The Battle Against Dry Skin Continues!

You know that Gnarls Barkley song, Crazy (“I think we’re crazaaaay”)? God I hate that song. However, I can’t help but sing it to myself whenever I look for moisturizers in the wintertime, because when the temperature drops I feel like “My skin’s going crazaaaay!”

Don’t fret; there’s hope for the scaly-skinned. Here are two choice products which I’ve found recently that fight the good fight against dryness: Clinique Moisture On-line for my face and Dove Ultra Rich Creamy Oil Body Wash for my body.

I’ve been on a Clinique skin care kick lately, which is kind of odd because I’ve never been a 3-step kinda girl. But certain products within the line really deliver, like Moisture On-line face moisturizer.

I have combo, pimple-prone skin. I use benzoyl peroxide for my acne, and although it really works for me it dries my face out, especially around the mouth area. I *always* have to layer a moisturizer on top of the BP.

For the last week I’ve been putting on a layer of Moisture On-line after applying benzoyl peroxide and it has really helped relieve the dryness. I was afraid at first that it would break me out because most heavy moisturizing creams do, but I haven’t had any pimples so far. In fact, my skin has been clearing up nicely since the introduction of this along with the Clinique’s Mild Clarifying Lotion into my skincare routine.

It has a clean, slightly medicinal smell that I like. I wish it wasn’t in a jar, but whatevs, it works and that’s all I really care about.

In a weird twist of irony, I had some trouble finding this at the Clinique counter and at Sephora. Looks like I’ll have to be ordering Moisture On-line, well, on-line.

You might like this if you have combo, pimple-prone skin. If you’re younger and oilier this might be too heavy for you so you might check out H20+ Face Oasis, which is a slightly lighter gel moisturizer that is still very hydrating.

A 1.7 oz fl jar of Moisture On-line is $36.00.

My legs get really dry in the winter, so I need to switch to a more hydrating body wash. Dove’s Cream Oil Body Wash was a random drugstore product I picked up last week and woo hoo, I love it!

This thick body wash lathers well and gets me squeaky clean. Even though it says it’s a cream oil wash, it rinses off thoroughly and easily. It has a slightly spicy scent (reminds me of cloves) that can be overwhelming if your nose is sensitive, but it fades quickly.

A combo of Dove Cream Oil Body Wash and Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour moisturizer has totally made a difference. I can especially see it on my legs, which now look and feel soft all day long. No more alligator-eque, scaly skin. Yay!

There’s just one tiny beef I have with this product. I am not crazy about the packaging. It looks a little cheesy and reminds me of a space ship. Because of this, I’m glad it stays in my shower and not someplace highly visible like my dresser, where I’d find reason to hate it every chance I entered the room.

Despite this minor issue, Dove Cream Oil Body Wash is a winner in my book. There are three types available which offer various levels of moisturization: Delicate, Creamy and Ultra Rich. If you’re super dry like me then pick up the Ultra Rich.

A huge 19.4 fl oz bottle of Dove Cream Oil Body Wash is about $8.00.

Do you ever get on a kick where you can’t stop listening to a song? I’ve been listening to Natasha Bedingfield’s “Love Like This” non stop. It makes me happy every time I hear it. I guess it’s pretty new so there’s no video yet, but if you want to give it a listen here it is:

What song do you have stuck in your head today?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

One beauty blogger. Countless hours of music video watching. Two random acts of beauty.

Fall 1981

I’m in first grade. I get home from school one day, turn on the telly and see Blondie’s video, “Heart of Glass,” for the first time. Debbie Harry is blonde and bad-ass. I decide she’s the bomb and make the pledge to be her when I grow up.

During dinner I ask my mom if I can cut my long, straight black hair. “I want it short,” I say. “Blonde, too! And I’d like to do it before school tomorrow.”

My mom rolls her eyes, plops some vegetables on my plate and snorts, “Next year.” This answer is standard operating procedure in our household so I just shrug it off. I figure, okay, I can wait until second grade. It’s not that far away. (It wasn’t until I was much older when I finally figured out the words “next year” were code for “Oh hell naaaaaw, girl.”)

Later that evening, I sneak my mom’s gray shawl out of her bedroom. I put on some Grape Lip Smackers Gloss and dance around my room while singing, “La la la lah, heart of glass!” Even though I don’t have the blonde hair, boobs, or a band for that matter, my inner bad-ass Debbie manages to manifest itself. Yes!

