Fix & Nix

Everyone should own a concealer.  If you're like me than your probably wearing a concealer because of a pesky little pimple!  But people, you don't have to just cover the problem you can FIX it.  With Tarte's The Eraser Concealer.  It is a medium to full coverage concealer with a brush applicator.  (***When deciding which concealer to purchase always buy one with a brush applicator.  They tend to be more creamy & blend into your skin, where as stick & pot concealers tend to settle in lines & look cakey under the eye area***). The Eraser Concealer has Sephora's Natural seal meaning it is formulated without Phthalates, Petro-chemicals, Sulfates, Synthetic dyes, or Synthetic Fragrances.  In addition to being made without toxic chemicals, The Eraser Concealer has ingredients that treat under eye circles & blemishes!  Tarte has created a Skinvigorating potion of ingredients that are good for your face like cucumber extract, excellent for its skin smoothing properties, vitamin E an antioxidant known for its anti-inflammatory properties, & vitamin C another antioxidant that brightens the skin-aiding in premature aging of the skin.  The Eraser Concealer also has safflower seed oil for its moisturizing capabilities.  And my personal favorite arnica flower extract which is known for its power of healing the appearance of under eye circles!  The Eraser Concealer comes in 10 creamy shades so they are bound to have the perfect shade for your complexion!

DEO for the BO

As I've already stated I'm a Product Junkie.  But when I found out I was pregnant I had to reassess the products I was using either due to actual warning labels on the products warning against using while pregnant or actually taking advice from my very knowledgeable mother (only when it comes to natural health of coarse).  She always was on me about using natural deodorants because they are formulated without aluminum.  Of coarse I blew her of because "what does she know, & besides those natural deodorants don't work, & how embarrassing are sweat stains?!"  Well when I became pregnant I wanted to not only put the best foods into my body I wanted to be sure to only use products on my body that wouldn't be harmful to my baby.  The Ban deodorant I was using was not only harmful to my baby but myself, so it had to go.  After listening to my mother & doing a little research on the good ol' world wide web I found that the aluminum in deodorant isn't the only toxic chemical it is formulated with but just 1 of 20...

I've done the research for you and complied all the most important & alarming facts I've found.  Take it as you will-but hope you read the following & make the change:

"Use deodorant instead of antiperspirant, since sweat is normal and blocking the pores is not. Especially avoid aluminum, which is found in high levels in the brain plaques linked to Alzheimer's disease. And with deodorants, avoid phthalates, which are plastics used to help the fragrance stay on our skin and block endocrine function, especially in the male fetus. Parabens, which are used as preservatives in these products, should also be avoided since they could be linked to breast cancer."
- You: Staying Young: The Owner's Manual for Extending Your Warranty by Mehmet C. Oz., M.D. and Michael F. Roizen, M.D.

Most contain aluminum zirconium, which is toxic to the nervous and reproductive systems, a chemical called BHT, which is believed to be a hormonal disrupter and neurotoxin, and various chemicals that give your deodorant stick that distinctive smell. You'll also get another dose of propylene glycol, which helps the deodorant go on so nicely but is linked to irritation and immune toxicity.
- The Detox Strategy: Vibrant Health in 5 Easy Steps by Brenda Watson and Leonard Smith



“Studies are now showing that continuous exposure to toxic chemicals in personal hygiene products, such as antiperspirants, may be related to allergic reactions, Alzheimer’s, and even breast cancer in women. This may come as no surprise considering the fact that most deodorants are made up of aluminum chlorohydrate, as well as up to 20 other toxic chemicals.

Chemical exposure in antiperspirants is not limited to aluminum. There are many other poisonous chemicals, including anti-freeze, in the conventional stick of antiperspirant. Paraben, also a common ingredient in many deodorants, has been linked to higher risks for breast cancer, due to the estrogen-mimicking effect.

Studies done by the U.S. Toxicology Program in 1997 found that hormone disruptors such as PropTEA and DEA, other normal ingredients found in deodorants, were reported to be carcinogenic (cancer-causing) in animals.

Other chemicals such as FD&C colors, triclosan and quaternium compounds have been found to lead to cancerous diseases, dermatitis, allergies and asthma-like symptoms in both animals and humans. Over 90% of the chemicals used in fragrance additives to common personal-care products come from petroleum.” Dr. Edward Group

So I already said that natural deodorants dont work-so what do you do? Well I have found one that does and I've been using it for close to 2 years now.  Lavanila Laboratories The Healthy Deodorant.  Its 100% Natural & comes in 4 fresh scents. The Healthy Deodorant provides long-lasting odor protection & has soothing essential oils & antioxidants that have even cured my HORRIABLE razor burn! There is NO aluminum, NO parabens, NO: petrochemicals, phthalates, propylene glycol, mineral oils, silicone, synthetic dyes, or sulfates.  I've tried the Pure Vanilla & Vanilla Lavender scents. I liked the Pure Vanilla but feel that the Vanilla Lavander works better on odor. The other 2 scents are Vanilla Coconut & Vanilla Grapefruit.  They are available exclusively at Sephora.  If you plan on ordering online at sephora.com & want to try either the vanilla coconut or vanilla grapefruit keep in mind, I remember one of them smelled like kitty litter!  But the pure vanilla & vanilla lavender smell lovely!So stop using those toxins & get HEALTHY!

