Spring Clean Your Beauty Routine!

I recently reached out to my girlfriends because I wanted to know what products they loved and considered hidden gems. Instead of re-writing the responses they wrote, I left their e-mails in their original form, only editing for clarity or grammar. I hope you enjoy reading these as much as I did. And give some of these products a try, I certainly plan to. Happy 1st Day of SPRING!!! Winter is over, we made it!!

BIO OIL

Link to Bio Oil

Suggested by Susan P.
This may be a hidden gem...I'm a big fan of Bio-Oil. I have some discoloration on leg from when I tore my calf muscle (too much time on the heating pad!).  This has really helped. 

My take: I tried it for my eczema this winter & loved it. It isn't heavily scented but, to me, it smells like cinnamon!

VIVITE FACIAL CLEANSER

Link to Vivite

Suggested by Ashley G.
Has alpha hydroxy acids so it burns a tiny bit the 1st couple times you use it but it is amazing!

My take: Beauty is pain so bring on the burn!

SONIA KASHUK ILLUMINATOR

Link to Sonia Kashuk Illuminator

Suggested by Kristen T.
I find Sonia Kashuk Illuminator (baby pink bottle) to be amazing mixed in with a drop of moisturizer or foundation to really brighten the skin and make your cheekbones more defined.  When applied around the temples, it really makes your eyes pop as well....especially if you're tired! 

My take: Can’t wait to try it!

WET-N-WILD MEGAGLO ILLUMINATING POWDER

Link to WetnWild Illuminator

Suggested by Mary Susan C.
Darn!!  A cheap product I love is discontinued!!  I still like the one still around. $3.99. Same concept at the Bobbi Brown compact that is so popular:

My take: Seeing WetNWild made me giggle. Didn't we all just love it in junior high? I think it is time to re-visit this long-standing brand!

MICHAEL KORS LEG SHINE

Link to Michael Kors Leg Shine

Suggested by Mary Susan C.
Unnecessary but a fun product. I love the smell!

My take: Can’t wait to try it! I am noticing an illuminating theme….

ELTA MD SUNSCREEN

Link to Elta Sunsreen

Suggested by Ashley G.
Huge fan of this, I think we talked about this before. Works great & is half the price of Obagi.

My take: I started using this product during the winter so I will be curious to see how it stands up to my usual brand (Obagi) during the summer months. Paying $20 vs. $45 sounds like a great deal to me!

IT’S A 10 MIRACLE LEAVE IN PRODUCT

Link to It's a 10 Conditioner

Suggested by Erin T.
I have a hair product that I am obsessed with. I got a sample of it in one of my Birchboxes. The small size has gone a long way for me. Just requires a few spritzs before blow-drying. And you don't get that producty-feel in your hair with this either. Things I like about this product and why I would recommend it:

1) Love the smell

2) Makes my hair feel softer/smoother when damp and after when blow-dried

3) Put in my before blow-drying and don't get as many fly-aways/wispy hairs 

My take: Can’t wait to try it, especially in the upcoming summer months!

TRISH MCEVOY AT-HOME PEEL

Link to Trish McEvoy Peel

Suggested by Erin S.
A new favorite! Not exactly cheap, but it lasts for 12 weeks and I justify it because I can never find time to actually go anywhere for a peel! 
My take: Can’t wait to try it! Seriously, DYING to try this!!

OIL PULLING 

Link to Oil Pulling

Suggested by Alexandra S.
One of my girlfriends recently started this and she LOVES it. Says it really does deliver on results. I am going to try it!
My take: Ok, this isn't actually a product suggestion but, I had never heard of it so I had to share it. Can’t wait to try it but maybe one of you could go first & tell me all about it? 

