Whitestrips

This is still beauty related right? Awhile ago, I just wanted whiter teeth. Now going to the dentist regularly and taking really really good care of my teeth (floss everyday, electronic toothbrush, replace brush around recommended time). Anyways, going back to when I wanted white teeth before I had heard good things about Crest white strips (btw: don't remember if this was the exact box I purchased but you get the idea)

Back when I did it, I believe I got the first version they had created. This product requires one to place a strip on their top teeth and bottom teeth for I believe 20-30min twice a day for 14 days. I did this without missing a single day and dedicated myself completely to following this routine. And you know what, 14 days later, they were noticebly whiter. They really really were!

My routine was to brush my teeth in the morning then afterwards I would put the strips on and made sure they were nicely wrapped around each crevice of my teeth and get ready to go to work or whereever I was headed. By the time I'm headed out the door I'm done with the strips. At night it was much easier since I have the entire night to do it. I did have this paranoia about tasting and swallowing the saliva mixed with the whitening chemical thing with toothpaste like flavor. So to avoid that, I stuck my tongue out between my top and lower teeth. Paints a lovely picture right? Ah, the price of beauty!

Clear skin?

Sheercover--ever heard of it? Neither have I. I recently got my car into the dealership to get the ol' regular maintenance. (Don't worry I'll tell you where I am heading with this) They said it was gonna be an hour and a half wait, but I didn't mind. Why? This place is loaded with FREE, yes FREE, breakfast breads, Starbucks coffee, cocoa, sodas, juice, water...on top of that, they have nice leather recliner chairs, tons of magazines to look at, free internet access and a large screen TV. So while I was taking advantage of as much of the free amenities as I can, a infomercial came on TV talking about this product called Sheercover. They claim their makeup is made of environmental friendly mineral powder, that works as a foundation. Not only that but it is light and apparently hides flaws on skin quite nicely. Now, I'm usually a bit iffy when they start to sell entire package products for not only 59.99 but no 49.99 but wait! If you call now, we will sell for 29.99!!! The infomercial did show many before and after pictures and people actually applying on the makeup. I did a Google search on this product and found some awful stories of folks who have never broken out--breaking out, and then the other side of the coin where folks claim just as the informercial did. I guess this post isn't about a recommendation more so than have you ever had experience with this product and does it work?

Tinted Moisturizer

I was never blessed with beautiful skin. Thankfully, the older I got, the nicer it actually became. Or maybe it was that I started taking care of myself a little better, drinking more water, less alcohol, sleeping the recommended hours, eating fruits... you get the picture. Whatever it was, I didn't need that much coverage. Still needed something though, just to give a nice even finish and to continue that "taking care of myself" thing, putting sunscreen on my face daily.

A complimentary make-up session at an Aveda salon got tinted moisturizer on my face for the first time. It still gave some coverage, but (at least the way she put it on me) it felt heavy. And isn't the point of not using foundation to have your face feel like you have no make up on? Like a typical engineer - research brought me to Laura Mercier. They just came out with the oil-free version when I looked and picked up a tube in the sand color. It's a bit - about $35-40 - but lasts about three to four months. I put it on with my fingers and it goes on like lotion, but adds some color and most importantly, SPF20.

QuickStyle - Quick Slip

Paul Mitchell Express Style: Quick Slip... If that sounds a little tawdry, you should get your mind out of the gutter. Or maybe I should.
Just ran out of this last month and wanted to try something new to tame my wavy locks. Well, I did try something new and it just isn't the same. The big sell of Quick Slip is that it cuts your drying time. Not quite sure how much, but it did the trick. Only downside is the light playdoh smell. You put it on after towel drying your hair but before you use the hair dryer. Okay, if you don't use a hair dryer to blow out your hair, I can't really say how much effect this will have if you air dry - with my waves, I use the round brush and hair dryer when I want it straight. So if you need something to tame your frizzies & cut dry time, definitely try this.

Colorful Pots of Liner

Back in college, used to use a liquid liner by Urban Decay (about $14). I'm not particularly graceful, but I managed to make a nice line along my lashes with this. Getting older, not really into the glitter liner that was replacing most of the other colors for urban decay led me to use MAC powder shadow, water or spit (just kidding), and an angled brush. Unfortunately, this would not always stay put so looked again for something new. Tried Smashbox's Cream Eye Liner (with a flat or angled brush) and it was easy to put on, smudge if you didn't have the perfect line, then for the most part, it stayed put most of the day. Except it didn't always. This tended to migrate to my lower lids making me look a little like a raccoon at the end of the day. Been using MAC's fluidline (about $14) now for a couple of years and this is it... This really does stay put. Same type of application as the Smashbox product, but this just doesn't migrate. Sounds like it wouldn't be, but it's easy to wash off too.