Beauty Full

After much pleading from my friends, mother, co-workers, etc., I've decided to take another bite of the blogging apple and start posting again...because I'm still mostly obsessed with the whole "products" thing!

Lots has changed...new house, new baby...same husband. 2 out of 3 aint bad though!

The one big thing I've learned over my hiatus from posting is that there is no product whatsoever that prevents stretch marks during pregancy...because OMG, did I get a boat load of them during my whole "knocked up" phase. But, the end result of the whole pregnancy thing is pretty awesome!

Seriously, does anyone know of a magic stretch mark cure? I've tried every scrub, cream, oil, potion, etc (or at least it seems that way), and NOTHING worked.


But I'm back...with lots to blog about.

Stay tuned.

Image of Boy taken from zisjen@aol.com. Production of Boy courtesy of Jennifer & Husband

Hello, Goodbuy

As much as I love makeup, I've never really "splurged" on brushes. I've recommended the Kevyn Aucoin brushes to numerous people because I've read the amazing press. I do admit to getting "suckered" into a Shu Uemura Kolinsky brush that was like $58, but I had to have that one. It seriously makes the most amazing smokey eyeliner eye and I just loved the brush. But overall, brushes just aren't my "thing". I appreciate the skill required in making the brush, and I even appreciate how the right brush enhances the finished product (i.e., the $58 splurge at Shu Uemura last November), but...I don't appreciate the steep price associated with the brushes.

So, mommy and I were in Target a few weeks ago, and we were only there to buy a few cards. But, seeing as it's Target, it's virtually impossible to ever get out of there only buying what you came in for. So, we stumbled through the aisles and found ourselves in the Sonia Kashuk makeup section. Strategically placed at eye-level were the most beautiful makeup brushes I'd seen in a long time. Sonia Kashuk's products have always had a very solid reputation in the press, so I'll admit that I was intrigued with this new "professional" line. The way that the bristles of the large eyeshadow brush were set was really top-notch. So, I ran the brush under the scanner to check the price, and I was stunned that it cost $12.99. I was definitely anticipating a much higher price. And, I'll be honest, now that I have the brush home, it performs far better than a $12.99 brush. What was even more intriguing was the hairbrush that looks identical to a Mason Pearson brush - but instead of $140, it's $14.99.

Hello, Goodbuy indeed!

Check out the brushes at Target as soon as possible - I fear it's one of those items that will quickly morph from Goodbuy to Goodbye.

(image taken courtesy of www.target.com)

MIBA (Missing in Beauty Action)

It's been nearly 5 months since I've had the opportunity to post on my blog, which is my self-professed "Most Favorite Hobby". I've been caught up in a myriad of activities, basically known as "life". Husband and I are in the process of buying a house, so it's been a nightmare of running up and down between our current apartment and the 75 places we thought we might be able to call home. I also have to do this other thing 5 days a week - called my actual job of doing environmental insurance coverage work (fancy title, right!)

But, I'm excited to start posting again and profess my love of my latest discoveries, re-discoveries, and things that I basically can't get enough of! Just because I haven't been posting - it doesn't mean that I haven't been shopping!

Stay tuned...

Eye believe?

I've recently become absolutely obsessed with my eyelashes. Even though they're super dark and they definitely have some nice length, I want them to look super luscious and glamorous all the time. So, I've been hearing a lot about Jan Marini Age Intervention Eyelash. Allegedly (and all product claims are alleged until I try it for myself), this is a product that remedies short, weak and/or missing eyelashes. Apparently, when you apply the eye liner-esque product along your lashline, the "technology" inside the product transforms your lashes, making them noticeably longer, lusher, fuller, and even darker. And then you read the testimonials, written by eyelash-obsessed women who are claiming they need to slow down usage of the product because their lashes get too long. The product has been sold out for months, a surefire sign that someone loves it (it couldn't possibly be that most women are suckers, could it?) The one catch - it's $160 (although I do have a 20% off coupon for the online boutique that sells it). Then there's the second catch - if I buy an eyeliner that costs $160, my husband is going to murder me. But I'd be a corpse with absolutely fantastic lashes.

I'll keep you posted (no pun intended) on if I can confirm the miracle for myself. See if you can score some from Skinstore online because this coveted product is now back in stock!