CREST 3-D WHITE TOOTHPASTE

Link to Crest 3D Toothpaste

Suggested by Me :)
My sister in law is a fabulous dentist in Baton Rouge! Griffon's Gentle Dental

She made whitening treys for me for my birthday one year and they worked so great. In the meantime, however, I still drink red wine, coffee, etc. so I have to do touch ups every so often. I happened to try this toothpaste, probably because it was on sale, and realized that I don’t have to touch up as often. Never in a million years did I think that I would care about a particular toothpaste but, trust me, this one does what it says!

My take: I love it!

Create Your Own Gift Tags

I absolutely love wrapping gifts & cannot believe that I have never shared any of my creations with you. I will work on that! My gift-wrap room is fully stocked with a wide variety of wrapping paper, bags, ribbon, cool boxes, etc. Sometimes I just hang out in there & look at all of my pretty things. It makes me happy J One thing I have been unhappy with lately is my selection of gift tags. In my opinion, the tag should complement the wrapping paper & ribbon or contrast in an interesting way. I keep a few on hand but inevitably, they never "go" with the gift I need them to. So, I went to my favorite on-line retailer, Amazon, & purchased my own plain tags that I customized to coordinate with looks that I generally use for wrapping. Give it a try the next time you have a rainy day. Or, if you live in Atlanta, during the next Snowmageddon!! This project was SO much fun!

You can choose different shapes & edges for a very reasonable price!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CLOGH0A/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Married to An Old Fart

It's true, none of us are getting any younger these days. But, you know what they say, you're only as old as you feel, and we feel pretty young & silly! 2014 started with a very big milestone in my household, my husband turned the big 4-0! We celebrated with a ski trip in Breckenridge with some of our close friends. But, before we left, I decided to give him an "old fart" themed gift complete with Polident, Gas-X & Old Spice (for the "old" part of the theme), and two really hilarious books, (for the "fart" part of the theme). Both can be found on Amazon.com. These are too funny not to share!

The Birthday Boy (um, man)

Here are a few pictures from the official celebration in Breckenridge:

If you are wondering what this is supposed to be a photo of, please look closely in the middle towards the left. It was one of the funniest wipe-outs I captured during our trip. Ah, good times :)

Atlanta Gift Guide

At this point, if you haven’t purchased something for your significant other for Christmas, you might be starting to panic. Or, perhaps you need something to make that certain someone feel extra special this year? You are in luck because I have a few great last minute gift ideas that will make you shine like a gifting star! Sorry folks, these suggestions mainly apply to Atlanta friends. However, there is likely something similar in your city.

For the Ladies:

Give the gift of PERFECT HAIR

drybar

A gift certificate to Dry Bar has been my go-to girlfriend gift for 2013. If your lady has never tried it, she may want to use this for a special occasion. However, I have girlfriends that use them quite frequently. So, consider making her feel like she has a personal hair artist with either a Membership or a Bar Tab. See website for pricing and, no, this isn’t going to be cheap. What? You’re the one that waited until the week before Christmas to shop!

http://www.thedrybar.com/bartabs/

 

Give the gift of THE CLOSET CLEANOUT

 

Most women I know find it difficult to find their own personal style. Being on trend yet wearing what works for our bodies is not always one in the same. What better place to start than a “closet cleanout” by a professional? And if all goes well, your lady may want to start building her wardrobe with perfect pieces for her. Now this is a GREAT gift!! See website for pricing. You can determine how much your lady is worth to you…ha ha! Just kidding!

http://stylesbyliles.com/menu1.html

 For the Gents:

Give the gift of a CUSTOM SHIRT

 

There is no doubt about it, preppy is “in” and it looks like it is here to stay. There is only one problem; my husband isn’t preppy, at all! That being said, he loves having a custom shirt made just for him since the fit is far superior to shirts purchased in department stores. Getting him to go to a boutique to get his measurements taken, pick out the fabric, etc. can be a hassle, (for both of us). I was recently introduced to a stylist at J. Hilburn. They come to your home with fabric swatches in hand, take measurements and place your order. Problem solved! Prices are around $100-$175, depending on the fabric chosen.