All the LUX minus the BUCKS

Being a Stay-at-home-Mom has been my number one priority & something that has been really important to my husband & I.  Since we don't have 2 salaries coming in budgeting & prioritizing is a must.  But I CAN NOT live without all my pricey lotions & potions...and I found a way that I don't have to!  I literally tried using drug store brand body lotions & my skin felt absolutely horrible & snake-like.  I couldn't take it anymore & went and splurged on a $25 body butter...but that didn't really fly well with my husband, understandably.  Then a miracle happened: I was on a holiday return trip to Marshalls when I came across their beauty section!  They have top of the line hair care, skin care, and bath & body products!  I think I always knew this but for some reason never really processed.

Ive discovered an ultra fab body butter by Kings & Queens. $4.99 at Marshalls vs. $15.00 elsewhere!  Mineral Oil & Paraben free this body butter enriches your skin with shea butter & coconut oils.  The scent they had at Marshalls was Nerfertiti Honey but if you check out their website: www.forkingsandqueens.com you can check out the whole line.  I haven't even heard of this company before I came across it at Marshalls but now I'm hooked!  The Nefertiti Honey Body Butter smells amazing & has a royal mix of pomegranate blue lotus, and malachite.  Kings & Queens isn't the only brand at Marshalls that caught my eye.  Every time Ive been there they have had fancy delicious smelling French soaps, The Body Shop body butters & scrubs, they even carry DDF & Peter Thomas Roth skincare items!  Today I even saw they had the StriVectin Intensive Concentrate for Stretch Marks & Wrinkles for only $49.99 at Sephora & department stores you'll pay $135!!! 

If your looking for a great deal on more then just clothes, which is the first thing I think of when someone says Marshalls, then head to your closest Marshalls or TJMAXX asap before all the good stuff is gone! 

Battle of the Brands

Anew Clinical Advanced Retexturizing Peel ($25) vs. Peter Thomas Roth Unwrinkle Peel Pads ($45)

I've had a Anew Clinical Advanced Retexturizing Peel lying around-I was waiting to try it out once I finished my Clinique 7 day Scrub Cream.  I am one week into my pads & I'm ready to let you know how I feel about them.  Winner of the Allure Magazine Best of Beauty Award 2010 for Best Peel, the Anew Clinical Advanced Retexturizing Peel is a blend of glycolic acid & soothing botanicals which calm the skin.  Swiping the textured side of the pad over your face will peel away dull skin revealing a brighter, smoother complexion. The suggested usage is to use them every other day morning or night.  I would highly advice using this strictly at night because if you have sensitive or dry skin you may experience a tingling sensation or a little redness. I have a more oily skin type & my skin is use to glycolic acid and I still experience a slight tingling sensation.  On the box that the product is packaged in it states "that after 1 week or 4 uses, skin is less lined, more even-toned, & has a clearer appearance. Skin looks younger & feels firmer."  This is a HUGE claim for a product for just 4 uses!  While I do feel it has revealed a more radiant texture & clarity while unclogging my pores, there is no way a product can reduce the appearance of lines in just 4 uses!  I don't have any issues with lack of firmness but again no product after 4 uses will firm your skin.  Especially this product because even if you use all 30 of the pads firm skin will not be a result.  Your skin my feel a little tight after your apply it because of the alcohol but there aren't any ingredients in here that would give you firmer skin...instead of making outlandish claims they should just stick to the facts because it really does other great things!  Its great for all skin types: it will help reduce breakouts & acne scaring, will lighten hyperpigmantation.  Results are an improvement in texture & unclogged pores. 

BUT...is it really less expensive then the competition?  NO!  Peter Thomas Roth's Unwrinkle Peel Pads are $45 for 60 pads that's $0.75 per pad vs. Avon's $0.83 per pad...plus PTR has alpha, beta, & gamma hydroxy acids & amino acids (peptides) in their product.  The ingredient list on PTR's Unwrinkle Peel Pad is way more impressive then the Retexturing Peel.  They both will do the same thing but you'll see better results with the Unwrinkle Peel Pads.  Essentially you get more for your money with PTR's.  According to ratings on other websites Avon's peels got 3.5 out of 5 stars on average where PTR's peel got 4.5 out of 5 stars on average.  Bottom line: yes your paying double for PTR's up front but think of it as buying in bulk like you do at Sam's Club.  In the end not only are the pads less expensive per pad than Avon's but have way more affective ingredients. 