PS - That's where I have the 20% off coupon from!

(image taken from www.skinstore.com)

Post-Game Detox

I don't know about you, but I definitely ate way too much last night watching the Super Bowl. We made my father-in-law's amazing chili and then gorged on cupcakes from Sugar Sweet Sunshine, my favorite bakery in NYC. Seriously, when I awoke this morning to get ready for work, I was still nursing the post-binge hangover. Coupled with the 10 degree weather outside in NYC right now, it did not make for a pleasant morning. Lucky for me, I still have a good quantity left of my trusty Fresh Rice Sake Bath. I bought it as a splurge with a Sephora birthday gift certificate a year or so ago when I was having a "fat" day. It was one of those products that had always caught my eye, but I never loved myself enough to buy a bottle of $80 bath oil. The bottle claims that sake was used by Geisha as an all-purpose tool to exfoliate the face, smooth rough hands, detoxify the body and regenerate the skin. Well, I have enough facial exfoliants, and my hands are already smooth, but after the calorie-nightmare last night, I could definitely go for a nice detoxifying bath. Given the icy temperatures, I was able to feel thinner and warmer all at the same time!

They recommend using the Sake Bath in water as hot as you can handle. The Bath has a really pleasant peach-y scent that you can definitely feel stimulating your systems long after you dry off. Even though you soak in hot water, the sweat that you work up in the tub feels different than a regular sweat. I strongly doubt it's the miracle cure that will cure the post-game bloat, but if I'm going to feel chubby, I might as well feel soft and smell nice!

You can find it online at Sephora and obtain more information at Fresh.

(image taken from http://www.fresh.com/)

I love my SKN

I have this pretty blue bottle sitting on the legdge in my shower. Its contents hold one of my California souvenirs - 8 oz. of Skin Detox courtesty of SKN Beverly Hills Pure Oxygen Crystal Cleanser. For some reason, the line is not carried in New York, so I hoard the 4 oz. remaining in the bottle for my special weekend showers. It's one of those cleansers that didn't cost too much to feel like a splurge, but one of those cleansers that you only use on the "special days" because it cost enough that you're annoyed that you're going to finish it one day and have to replace it (and pay a shipping carge on top of the price!) The cleanser is this beautiful crystal clear gel (and you believe your skin will mirror the crystal clarity after a few uses) with these teeny tiny oxygen bubbles that burst on your skin every time you use it. It leaves my face feeling really refreshed, the smell is totally energizing (it's like this clean citrusy scent), and there must be magic in those oxygen bubbles, because it cleans deeply yet soothes at the same time.

My dilemma is - my skin looks great, but I have a few different cleansers that I alternate between, depending on which one is closest to me on the ledge in the shower. But, I think this might be the miracle product because I feel like I look extra-special nice the days that I use this one!

www.loveyourskn.com

(image taken from www.loveyourskn.com )

Pedi-Cure

I decided to splurge last night on a super special glycolic pedicure at Ajune Spa on the Upper East Side. I always complain about how dry my feet can get, I haven't had a pedicure in forever, and even my husband said "Jen, go get one." So I did. And it was the most incredible pedicure that I have EVER had. First, they cut my toenails, filed them down, got rid of the cuticles, etc. Then, came the most amazing thing I've ever seen...the pedicurist put on a product called BeNatural Callus Eliminator, then she wrapped my feet in plastic baggies, covered them with aluminum foil (I'd never seen that before) and let them sit for 5 minutes. While my feet were covered, she applied a Natura Bisse 50% glycolic complex to my legs. And then the magic happened. She uncovered my feet, began scrubbing them with the foot file and PILES OF DEAD SKIN ROLLED OFF MY FEET! I'm not kidding - I've NEVER seen anything so fascinating (or disgusting when you think about it) in my life. And the pedicurist just laughed at my reaction because she sees it all the time. She polished my toes in Essie Thigh High (a gorgeous bright red) and off I went.

This pedicure wasn't cheap, but I think I can swing it 4x a year. I even came home and showed my new feet to my husband and he immediately said "is this a product you think we should buy and keep in the apartment for you?" He's so well trained!

I might take him up on the offer...

Ball Beauty
Ajune Spa - ask for Diane

My feet and legs have never felt better.

(image taken from www.ballbeauty.com )