product review: sunsilk thermashine shampoo

i liked this shampoo because it was very inexpensive. sadly, its a small bottle and lasted me a short time. i did notice a shine to my hair, but only after several times use. i liked the smell, although i cant decide what it is. i like that it has silk powder and amino acids in it, which is very good for your hair. i think i would repurchase again, if i needed a cheap alternative. a very good drugstore shampoo. A-

product review: elta md skincare uv facial moisturizer with spf 30

my mom gave me a sample of this because she had problems with it and wanted me to try. what she said was that it dried her skin out rather than moisturized it. it is prescription and she got it ar a dermatologists office. i have to say i really liked the fact that it had spf 30 in it, which is more than any other lotion or makeup ive had. i didnt like the smell...which is hard to describe. i also thought it felt strange on my skin, not soft but kind of sticky. i would say that its a great sunscreen alternative but not a great moisturizer. C+

product review on clinique acne solutions liquid makeup

i got sent a sample of this through the mail and i have to say i really enjoyed it. it reminds me of a tinted moisturizer, its not heavy like foundation but at the same time it doesnt give you a full coverage if thats what your looking for. still, i like that it has salicylic acid in it, which helps with acne. that impressed me because usually foundation or concealer tends to clog your pores and create acne breakouts, while this does the opposite. unfortunately, it also has TALC in it, which i've read can actually cause breakouts. im also sad to say i didnt see a big improvement in my acne. you definetly need a primer and you need to set it with a powder because its slippery and it moves quickly. i do like the matte finish. overall, i liked it alot, although i think it was a bit hyped up. B+

rant: suave products

Up until I really became obsessed with beauty and makeup, i stuck to suave because it was cheap and easy to get. unfortunately I now know that this was a mistake. first of all, never use the same product more than a few times in a row. the effect of the product will be lost and there's just no point. secondly, suave products have a drying quality about them, terrible for already dry hair or breakable hair or split ends. many people say that it makes your hair more easy to tangle, some say it makes their scalp itch, some say it leaves residue (ew), does not do a thorough job of cleaning, leaves your hair duller and heavier. the only good thing about their products are thats its cheap...but you get cheap quality so is it really worth it? No.

product review: Nu Skin NaPCA moisturizer

this cream has vitamin E, and allows the skin to soak up moisture rather than allow it to remain on the surface, like most lotions. it gives your skin a soft, dewy feel to it, for any kind of skin care (but if you have very oily skin, it may be a little too heavy). this moisturizer has no scent or color, which is a good bonus. this way odors wont mix (ex. body mist vs. moisturizer). It is pretty expensive for a moisturizer (30$) but it's formula is very much worth it.

product review: bath and body works foot scrub

From Bath & Body Works, brand: True Blue Spa, the "toe the line" smoothing foot scrub with walnut shell powder.

I absolutely love this product. hands down, best foot scrub ever. it smells really good, and has a nice feel to it. it kind of gives off a tingly sensation with on the skin which is pleasant. it contains little coarse particles to exfoliate the skin and soften the tough skin on the bottom of your feet. The only downfall to this product that it is pretty expensive for a foot scrub (15$) and it runs out very quickly. I used it for about two months, and about two times a week. Overall, not bad!

why you shouldnt shop at H and M or Walmart

Shame, H&M, shame.
Last week we learned that both the trend-forward
retailer and Wal-Mart engage in the odd and wasteful practice of destroying
unsold merchandise, and throwing it in the trash. Both companies scrambled to
come up with apologetic statements, a rep for H&M vowing that it was an
anomalous error that wouldn’t reoccur: “It will not happen again. We are
committed 100 percent to make sure this practice is not happening anywhere else,
as it is not our standard practice.”
Yet when New York’s WPIX recently
returned to the scene of the crime, reporters came across an employee hauling
bag after bag of shoes into a truck. When asked where the bags were going, the
employee clearly stated, “In the trash,” as if it should be obvious. When they
questioned if he was aware of H&M’s wasteful shredding and trashing method,
he got shy, repeatedly saying, “I can’t comment on that.”
Of course, all of
us are watching this, completely appalled. Why wouldn’t H&M or Wal-Mart drop
the clothes off at a charity? It would require the same manpower and resources.
Yet, there is a reason why retailers wouldn’t want their merchandise going back
into circulation.
On Double X, Erika Kawalek, who is writing a book on this
issue, brings up a point which may recall your teenage shoplifting days (cough,
cough): “They are more concerned with their cheap merch flooding discount
channels or coming back as ‘unpaid’ returns at their cash registers.” Return
something you never bought; get the refund. One of the oldest tricks in the
book. Still, the concept of throwing out clothes remains unacceptable.

marc by marc jacobs

right now there is an offer at sephora where you get a metallic marc by marc jacobs tote FREE with a fragrance purchase. right now, I'm craving the Daisy by Marc Jacobs. its 20$ for the rollon and 57$ for the bottle.

i thought in light of this offer, i should post my favorite marc items.

all available at shopbop.com

maintaining healthy skin

today I went to the dermatologist with my mother. I have pretty clear skin (with the occasional breakout) and minimal scarring, but I figured I should get myself checked out in case. The doctor agreed that my skin was good overall, but then noticed a beauty mark on my upper arm that turned out to be suspicious. short and gory story short, it was cut off and sent to a lab. yuck. the dermatologist proceeded to give me a lecture on keeping my skin healthy. I thought it would be nice to share it with you.

PRODUCTS TO CONSIDER FOR SKIN:

1. Dove sensitive skin beaty bar moisturizing cream. it smells good, leaves your skin very soft, and maintains the levels of oil/moisture on the surface. very cheap, retails for about 5$

2. Dove Sensitive Skin Nourishing Body Wash nutrium moisture. using this body wash will leave your skin feeling smooth and soft for days, and hydrates dry skin

3. Epiduo (prescription) gel. improves acne over continued use, it both clears existing acne and prevents future breakouts.

since i did have that suspicious beauty mark, i knew i needed to take better care of my skin when i go out into the sun. here are the tips my doctor gave

1. generously apply broad-spectrum water resistant sunscreen. SPF of AT LEAST 15, should be more. reply every two hours. NOTE: even on the days that the sun doesnt come out!

2. wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from ultraviolet rays

3. get your vitamin D through swallowing the actual vitamin, not sun tanning

4. avoid tanning beds. these also cause skin cancer AND wrinkles. ew.

5. make sure to check for changes in any beauty mark (discoloration, shifting, enlargening) and every once in a while go to the doctor just to make double sure.

cheers!

marimekko designs

It is not very often that i find an inspiring textile line. I don't do much sewing aside from mending clothes or turning something already made into something else. However, the prints of the Marimekko company defintely caught my eye. This is a Finnish textile company established in the early fifties, and sells clothing, bags, and accessories as well. Here I will show you my favorite prints. to shop, visit www.marimekko.fi/eng