Summer 1984

Madonna’s “Lucky Star” video is playing on MTV practically 24 hours a day. I am convinced that the black outfit that she has on is just the thing to wear to school picture day in the fall.

While we’re shopping for school clothes at Mervyn’s (there was no Limited Too back in the day), I freak out when I discover that the children’s section has no black, fingerless lace gloves. Wait … no black mesh tops either? What the hell?

My mom hands me a glittery unicorn decal T-shirt. I kick furiously at the carpet and foam at the mouth. To hell with the unicorns! It’s the black Lucky Star outfit or death!

“Don’t you start fussing about clothes,” my mom threatens through clenched teeth. “There are starving, naked children running around in the Philippines! Do you think they whine about black lace gloves? All they want is a scoop of rice and some underwear!”

Blah, blah, blah. I tune her out and pout all the way home.

I decide there is only one way to rebel against that dumbass unicorn T shirt. I put on some of my mom’s black eyeliner and try very carefully to make it look just like Madonna’s in the video. I somehow figure out how to work the VCR, tape the Lucky Star video, and then play it over and over again. Play, rewind, dance. Play, rewind, dance. I learn the entire video by heart. Hours pass. The sun goes down.

For some weird reason my parents say nothing while this strangeness unfolds in the living room. Maybe they figured at least I was exercising and not hanging out with the neighborhood ruffians. Or perhaps they thought I was possessed by the spirits and that there wasn’t anything they could do. They’ve never clarified why they let me dance around for five hours wearing crazy black eyeliner; I suspect they never will.

That day was the first day I ever wore black eyeliner and it’s been downhill ever since. I owe part of my makeup obsession to Madge and that fateful black outfit. She’s still number one in my book. And to this day, whenever the Lucky Star video starts playing, I can’t help but bust out the dance moves. Yes!

In the Beginning, there was Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen

I went to Long’s yesterday to buy some Wet Ones Wipes to clean my brushes, a packet of LifeSavers Gummies (my sixth major food group) and some Cover Girl Lash Blast.

So I’m wandering around the makeup section when lo and behold, I run into the celebrity perfume aisle. I never paid attention to it until a few weeks ago, when I had the earth-shattering revelation that not all celeb perfumes suck.

I saw perfumes by the usual suspects (J.Lo, Hillary Duff, Britney), as well as the not-so usual suspects (Antonio Banderas – LOLOLOLZ).

Suddenly I realized that there was an inordinate amount of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen perfumes and body sprays. It’s clear from the ad pictures that these were made years ago, prior to the twins’ movement into high fashion.

These girls are like the OG original gangsters of celeb perfumes. They’ve got about 10 different kinds and their perfumes take up half of the aisle. Holy shizz!

The Olsen Twins, aka the Terminators of the Drugstore Celeb Perfume World

For reasons unknown I really wanted to buy the $15.99 gift set, but I wasn’t exactly ready to go there.

Later on that day, I chatted with my girl Julie from Almost Pretty. She confessed to having smelled a few MK and Ashley scents and described them as being akin to being enveloped in a smelly cloud of “sparkly crack.” THANK JEEBUS I held back from buying that set.

More Holiday Wish List 2007 – Starlight Perfume by Shania Twain

I’m happy to report that not all of the drugstore celeb perfumes are steeped in scent tragedy. One budget-minded perfume that I’ve actually been liking is Shania Twain’s Starlight.

The scent is very crisp, and reminds me of a mix of snow and champagne. On my skin the perfume reveals very few floral notes and smells more like a feminine, sophisticated version of men’s cologne.

Shania looks really great in this ad campaign, too. Girlfriend is fierce in that prom dress.

If you’re on a strict budget this year (and girl…trust me, I’ve been there) then this is a great gift option for your brother or sister’s girlfriend.

The 1.7 fl oz bottle of Shania Starlight is $34.00 for an eau de toilette spray; the smaller, 0.5 fl oz. spray is $18.00.

Today I’m going to do some more MAC Holiday 2007 product testing. I’ll have some more lovely swatches and pics of the Royal Assets Eye Shadow sets and Lip Sets soon!

Aren’t you glad it’s Wednesday? We’re halfway there, ya’ll! HOLD ON!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Stocking Stuffers Galore – More Makeup and Beauty Blog’s Holiday Wishlist 2007

My favorite part of holiday gift giving is getting fun stocking stuffers. Forget practical stuff like socks, underwear and dental floss. BLAH! I want fun makeup. Here are a few choice Holiday 2007 stuffers that the girls (and boys) in your life will dig.

