Shaving can cut you. Nothing worse than razor burn. Oh wait, tiny razor cuts are worse. Waxing....well let's be real. Waxing hurts. A lot. I only get my brows done and it results in me squishing my face with each rip. So what is a gal supposed to do when she needs to have smooth, summer legs? I mean it's not like we ladies have a choice in the matter. Hairy legs are never a do. Stubbly legs? Nope they aren't on the list either.
What do I recommend? Laser hair removal. I know, it sounds ridiculous. Ridiculous to do and ridiculously expensive. You aren't wrong. Here's the thing though. It works and is worth every penny. I went to get my lower legs done as a birthday treat. Six treatments (spaced over about six months) later and my legs are smooth. The pores are smaller. I shave twice a month during pants weather and once a week during hot summer. I'm not entirely sure I even need to shave that much. It may just be ingrained habit combined with a super sensitivity to being stubbly. I got lucky and was introduced to the practice of lasering my underarms. I thought the notion was ridiculous, but again I was amazed. The hair is finer when it grows back, I shave about once a week and the pores have shrunk to a tiny size. Even if there is some hair there, my armpits are always looking good. :)
I think the safest approach is to find someone who is licensed. My dermatologist has a side business of cosmetic procedures. I felt safe there and knew that a quality laser would be used. That is the most important part. You need to feel safe and you need to make sure that good equipment will be used. Otherwise, the entire ordeal is a waste of time and money. Poor laser = poor results. Unsafe environment probably means you will be uneasy and as a result you won't get smooth.
This is definitely an investment. But one that will make you happy....and smooth.
March 12, 2012
March 5, 2012
Some Kind of Wen-derful
I have been remiss in giving a review of Wen hair products. Nonsulfate shampoos are all the rage. Why? Because all that sudsing action in the shower is actually not good for your hair. It makes for fun baby pictures and sometimes sporting a faux hawk with suds up hair is a good time. Alas, it strips your hair. This leads to breakage, difficulty in absorbing color (if you're into that), and depletes the moisture content. What does this mean? Dull, blah, lifeless hair.
Enter Wen. Chaz Dean operates his own salon in California and put together a special formulation to help his clients maintain their expensive color treatments. The result is the only cleansing conditioner on the market. This product can actually take the place of your shampoo, conditioner, detangler, leave in conditioner, and shaving cream (if you are so inclined). It takes some getting used to, because let's face it who doesn't equate suds with being clean? But the results are amazing! One use and my hair had more bounce, after three it was like I had a new head of hair.
I have seen my current hair stylist for 12 years and the first time she saw me after I used Wen she asked me what I was doing to make my hair so soft and manageable. There are different formulas for different hair concerns. Since I color my hair, I am partial to the Fig and Pomegranate. If I'm not coloring my hair, I love the Sweet Almond Mint.
It is a little pricier than your average shampoo. However, hair washed with Wen actually needs to be washed less often. Seriously! People that "need" to wash their hair everyday can probably go 2 todays. Other folks may notice that they can go 5 days before they have to wash their hair. Also, QVC offers pretty good deals. Twice a year, you can purchase a full gallon of the stuff! A GALLON!
Try it, you'll see.
Enter Wen. Chaz Dean operates his own salon in California and put together a special formulation to help his clients maintain their expensive color treatments. The result is the only cleansing conditioner on the market. This product can actually take the place of your shampoo, conditioner, detangler, leave in conditioner, and shaving cream (if you are so inclined). It takes some getting used to, because let's face it who doesn't equate suds with being clean? But the results are amazing! One use and my hair had more bounce, after three it was like I had a new head of hair.
I have seen my current hair stylist for 12 years and the first time she saw me after I used Wen she asked me what I was doing to make my hair so soft and manageable. There are different formulas for different hair concerns. Since I color my hair, I am partial to the Fig and Pomegranate. If I'm not coloring my hair, I love the Sweet Almond Mint.
It is a little pricier than your average shampoo. However, hair washed with Wen actually needs to be washed less often. Seriously! People that "need" to wash their hair everyday can probably go 2 todays. Other folks may notice that they can go 5 days before they have to wash their hair. Also, QVC offers pretty good deals. Twice a year, you can purchase a full gallon of the stuff! A GALLON!
Try it, you'll see.
March 2, 2012
Work Tested, Taryn Approved
It's been a pretty rough couple of weeks at work. Emotionally draining days finally culminated in a complete and utter breakdown. Full on sob fest. It wasn't pretty....well actually, it kinda was. These eyes of mine do get mighty green when I cry.
The reason I bring up my emotional breakdown is because despite the waterworks display and tissue usage, when I looked in the mirror my eyes were still perfectly lined. Any color on the tissue was mascara related. Not one break in the liner that I had applied first thing in the morning. A-MAZING!!! I guess I should not be surprised. This liner had already been put to the test through a series of funerals over the last few years and a couple of touching wedding ceremonies. The only time this stuff comes off is when I'm ready to take it off.