http://www.jhilburn.com/

Atlanta Stylist: Neil Gressette, neil.gressette@jhilburnpartner.com

Note: Stylists are located throughout the U.S. in most major cities

Give the gift of a MEMBERSHIP TO THE CLUB AT CHOPS

 

After breezing past the maître d' with a knowing glance, you weave past the restaurant's patrons to the open-air kitchen, eyes furtively scanning the room, wondering if anyone noticed you. One sharp glance back as you slide your magnetic keycard through the reader and enter a classy speakeasy of the new Prohibition. This is The Club at Chops, a semi-private dining room in one of Atlanta's premier steak houses.

Annual dues for membership are $700 for individuals and $1,900 for corporate memberships, which grants access to four members of the same company. But there's a new way to score a spot at The Club, among the vivid hues of leather and mosaic tile, and that's to secure a one-day pass ($25) and a reservation. Though you probably won't be seated at the Frank Sinatra or the Ray Charles tables (the best seats in the house, named for the portraits on the walls above them), you'll still have access to the humidor with 10 different cigar brands for, the live jazz five nights a week, the top-shelf liquor and the extensive wine list, plus the full restaurant menu.

Mr. Bond would be proud.

http://www.buckheadrestaurants.com/chops.html

Top Five Beauty Products of 2013

We all want to look our best year-round and there is no better time to spruce up your beauty routine than right before a new year. Every year I make it a personal goal to try new beauty products that I think sound interesting or fun. I shop everywhere from Nordstrom to Sephora to CVS.  There is always a drawer full of rejects (maybe I should compile that list for you sometime!), but what I want to share with you now are my favorites. Here are my Top 5 beauty products of 2013. Let me know if you try any of them!

 

Top 5 Beauty Products of 2013

1. Ear Plugs
2. Fabulous Eye Drops
3. Brightening Lid Liner
4. Color Mousse
5. At-Home Peel

 

EAR PLUGS 

You read correctly, my number one recommendation is ear plugs. I have been married for close to seven years and, not only have these saved my marriage (tee hee!), but they also let me have a full, restful night of sleep. There is nothing that will make you look better than a great night’s sleep. I buy them in bulk! You will thank me later.

http://www.howardleight.com/earplugs/max-lite

 

FABULOUS EYE DROPS

 

Do any of you suffer from constant dry eyes? I look at a computer a lot, read quite a bit, wear contact and have allergies. These things combined make my eyes so dry that I actually once removed part of my cornea while taking out a contact. Yes, that can happen. I wore an eye patch for two weeks while my eye healed. Did you know that your eye is one of the fasting healing parts of your body? Pretty cool huh? I was thrilled to learn that little tidbit when I thought I had ripped out my eyeball. Anyway, I now have the best optometrist in the world and he had me start using these eye drops. I put them in before bed & in the morning before my contacts go in. Visine has been a  well-liked product for a long time but, trust me, these are head & shoulders about that brand. This product feels great in your eyes!

http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/blink-tears-tears-lubricating-eye-drops/ID=prod3945807-product

 

BRIGHTENING LID LINER

 

So, after a good night’s rest and perfectly moisturized eyes, I still want to make my eyes pop. Many, many years ago, I started using a white liner inside my lower lash line for special events. (MAC “Fascinating”) It truly works wonders in opening up your eyes. The problem is that the white can be very stark in daylight. So, if I need for my eyes to pop during the day, I use a neutral lip pencil in, (MAC “Naked”). MAC is the best stay-put brand I have found. Give it a shot!

 

http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/151/323/Products/Eyes/Liner/Eye-Kohl/index.tmpl?SKU_ID=SKU1464

 

http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/167/340/Products/Lips/Lip-Pencil/Lip-Pencil/index.tmpl

 

 COLOR MOUSSE

A few months ago I posted about temporarily dying my hair red.