More MAC Finery! Plum Lips – Oh La Lovely

Yesterday I posted some pictures of Coral Lips, my favorite group out of MAC’s Limited Edition Finery sets. Here are a few pics of the Plum Lips set, which comes a close second.

By far the stand out lippie here is Culture Class, a rich plum frost. I especially love it with a layer of Contessa Lipglass.

If you’re waffling between the two sets then I’d suggest looking at what colors you have missing in your lipstick collection. The Coral Lips set is definitely my favorite, but because I have so many coral colors I’d probably skip the set and go for the Plum.

In addition to being super cute, the lil’ tweed clutch is actually really handy! I put a compact and lipstick in one yesterday and popped it in my purse. Yes, I do see the irony of putting a little purse in a big purse but I was able to find my lipstick THAT much quicker.

Each set is $32.00. Buy a set for yourself and another one for your sister-in-law or best gal pal.

Lola Holiday 2007 Spellbound Palette – For the Glamour Girl

Lola’s Spellbound Color Clutch ($38.00) is one of the most beautiful palettes this Holiday season. It’s very vintage and 40s looking, with a pretty velvet design and rhinestone accent. You get: a mirror, three lip glosses, two crème blushes and 18 shadow shades in coordinating pans.

This palette gives a makeup newbie all she needs for plenty of fun hours of experimentation. Plus, it’s so handy and portable and hello, really super cute. The stand-outs are the crème blushes and lipglosses. They wear well and feel great on my cheeks and lips.

Your favorite niece or closest cousin will love it!

Bye, Bye, Dry! Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream RULES

My skin in the wintertime becomes a mess of alligator-esque, ashy dryness. I just discovered Elizabeth’s Arden’s Eight Hour Cream and THANK JEEBUS! Now I can’t live without it.

I’m not the only one who loves it. The Intensive Moisturizing Body Treatment is so great that it recently won an Allure Beauty award. Unlike lame-o Maybelline Great Lash Mascara (puke!) which wins every year for no good reason, Eight Hour Cream really deserves the title.

It’s thick and rich (I barely have to use any) but it sinks into the skin easily and doesn’t leave an oily film. It has a slightly herbal, unisex smell that you’ll either love it or hate. I don’t mind it so much because the product leaves me completely moisturized, and my skin feels soft all day. No scaly, itchy, or uncomfortable legs, hooray! It’s really all that and a bag of Cheetoes, people!

The Hand Cream is now a staple in my purse. Like the Body Treatment, it’s rich and moisturizing and doesn’t leave your hands feeling slick or oily.

Put this in everybody’s stocking. Your favorite metrosexual will forever be in your debt.

One huge 6.8 oz tube of Eight Hour Cream Intensive Moisturizing Body Treatment is $25.00. The Eight Hour Cream Intensive Moisturizing Hand Treatment is $17.00.

Need a Beauty Book Editor? Services fo’ Hire

Oh gawd! So yesterday I had all these plans to work on the blog but I got distracted by a little thing called sleep. I came home, sat on the couch, and next thing I knew it was eight or nine.

Anyway, I’m so glad that today is sunny. I am going to run a few errands, and then I get to read the manuscript of a beauty book that I’m working on for work. Yay! I’m so excited.

Hope your day has been fun so far! Doing anything exciting?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup and Beauty Blog’s Holiday 2007 Holiday Wishlist 2007 Continues

WOOT! is the one word that describes MAC’s Finery Limited Edition Lipstick and Gloss colleciton. You better hurry up and grab these beautiful sets, girlfriend. They are $32.00 each for a lil’ clutch bag, two lipsticks and one lipgloss. Here are a few pics to wet your whistle; check back later today for more detailed reviews and info. I gotta go and earn my keep! See you soon!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Finery Coral Lips – My Favorite of the Bunch!

More Holiday Wish List 2007 – Elizabeth Arden Mediterranean Perfume

It’s been months since I’ve gone surfing and I miss being in the ocean. Just looking at the blue packaging and bottle for Elizabeth Arden’s Mediterranean perfume makes me feel like I’m in Hawaii, sitting on my board and waiting for the next wave to come and carry me away.