Not only is this liner ridiculously long lasting, but it also goes on like a dream. It's got something like 90% water content. This means you must be gentle when applying or you risk breaking it. As each liner costs $18 a pencil, you want to keep it as intact as possible. Make sure you twist to reveal a slight amount of product and use very light pressure. You barely need to press down to get a full flush of color on your line.
What could this mysteriously perfect liner be?
Tarte CosmeticsEmphasEYES Aqua Gel Liner. You can find it at Sephora, Ulta and QVC. QVC usually has a deal where you can order two or three pencils for a relatively low price.
Colors: Bronze, Brown, Black, Charcoal, Green, Navy, Purple, Teal (pass)
The reason I bring up my emotional breakdown is because despite the waterworks display and tissue usage, when I looked in the mirror my eyes were still perfectly lined. Any color on the tissue was mascara related. Not one break in the liner that I had applied first thing in the morning. A-MAZING!!! I guess I should not be surprised. This liner had already been put to the test through a series of funerals over the last few years and a couple of touching wedding ceremonies. The only time this stuff comes off is when I'm ready to take it off.
Not only is this liner ridiculously long lasting, but it also goes on like a dream. It's got something like 90% water content. This means you must be gentle when applying or you risk breaking it. As each liner costs $18 a pencil, you want to keep it as intact as possible. Make sure you twist to reveal a slight amount of product and use very light pressure. You barely need to press down to get a full flush of color on your line.
What could this mysteriously perfect liner be?
Tarte CosmeticsEmphasEYES Aqua Gel Liner. You can find it at Sephora, Ulta and QVC. QVC usually has a deal where you can order two or three pencils for a relatively low price.
Colors: Bronze, Brown, Black, Charcoal, Green, Navy, Purple, Teal (pass)
August 3, 2010
Waxing Philosophy
Like I said before, if you find a product at the drug store that works for you, USE IT! However, if you find a high end product that you like more, don't be embarrassed to spend the extra dough. Especially if it is a cleansing product. Better cleanser equals a better face meaning less money that you'll have to spend on make up to cover up what you don't like.
I wasn't really sure how I felt about Philosophy as a brand. I mean honestly it comes across as a bit pretentious with their middle aged advertisers and their sweet smelling products. Seemed like a lot of packaging and hoopla (stories on every bottle, really?) to me.
I may be a convert now. As I said, I tested Philosophy's Purity Made Simple Facial cleanser. And I'm a believer. This stuff is so gentle that I can put it on my eyes. And it is such an effective cleanser that I do so on purpose to remove eye mascara and residual shadow and liner. No eye redness, no stinging....AMAZING.
They make the same cleanser in a foaming type. I'd be wary of this as I recently read that a lot of foaming cleansers contain sulfates (hence the suds like shampoo) that actually strips the skin too much and can result in more break outs. My new anti-sulfate stance has also caused me to product test the Wen hair care system. Also sulfate free and actually labels itself as a cleansing conditioner not a shampoo. More on that in another post.
If it appears that I'm testing random products now, that could be because I am. My dog recently had TPLO surgery which has caused me to sleep on the couch on the first floor of my house for going on 25 days. The severe decrease in human contact has resulted in a steep increase in my watching QVC. And I'm a sucker for beauty night on QVC. As a matter of fact, I just received a package in the mail containing Tarte's under eye concealer. I'll let you know how it goes.
Details on Philosophy:
Comes in an 8 oz container for $20 at Ulta beauty and Sephora.
QVC and Nordstrom each currently have a sale of ~$40 for a 32 oz bottle.
Definitely recommend. Deeply cleanses without over stripping.
I wasn't really sure how I felt about Philosophy as a brand. I mean honestly it comes across as a bit pretentious with their middle aged advertisers and their sweet smelling products. Seemed like a lot of packaging and hoopla (stories on every bottle, really?) to me.
I may be a convert now. As I said, I tested Philosophy's Purity Made Simple Facial cleanser. And I'm a believer. This stuff is so gentle that I can put it on my eyes. And it is such an effective cleanser that I do so on purpose to remove eye mascara and residual shadow and liner. No eye redness, no stinging....AMAZING.
They make the same cleanser in a foaming type. I'd be wary of this as I recently read that a lot of foaming cleansers contain sulfates (hence the suds like shampoo) that actually strips the skin too much and can result in more break outs. My new anti-sulfate stance has also caused me to product test the Wen hair care system. Also sulfate free and actually labels itself as a cleansing conditioner not a shampoo. More on that in another post.
If it appears that I'm testing random products now, that could be because I am. My dog recently had TPLO surgery which has caused me to sleep on the couch on the first floor of my house for going on 25 days. The severe decrease in human contact has resulted in a steep increase in my watching QVC. And I'm a sucker for beauty night on QVC. As a matter of fact, I just received a package in the mail containing Tarte's under eye concealer. I'll let you know how it goes.
