Sooooooo, I’ve been using mineral make-up for several weeks now – and I’m totally sold on it.  I love how it sits on my face and doesn’t feel heavy.  I love that it is so easy to apply.  I love not feeling like I need to wear concealer in addition.  My only complaint, though, was that I felt like the amazing coverage that mineral make-up was initially giving me upon application was seriously fading over the course of the day.

All I want to know is:

1 – Who, exactly, do my minerals think they are?

2 - And, WHERE do they think they are going??

I went back to Ulta @ Buckhead Station and explained my situation to one of their make-up specialists:  I’m constantly on the go and sometimes don’t have time or the opportunity to reapply make-up after work and before one of my bajillion obligations or social commitments.  But, I still want to look like I have make-up on!  She recommended that I start using this bad boy under my make-up every day:

my secret weapon

She told me that SMASHBOX’s Photo Finish Primer is silky + lightweight and will increase the longevity of my make-up.  In fact, it’s frequently used in photo shoots – make-up artists and photographers love it, apparently.  She said Photo Finish will also reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores and it’s oil-free.

I told her that products with a name like “SMASHBOX” were most likely going to be wayyyyy too sexy for my really sensitive skin.  She told me that she, too, has very sensitive skin and she’d never broken out from it.  I was skeptical. Most of my make-up comes in organic-looking packaging and is plastered with “dermatologist approved” or “hypoallergenic.”

(So what, I have allergies…)

Alas, I tried it and I am pretty sure this product was made by angels – totally heaven sent!! It’s holding onto my minerals and giving me great all day coverage even into the evening, without irritation.  Now, I put it on each morning after my moisturizer.  It seeps into my skin almost immediately - and then I start working with the minerals…

Ooh ooh ooh – as far as eyeliner is concerned, I really need for it to stay on all day, too.  No time to reapply! I swear by Revlon’s Colorstay Eyeliner.  Swear by it! It’s pretty cheap and will stay on all day long.  Fact.

Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner

Finally, I used L’Oreal’s Telescopic Mascara for the first time today and I really like it.  It has a teeny tiny application wand that I think is supposed to help you avoid getting clumps.

L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara

I’ve been known to jump around from mascara to mascara with no loyalty whatsoever.  For the last few months, I’ve been using Maybelline’s XXL Volume + Length Microfiber Mascara and have been very pleased with it, but it definitely gets clumpy quickly.  I absolutely looooathe that!

Maybelline's XXL Mascara

I’m seriously considering a semi-permanent (at least) switch to L’Oreal Telescopic after using it this morning.  It just looks so natural and came out very evenly on my lashes.  I am impressed with the length of my lashes, too.  I’m definitely not married to it, but I think I’ll at least switch to it for a few months.  Will let you know how it goes…

That’s all! 

xx, L

Bare Minerals Starter Kit

I have to admit that I am a teeny-tiny bit skeptical, but I am hopeful that Bare will be everything that it touts in all of its advertisements.

Bare Minerals

I used it for the first time today - following all of the steps detailed in the Starter Kit DVD.  Immediately, I could feel a difference between using mineral make-up and the junk I’d previously slathered on my face for years.  My favorite item so far is the mineral veil; it leaves such a pretty glow.  We shall see how this goes…  It just may be the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

xx, L

Here’s a visual:

Jeggings

Y’all, I just don’t know about this one.  Leggings are like a uniform for me.  Love them.  Jeans – sure.  Not my favorite, but I’ll rock a pair.  Jeggings?  I’m on the fence…and this is rare because usually I am the first one to jump at a new trend.  Snuggies?  Yes!  The Cap-Sac?  Don’t mind if I do… 

Sienna Miller in Jeggings

Maybe you have to be stick-skinny like Sienna Miller to pull them off?  Maybe not.  Either way, I am hitting up Urban Outfitters this weekend to see what these bad boys look like in dressing room halogens…

xx, L

HAI elite Digistick Ceramic Iron

Hai!

Here’s the product description from www.folica.com (fyi – they ship for free on orders over $50):

“The HAI elite Digistik is an ergonomic 1″ digitally controlled masterpiece with flash heating. A versatile tool specifically designed for straightening, curling, shaping, and creating a wide variety of styles on all lengths and textures of hair.  The HAI elite Digistik is a styling tool beyond compare.  Manufactured with ceramic plates, low EMF’s (Electric Magnetic Field), and Optimum Resonant Materials, the Digistik features Far Infrared Heating and is charged with MEGA Ions.  The lightweight design is superbly balanced, and the non-slip ergonomically designed handles are easy to grip, and make styling as simple as turning your wrist.  Perfect for straightening, curling, and every style in between.  The HAI elite Digistik is preset at 170 degrees, and adjusts up to 380 degrees for thick or coarse hair.”

Okay, me again…  It took a lot of soul searching to decide to move to the HAI from the CHI I’d previously been wed to for the past five years, but I am really happy with my decision. 

Here’s five reason why:

1- It heats up in about 10 seconds.  Fact.
2- Your hair doesn’t feel fried after straightening.
3- You can obviously use it to straighten your hair, but the sides of the plates are slightly curved to allow you to add curl, if desired.
4- You can control the HAI – to the exact degree – you want it heated up to. (Yuck.  I don’t like ending sentences w/ prepositions…)
5- The plates are orange.  Not exactly burnt orange (my favorite), but I’ll take what I can get…

Also, I stopped into my salon on Friday for a quick bang trim and my stylist said that straight-straight hair is back in style.  Just a little FYI.

xx, L

photo credit: well.ca

Thanks to my bestie’s Canadian sister-in-law who is (1) amazing (2) has been using Jamieson probiotics for years and (3) got me hooked when she sent me a totally-not-sketchy international package containing two packs of probiotics, I am pleased to report that I’ve had a happy tummy for four months straight!  Here’s the Q+DD on probiotics and why you should get them from Canada instead of your local Whole Foods:

Probiotics aid with digestion and regularity.  They reduce bloating and other gastrointestinal symptoms.  Probiotics have more health benefits than yogurt with only a fraction of the calories (a mere six calories per stick).  Each stick provides a minimum of one billion active cells (better to not think about this for too long) to support healthy intestinal balance and promote immunity. 

Probiotics can come in many forms, but the Jamieson brand from Canada - that I love so much - does not require refrigeration or water.  They are all natural and the Jamieson stick brand comes in a tasty red plum flavor.  Seriously, it takes like candy.  PLUS, the box has French on it – so you feel super fancy when it arrives in the mail.  (It’s the little things, right?!  Right!) 

I order mine from www.well.ca.  If you go in with a few other people, you can order in bulk and reduce shipping cost. 

I wish you all happy tummys! 

xx, L