AND THE WINNER ISSS...PETER THOMAS ROTH'S UNWRIKLE PEEL PADS!!!

makeup YOU blush!!!

   Let me make YOU blush!  I do it all-makeup for every event! From Glam Night Out to Bridal Beauty I've got you covered.  Ive worked & trained with Sephora & Clinique in addition to being a freelance makeup artist. 

Service Menu:

Makeup Lesson:  Together we will pick out the perfect makeup for you & learn how to easily apply ($50)
Glam Night Out:  Take your makeup look up a volt or two for that special night on the town ($25)
Bridal Beauty:  (Depending on location) The Bride- ($65-$100)
                                                                     Bridal Party- ($35-65)
Print, TV, Video:  Will work to build my portfolio

MORE PHOTOS TO COME!!!  GATHERING UP MY WORK...

Just SPRUNG Alreadyyy!!!

Sighhh I received my Spring 2011 Sephora catalog in the mail yesterday...I am in love with the Spring trends this season!  Going to have to ask Josh for a raise-pretty much dying over every page! If you're not on Sephora's mail list, you NEED to sign up-their seasonal catalogs are gorgeous little treats!  If you are on the mailing list & have your catalog whip it out and lets go through it together:

Okay, I know I just got done saying that I was dying over every page-but obviously I didn't love everything.  And well, the cover was rather 80s in a bad way.  Just boring, boring, boring-Francois you can do better!  The look for the cover came from the Limited Edition Nars set: Front Row Set. The eyeshadow colors are dull, everyone in the world already owns Orgasm lipgloss & a black eyeliner, and The Multiple in Palm Springs doesn't look great on everyone.  The look that should have been on the cover was the look created from the Limited Edition Nars set: Fashion Forward!  DYING, love, love love this look.  A bold electric purple high pigmented shadow, a mini Multiple in Orgasm, Hollywoodland Shadow Pencil (pale gold creamy eye pencil), and Easy Lover lipgloss (sheer hot pink) Arghh I NEED this kit.  The look in the catalog would have to be toned down to go out in public-because purple eyeshadow all the way to the brow isn't hot.  But this kit is & hopefully if I can get my hands on one Ill do a makeup tutorial on how to pull this look off in time for Spring!

Tokidoki = genius!  CUTEST freakin' packaging & the product is actually good!  That usually doest happen ( i.e Benefit...they have the cutest packaging but the product falls short).  The new Limited Edition Sodashop Tin is awesome its a $225 value for $49-it comes with a ton of stuff including 12 eyeshadows all of which are beautiful shades, a Perfetto Eyeliner in Carina (eggplant) the perfetto eyeliner is a liquid eyeliner with an innovative brush to help you get the perfect liquid liner look.  With the chisel tip you can create three different liner looks: thin, medium, or a heavy liner look.  Also in the tin is a cute little Tokidoki character magnet and a sheet of Tokidoki character stickers to decorate your life with.

Make Up Forever is one of my favorite brands.  For all those MAC lovers just try Make Up Forever-its comparable but BETTER!  And they have a liner that is perfect for the vivid brights spring trend.  The Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes in Pistachio 17L is AMAZING!!!  Its a vibrant yellow-green and I'm absolutely, deeply, passionately in love with the whole look on the model in the catalog rep-ing the vibrant brights look! The liner is creamy it glides right on the lid-super pigmented and waterproof so its not going to move on you.  The vivid brights is my ultimate favorite look in the spring catalog-the vibrant yellow -green liner paired with the vivid red lip oh my gosh...NEED, NEED, NEED!

Orange lip trend...although I think this lip color is pretty sweet, only a view people can actually pull it off.  I'm not one of them but think Kim Kardashian would look perfect in an orange lip.  So if you look like Kim then go for it!  But if you look like me...then don't. HA!

