't have enough of this $150 an ounce product to last 4 weeks and I'm not about to buy it. I think the women noticed better skin because they were committed to a ritual of cleansing, moisturizing, etc. Again ... I could be wrong and I do love me some Perricone MD.
As for an enjoyable product I've been sampling, I like Clarins Extra-Firming Day Cream. Surprisingly, it is not too thick and I really appreciate the fragrance smell. It reminds me of the Estee Lauder counter, which might be a bad thing for you, but personally makes me think of my mom who is GORGEOUS, by the way. So, if I smell like her, all the better! I mean, whose mom didn't use Youth Dew at one point? The cream is for all skin types and I do think it is a nice general moisturizing cream. Most of you won't like it because it doesn't have an SPF. I'm partial to tinted moisturizers these days, but sometimes you just need the basics. 
One last gripe about serums and then I'm done. I also used Juice Beauty Blemish Clearing Serum. I have this really annoying zit smack in the middle of my chest. It's like it's always there. Can't get rid of it. So, I liked the idea of trying a serum for it. All the serum did is cause other zits near it. How annoying is that??? I haven't really cared for anything from Juice Beauty just yet. This might be the end of their products for me.
Okay ... and because now I really should be working ... only one beauty comment. There are those of you out there who just cannot get into spa-ing. I don't understand you, but you are out there. :) If you happen to be someone out there who hasn't enjoyed the utterly fantastic experience of going to a day spa all by yourself (or with your girlfriends if alone time is just too ... alone), then I recommend you start setting money aside in your spa fund and JUST DO IT! There is nothing better than the quiet calm of the waiting room, with hot tea and fresh apples and nuts, the soft sounds of nature mixed with amazingly calming instruments on the spa music coming from the speakers; the easy glow and warmth of the fire place and the scent of lavender, eucalyptus, lemongrass, magnolia, and other lushes herbs, the steam room, the utter lack of vanity in your diva spa robe, the sheer guilty pleasure of doing something absolutely for yourself! You must try a massage. Or a vichy shower. Or an herbal wrap. Try all three! Get a scalp massage. Take some "me" time and just go get pampered. If you haven't done it before, it's time to start. If you had a bad experience at one spa - go to another. I'm telling you ... taking care of yourself helps the inner beauty shine through. 
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