 

http://pixiedustatlanta.blogspot.com/2013/08/when-woman-changes-her-hair.html

I could not believe how well it covered my color. I went back in to Sally Beauty Supply to get a mousse to match my everyday hair color to use in between highlight appointments. You know, for that last week before your appointment when you think the world will end if you don’t touch up your roots? It’s perfect for those days! I also have sparse grey hairs in my temple which this product totally covers. Seriously!

 

 http://www.sallybeauty.com/Styling-Mousse/ROUX2,default,pd.html

 

 

 

AT-HOME PEEL

I make no secret of the fact that I make a big investment in my skin each year. It is important to me to have healthy, glowing skin that makes me feel more confident. My general feeling is that there are very few shortcuts when it comes to facials and face products in terms of pricing. If you have ever bought a Microderm off of Groupon, you know what I mean.  That being said, one of the aestheticians that I go to suggested that I try these towelettes in between appointments. Since they are $8, I agreed. I love getting “mini” peels since “big” peels have to be perfectly timed due to all the peeling and redness. (Mini peels typically do not make me  peel). My expectation was that the towelette was similar to a mini peel…I was wrong. This tiny, $8 solution-soaked towelette made my face peel like a major peel. Depending on the market you live in, this usually costs well over $200. I was a little caught off guard by the peeling since I normally plan around that sort of thing, but was majorly impressed by this product!! This isn’t for everyone, I will admit. But, if you are like me and have a BFF relationship with your aesthetician, ask him/her about these!

NOTE: This product is intended to be used in conjunction with the Vi Peel. It is my personal opinion that this is not entirely necessary. Please ask your dermatologist or aesthetician where to purchase in your area…and send me before & after pics!!

 

Honorable Mention:

NECTIFIRM

Now that I am in my late 30’s, I have really started to pay more attention to the delicate skin on my neck. I had been hearing great things about Nectifirm so I decided to give it a shot. Honestly, I feel like I may be doing more preventative work than recovery but I do like the product. It is not too light or too heavy. I do find it hard to remember to use it which means that one jar has lasted about a year. The verdict it still out on whether or not I will continue but overall, I give this one a thumbs up.

http://www.revisionskincare.com/products/nectifirm

 

In case you missed it, here is a review of my 2012 recommendations (I still use all of these products, except for the LeMer):

http://pixiedustatlanta.blogspot.com/2012/12/js-favorite-things-beauty-products.html

 

 

 

 

A Great Holiday Neighbor Gift

I love dropping a little treat in my neighbor's mailboxes around the holidays. Who doesn't love a sweet surprise? This one is my favorite because it is so easy, very inexpensive and delicious!

 

Start with: Raisins, Craisins, Unsalted Peanuts, M&M's, Butterscotch Chip and anything else you have in your cabinet. I had dried cherries on hand so I threw those in as well.

 

Dump all ingredients into a bowl & mix well.

Spoon them into mason jars for fresh keeping
(these last much longer than cellophane bags)
 

 

You can tie a ribbon around the top or wrap them in a dinner napkin. I picked up these holiday dinner napkins at my local thrift store for $.50/each.

What a steal!

(http://www.jlatlanta.org/?nd=nearly_new_shop)

 

 

I never know how much I will need to fill my jars so I keep a spare jumbo mason jar on hand for any leftovers. This also makes it super simple to assemble a last minute gift or make an addition to a basket.

 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

 

A Festive Santa Basket

I love buying baskets at Goodwill! Did you know that they are $1.00-$5.00? They are so cheap compared to other retailers that I usually go in & stock up for a rainy day. I got this little treasure for $2.50 & decided to make it festive for Christmas...Santa style!

You probably know how much I loved spray-painting this a glossy, bright red!

(no primer was needed)

 

 

I hot-glued fur around the top and folded it into the basket

 

 

I then added a simple, black satin ribbon

 

The final touch was to glue a masculine buckle in place

 

I filled it with some delicious treats and sprinkled in a few snowflakes

 

HO HO HO!!