Aside from the beautiful bottle and packaging, the best part about this perfume is that the scent isn’t too heavy or cloying. Mediterranean is described on the Elizabeth Arden Web site as a “radiant woody floral.” Imagine a hybrid between the best parts of Fresh’s Lemon Sugar perfume and Covet.

When I spray it on I get an initial burst that’s lemony and white floral. It then dries down to a light, black tea scent. On me Mediterranean smells gender neutral and not overly feminine or sweet.

If you have a girlfriend, sister or mom who likes perfumes that aren’t too sweet then she’ll love this. It would also be a great gift for a friend who loves beachy scents but doesn’t like strong “tropical” notes like pikake or tuberose.

The 1.7 fl oz bottle you see in the pic above is $47.50, but for the holidays Elizabeth Arden’s got a special set that includes the 1.7 fl oz Eau de Parfum Spray, Body Lotion and a wee Eau de Parfum replica for $52.00. Don’t you love the extra goodies in gifts sets? I sure do.

A Holiday 2007 Face of the Day with Clinique’s “Happy & Bright” Makeup

Here’s a face of the day I did with Clinique’s Holiday 2007 “Happy & Bright” makeup. What do you think?

I used the pink shade farthest on the left all over the lid, then the peach shade to highlight the browbone and inner eye. I put the lighter brown shade in the crease and used the darker brown on the far right to line the top and bottom. Then I finished it off with two coats of BECCA The Ultimate Mascara in Black.

On the cheeks I used the lightest touch of MAC’s Dollymix blush with Clinique Fresh Bloom Allover Colour in Peony layered on top.

I finished the look off with Raspberry Glace Different Lipstick and Camisole Full Potential Lipglass on the lips.

I really love these colors. They are buildable and pretty much mistake proof. My next Clinique Holiday 2007 mission: use the Pink Truffle quad to create a gentle smoky eye!

Weekend Reading Just For You

Your weekend isn’t over yet! Here’s the latest beauty buzz from The Beauty Blog Network.

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic – Christine Explains how Antioxidants Work
A Touch of Blusher – All About Japanese Cosmetics
All Lacquered Up - All Lacquered Up Reviews OPI’s Holiday in Hollywood Dazzling Darks & Neutrals
Beauty and Fashion Tech – Beauty and Fashion Tech Looks at the New MAC Holiday Collection and Provides Swatches
Beauty and Personality Grooming – Homemade rich nail cream
Etailers Mall – The Blog – PlumSmoke
Face Candy – Bridal Beauty
Makeup Moxie’s Beauty Blog - Makeup Moxie Reviews Cover Girl Lashblast Mascara
Musings of a Muse - The Muse’s First Look at the Sephora 2007 Catalog
Mystical Beauty’s Musings – How do you feel about your makeup talking to you?
Savvy Skin - Skimpy Thinning Eyebrows
SugarShock – Fragrance Notes: Factory Girl
Temptalia - MAC Curiositease Review, Swatches, and Photos!
Makeup Loves Me - Refreshing Facial at Fresh

And oooh girl, I know you didn’t miss Makeup and Beauty Blog’s MAC Holiday 2007 Curiositease Lip Sets: What to buy, What to pass up!

A Few More Random Thangs Currently Up in My Grill

Because the world is constantly moving toward randomness…here are few tidbits that have crossed my radar in the last few days.

In definance to all the laws of the universe, somehow Christian Bale came SECOND PLACE to Wentworth Miller in Entertainment Weekly’s Ultimate Hottie Poll, BOO!

That’s okay, I’ll comfort you, Chris

I saw this kid dancing on “The Soup” and I laughed for about 10 minutes straight. I kept rewinding and laughing, rewinding and laughing. He’s my hero.

Not that I need any more TV in my life, but Torchwood on BBC is FANTASTIC. Tivo it, yo!


What’s My Motivation?

Today I was in an infinitely better mood then yesterday because last night I slept twelve hours. No joke. Every moment of sleep was like manna from the heavens. Ahhhh!

In between working it out at the gym and watching the Colts and Patriots game (that Tom Brady is HAWT!) I thought of all the stuff I have to get done this week that I just don’t want to do.

“Hmmm,” I thought, “What’s the ultimate form of motivation? What’s gonna make me want to go the extra mile to get all this craptacular crapola done?”

The answer? C to the H to the A to the N to the E to the L.

The reward for finishing my first project…

And the second…

And the third…

The moral of this story? A little Chanel bribery goes a long, long way.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen