September 2013 Favorites

I love looking at blogs and YouTube to find what others deem as their favorites each month.  I make a running list of things I'd like to try.  This month, I'm throwing my hat into the ring.  Here are my favorites for September 2013!

• Origins Clear Improvement active charcoal mask.  I have oily skin and have finally found a mask that will do the job of clarification on my very clogged pores.  I've gotten better at my evening routine and may have a system to clear up my skin.  My skin doesn't break out all that often any more, but when it does - it's one of those ugly pimples that hurts like the dickens and takes forever to heal (I usually name it since it stays so long!).  Currently, I use this mask once or twice a week (may only be once a week in the winter months) and I can really see the difference.  It's a dark gray, almost black charcoal mask that goes on smoothly and dries within 10-15 minutes.  I typically leave it on for about 20 minutes or so, then wash it off with a washcloth.  Your washcloth will look a little scary when you are done, but it does not stain them (go here to purchase).  
• Sara Happ the lip scrub and the lip slip.  This product is a monthly favorite each and every month.  I don't know where I'd be without it.  It's amazing.  If I don't use it for a day or two, I can really tell.  My lipstick does not apply well and I feel like I am constantly picking at the dry flakes on my lips during the day (go here to purchase). 
• Non-beauty favorite has to be my new iPhone 5S with the mophie power case.  The iPhone 5S is a lot faster than my old iPhone 4S and I'm also really enjoying the new larger screen.  It also has a lot more storage than my old one.  My iPhone 4S was a 16G, and the new iPhone that I got has 32G.  With that, I had to increase my iCloud storage - but it was worth it!  I'm totally digging the thumb print to open the screen thingie (that's a southern term!), but that's about all I notice that is really different.  But let's not tell my husband that is all that is different.  He's anti-Apple products, but he is supportive of my love for them.  Love him for that!

That is all for the month of September favorites!  Stay tuned for more reviews!  I have FedEx and UPS delivering goodies today!  First, my Erin Condren Life Planner is on a FedEx truck on it's way to my house as I type.  I'm certain I will stay up plenty late tonight putting all my info in it!  Also on it's way is a new face exfoliate from Origins - Modern Friction.  I've used up the sample of this product, so when Origins was offering free shipping and three deluxe samples with purchase, I jumped!  

Love y'all!

L

Hi, my name is Lisa and I'm addicted to lip balm.

And the rest of the room said, "Hi Lisa".

I have lip balm everywhere.  It's always within reach.  At my desk at work, I have an EOS in raspberry or cherry (not sure).  In my purse, I have a Fresh lip balm.  In my living room, another EOS in strawberry.  By my nightstand, there is C.O. Bigelow My Favorite Night Balm.  In my make up bag, another Fresh lip balm.  I think that covers me pretty well.  There are others as back up in my bathroom - you know - in the event of a lip balm crisis (could totally happen).

One night time ritual that I could not live without is my Sara Happ the lip scrub and the lip slip.  My lips are so smooth and totally moisturized when I use this pair at night!

I take my make up off, and wash my face and then what ever treatment I need to do (mask, exfoliation, etc.) followed by toner and moisturizer.  Then, I take a little bit of the lip scrub on my finger and gently rub into my lips in a circular motion. Then I wipe off with a cloth.  Then, I sloth on a good amount of the lip slip.  Then it's off to bed I go!  When I wake up in the morning, my lips are soft, firm and flake free.  When I apply my make up and lipstick in the morning, my lips are perfect!  Highly recommend!

Love y'all!
L

Polish pride

A southern lady will always have presentable nails.  Whether they are clean and bare, long or short, perfectly polished.  For me, I love my nails short and always polished.  The trouble is that nail polish doesn't like to stick to my nails.  Sometimes they would last a day, and they would chip and the polish would peel off in large chunks.  I would wear only nude colors so that it wouldn't look so bad when they chipped.  

Top coats have helped for sure.  I'm a big fan of Seche Vite Fast Drying Top Coat (and I also recommend the Restore for it as well).  With the top coat, my polish would last almost 24 hours. I then started to use alcohol on my nails before the base coat.  That has helped greatly!  So I began to experiment with base coats.  I stumbled across a blog recommendation (which I don't even remember the name of the product).  I ran to Ulta to purchase the base coat, and they were out.  The sales person recommended CND's Stickey Base Coat.  This stuff is the BOMB!!  Depending on the polish formulation I use - I can get a full week out of a polish!  That is just amazing!

Here's what I do:

• I use a cuticle remover and push back my cuticles.  
• I wash my hands and file my nails (including buffing)
• I put some alcohol on a cotton pad to remove any residue of water or cuticle remover
• I use CND Stickey Base Coat
• Then two coats of polish
• Followed by a coat of Seche Vite Fast Drying Top Coat

The great part, is that I can usually go to bed within 30 minutes of doing all that.  It's awesome and it works great.  

I really love the gel nails (or Shellac manicures), but I don't like committing to a particular polish color for two weeks.  I can handle a one week commitment - two is too much.  Don't get me wrong, I think they are IDEAL for special events and super busy times when you don't have the time for any kind of touch ups.

And now, I leave to have dinner so that I can do my nails!  

Love y'all!

L