Okay ground hog I hope you were right in that Spring is just around the corner because I'm ready to go bold & start experimenting with these new looks!  But I'm not so sure I can wait...So, if you happen to see a girl grocery shopping with yellow-green eyeliner in an great red lip you'll know who it is :)

 

Amy's Wish List for Spring 2011

#1 Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes in Pistachio ($17)

#2 Nars Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Baroque ($24)

#3 Nars Fashion Forward Set ($59)

#4 Peter Thomas Roth Laser- Free Resurfacer with Dragons Blood ($75)

#5 Fresh Sugar Lip Polish

#6 Caudalie Premier Cru the Eye Cream ($95)

#7 Tokidoki Sodashop Tin ($49)

#8 Fairy Drops Scandal Queen Mascara ($24)

#9 Nars Blush in Desire ($27)

#10 Boscia Luminizing Black Mask ($34)

HAPPY HAPPY SPRING

You Are What You Eat

Shoveing Taco Bell down your gullet will not result in a radiant & smooth complexion people.  I got a question asking if what you eat effects how your skin looks.  And while I know that eating junk food isnt good for your health or skin I wanted to look into it a little further & find foods for you that ARE good for your face!  So many people make dieting & loosing weight a new years reseloution which is great-eating a healthy diet is an excellent way to live your life.  But here's some extra motavation, not only are you going to loose the extra lb's. but you'll have beautiful skin to match your new 2011 body!

Obviousally Im not a nutrisinast so I had to do some online researching to find the answer to this question.  I found the following "10 Foods For Your Face" at lifescript.com

# 1 AVOCADOS: while your making your DIY at home avocado mask go ahead and eat some too!  Avocados have a ton of essential oils & B-complex vitamins that are good for you inside & out.  "Niacin (vitamin B3) is especially important for healthy skin, and avocados contain lots of it. Niacin, an anti-inflammatory, soothes irritated skin and red, blotchy skin. One avocado has 3.8 mg niacin – 27% of your daily need."

# 2 MANGOS: "Mangoes have more than 80% of your daily requirements for vitamin A, which is why they’re such a great face food. Vitamin A maintains and repairs skin cells; a deficiency will result in a dry, flaky complexion.  As an antioxidant, vitamin A also fights free radical damage that can prematurely age the skin. And with fewer than 70 calories per serving, this succulent fruit is the perfect pick for your figure, not just your face."

# 3 ALMONDS: Almonds contain 150% of your daily intake of vitamain E.  "Vitamin E's rich oils moisturize dry skin, and its antioxidants protect against skin damage and premature aging".

# 4 COTTAGE CHEESE: So far Ive been excited to see that the foods we're something I enjoyed eating anyway.  But Cottage Cheese, none for me thank you!  But if you like it then go for it!  Cottage Cheese contains selenium an important mineral.  "Selenium teams up with vitamin E as a powerful free radical-fighting antioxidant duo. Plus, it’ll protect against skin cancer and fight dandruff."

# 5  ACEROLA CHERRIES: "One of these cherries supplies 100% of your daily allowance for vitamin C, which is great news for your skin. As an antioxidant, vitamin C fights skin damage and wrinkles. It also plays a central role in the production of collagen, the structural protein in your skin."

# 6 OYSTERS: Not just for help in the bedroom department! "They fight pimples because they’re rich in zinc. The mineral affects sebum production, a deficiency may contribute to acne. Zinc also helps boost elastin (the skin's elastic protein) production with the help of vitamin C."

# 7 BAKED POTATOES: Im pretty sure they arent refering to a loaded baked potato, you know with all that yummy melted chedder cheese & BUTTER...but oh well if you do load up your potato atleast you can rest knowing part of it was good for your face!  "Eat one baked potato (with the skin) to get 75% of your daily copper need. This essential mineral works with vitamin C and zinc to produce the elastin fibers that support skin structure. Too little copper in your diet can reduce your skin’s ability to heal and cause it to become rigid and lifeless."
 
 

#8 MUSHROOMS:  "Rich in riboflavin, a B vitamin that’s vital to your skin. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is involved in tissue maintenance and repair, and improves skin blemishes caused by rosacea. This vitamin is so important for skin repair that the body uses large amounts after sustaining a burn or wound, or undergoing surgery."

#9 FLAXSEED OIL:  ARGHHH it's so annoying when your mother is right!!!  Okay mom, I'll start taking flaxseed oil again..."Just one teaspoon of flaxseed oil per day provides 2.5 grams of omega 3s, which, in turn, hydrate the skin. Essential fatty acids also dilute sebum and unclog pores that otherwise leads to acne."  According to Joan it takes nearly nine capsulas of flaxseed oil  to give you the same benefit of just one tablespoon of the oil.  So even thou its not the most pleasant thing in the world its worth it...so just suck it up and shoot it down!

#10 WHEAT GERM:  Two in a row!!!  Another thing my mother has told me countless times to incorporate into my diet...fine I'll eat it!!!  But let me get something straight, it's not because YOU told me to but because it's good for my skin...so there! "Wheat germ is a good source of biotin, a B vitamin that's crucial to skin health. A mild biotin deficiency can cause dermatitis, a condition characterized by itchy, scaly skin."

So there you have it people 10 foods that are healthy for you inside & out!  In addition in adding these foods to your diet its essential to drink your 8 glasses of water a day to keep your skin plump and hydrated!