TerraTints

So I went to my local co-op today and I decided I would try out Alba TerraTints. I'm really weary of anything that describes itself as a tinted lip gloss because it usually doesn't have enough color to show up. My lips are kind of dark already, so this happens a lot. But I was pleasantly surprised with the shade they call "Blaze". This stuff feels good on, makes your lips tingle, its really smooth, has SPF 8, %70 organic, and it looks great! It smells like glycerin soap. Lovely. And it was only $3.99.

Aquaphor

My dermatologist has recommended Eucerin's Aquaphor in the past for smoothing out scars and cuts on skin. I had used it before, but lately I've been reading about it as a winter skin saver. I started using it this week for that purpose - specifically dry skin on my hands and feet. The product is slightly greasy when first applied, so I stick to putting it on before bed and by morning it's been absorbed. Aquaphor is not something I would try to use as a hand cream at the office but for improving dry skin at night it's a winner! Also, the name is appealing for some reason...it makes me feel like it's really promoting healing.

I'm Lovin' It

Korres Sweet Almond Liquid Hand Soap

My picks

Lips: This week I found Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Swivel Stick in an old purse. I can't remember why I stopped using this. For now, this is what I'm loving again. Most lip balms tend to dry out my lips after I get used to them.

Hands: Neutrogena Hand Cream works the best for me. It goes on pretty thick and doesn't absorb right away. However, it will stay on after multiple hand washings and my hands are always back to being soft after wearing this to bed.

Hair: Infusium 23's Frizzologie line is hard to find, but really does the job for protecting hair as it gets colder...and all year round but especially in winter when hair can get really dry.

QuEsTiOnS....I wonder about eye creams. Does anyone in their 20's use them and are they helpful? I'm also thinking of trying RoC's Multi-Correxion Night Treatment because I've read favorable reviews.

Fall II

With a recent post about Fall I started thinking about my favorite cold-weather products which I would have a difficult time living without.

Lips: Carmex. Some people love Chapstick...but I love Carmex. All I have to do is put it on at night and I'm usually set for tomorrow. It's simply the best.

Hands: My hands get crazy dry in the winter...I mean cracking and bleeding! I have found no lotion to work better than Curel Intense Therapy lotion. It just stays on there, even when you wash your hands...awesome! I get dry patches of who knows what- eczema probably- on my face and this also helps a lot...it says "gentle enough to use on the face" right on the bottle!

Feet: Okay, this doesn't really go along with the others...but my feet get really cold in the winter, I must have poor circulation. The only sock that does the trick is the Wigwam Merino sock. I mean, this is the only sock. I must admit-its not the most attractive sock out there. But its like other socks have a time limit where they start to give in to the coldness...but this sock keeps fighting to keep my feet warm. One day I actually got called out for wearing the same pair of socks everyday. I had to inform this person, no, I actually own multiple pairs of the same sock...deal wit it!

What are your cold-weather must-haves??

Fall

Another season. I like how they're just long enough for everyone to be excited about a new one. It does mean a change in routines. I can feel my hands already starting to reach their winter dry phase. Gotta stay healthy!

Here's what some of the offerings are for this season:

Philosophy "I Love Candy Corn" 3 in 1 shower gel: Candy corn does have a shelf life for me, but this product would make a nice addition to the shower. Sometimes Philosophy can veer too sweet with these products, so I'm thinking this is no different. I wonder if the gel stays separated in the correct color formation over time? Or is that just the bottle??

Sidenote: Thoughts about Trends...It's hard to really understand all the emphasis placed on "trends". In large part I feel like it's the creation of the fashion magazines in order to promote certain brands and certain magazine issues season after season. (That being said - I love the Allure Best of Beauty List issue every year. I love to see what products I already own/have thought about owning.) After reading Fall is about "earth tones" and rich "purples" year after year or Spring is about "pink" and "corals", I just think it becomes cyclical and not really worth putting stock in. I think most are pretty standard, no one wants overdone makeup unless you're going to the Oscars. The basics seem to be dark eyes, light lips or vice versa. Or are these just my thoughts??

With that said, apparently bold lips are in again for fall. Reds, dark reds, purples, etc. It's interesting because I've thought red lipsticks have been making a comeback for awhile. Especially with certain age groups. Aka mine. I'll admit to buying a few reds to try on, but I can never find the right color. MAC's Ruby Woo shade gets a lot of buzz, but I haven't purchased it yet. Also, their Dazzleglass Creme looks cool...like an extra wattage lip gloss with MAC colour.

Metallics and shimmers are big again. I'm a Nars fan and I love their Indian Summer Duo Eyeshadow color. Also, the Brumes duo looks good if you want something a little darker and not metallic.

Nars has also made me want to break out of my OPI rut. Check out their new Tokaido Express Nail Polish. Apparently it's named after Japan's most popular high-speed rail route. It's a great color and a part of the purple trend.

Burt's Bees

It's about time for another post, and it's about time for me to give a shout-out to local heroes, Burt's Bees. Growing up in Raleigh, I was always familar with Burt's Bees because they are based in Durham. My mom knew someone who worked at the factory and we always ended up getting little travel sizes of everything. We got some make-up too. Now you can find Burt's Bees at Target and Wal*Mart, amazing! They were bought by Clorox, and I think some unfortunate crap went down before and after that.

Everyone loves the beeswax lip balm. Its so smooth, smells great, and has the menthol that tricks you into thinking its "working its magic". But I'm in love with the Lip Shimmers. They feel great on your lips and improve your lip's condition at the same time. Unfortunately, most of the shades look horrible on me (and sad to say, probably on other people too). But there are two that I love: Rhubarb and Merlot. Burt's Bees, if you're listening, why not get rid of that ugly white "Champagne" and try something new like a deep coral-red? And really, they're less expensive than buying a tube of lipstick.

But this is news: they just came out with a system of products for acne. If you're interested. I'm skeptical, (as always with acne products), but I signed up to get the free samples mailed to me anyway. We all want to think something natural will work better than the chemicals that irritate your face. They get the salicylic acid from willow tree bark rather than synthetically. Perhaps I will let you know how it worked out in a later post.

P.S. that's Burt.