Details on Philosophy:
Comes in an 8 oz container for $20 at Ulta beauty and Sephora.
QVC and Nordstrom each currently have a sale of ~$40 for a 32 oz bottle.
Definitely recommend. Deeply cleanses without over stripping.
July 6, 2010
Taryn's Tip
Q Tips are our best friends. Not only are they good for cleaning one's ears and hard to reach surfaces but they are the ultimate beauty tool. Why? They are cheap and effective. You can use them as a liner brush or to smudge a drawn line. They can clean up your lipstick malfunctions. Or my new favorite use is when I manage to stab my upper lid with the mascara wand after I have put on my liner and shadow. This leaves me with a very large unnatural looking black spot. I cannot pass it off as a beauty mark as it is never in the same place twice. Enter the Q Tip. If the mascara is still wet, the Q will wipe it clean off leaving no evidence. If it is dry, Mr. Q needs to be dabbed in water and voila! No more spot. Always have Q-Tips around, you never know when you may need them.
Item currently being tested: Philosophy's Purity made simple facial cleanser. Can it possibly live up to the hype?
Item currently being tested: Philosophy's Purity made simple facial cleanser. Can it possibly live up to the hype?
June 30, 2010
The Essentials
A lot of magazines and websites put out lists of the essentials products that you need. Usually followed by a list of products that "they" tell you need but the magazine disagrees. I'm joining the fray. In this tough economy, spending big bucks on products does not make sense. I'm currently in the midst of preparing for an extremely large vet bill. This has made me take a hard evaluation of needs and wants.
Things that you should spend money on:
1) Facial cleanser
Why?: Let's face it (no pun intended), everything starts with how clean your face is. The cleaner your face, the less make up you will "need" to put on. If you have no acne or imperfections, you won't spend as much time and money on products to make it appear like you have no acne or imperfections. This isn't to say that you need to spend huge amounts of money on a facial cleanser, but you should not be embarrassed to pony up the dollars if you find one that works for you.
Splurge: Clinque or Bliss both put out really nice cleansers. They fall into the $20 and up category and can be purchased online, in department stores (Clinique) or Sephora (Bliss).
Steal: I'm a big fan of Aveeno. It keeps my skin in clean but does not overdry. I've had luck with Biore and Noxzema as well. The latter two have both gone through some product reformulations. Since all three of these brands are well under $10 apiece, it won't hurt you to try until you find one. These steals can all be found in CVS type stores, Target/Walmart and Bed, Bath, and Beyond
2) Toner
Why?: Everyone says you don't need this product. It is from an older era where cleansers left a film on the face that needed to be removed by toner. I say poppycock! There have been many a time that I have used Toner on my face after cleansing, and my cotton square has been tinted with the color of my foundation. Today's toner doesn't have to be your momma's toner. Several brands put out a product that does not have the same astringent feeling or odor AND gets the job done sometimes even adding a bit of moisture.
My favorite? I'm in love with Boots Rosewater toner. It has an awesome scent, is gentle, and gets the job done. Unfortunately, the only place I have found it is inside Target stores.
3) Eyeliner
Why? The eyes are the gateway to the soul and all that jazz. Even babies now that eyes are a focal point of the face. Regardless of your other features, people are drawn to the eyes. Help them out! A good eyeliner, done well, will help emphasize and open up your peepers.
Splurge: Need I say it? Stila's smudge sticks at $20 apiece are kinda pricey. But to me they are worth it. They do NOT come off until you want them to come off. Even if you are one of those that prefers to get close to your lid rims.
Steal: Avon's glimmersticks are $6 apiece and come pretty close to Stila's standard. The main difference is the lack of color selection at Avon. They have the standard black, brown and navy. Their green and gray are okay and their purple found its way into my trash immediately.
4) Moisturizer
Why? Unless you want to look like an old hag, you need to keep your face moisturized. Doing so will help push back the onset of non genetic lines and wrinkles. As you age, your skin loses firmness and elasticity. Plump skin helps to hide this process. Again, you don't have to spend big bucks to get a quality product, but if you find one that does cost money and it works SPEND.
Splurge: Any department store brand
Steal: A month ago, I would have gone on and one about another Booth's product here. The rosewater day disappearing moisturizer was great. But I have found an ever greater product. L'Oreal's new complexion equalizer day/night cream is fantastic! Not only is it purple (awesome color). But it lives up to its promise. Your skin will look more refreshed and alive by using this product. I have yet to actually find it not on sale, but I think it is around $20. Not cheap by pharmacy brand standards. However, the beauty in a product that works is that you don't need to use much to have success. A jar lasts a very long time.
5) Foundation
Why? It's okay to spend money on foundation. If you are spending money on your cleansing routine, you won't be using a lot of foundation. So go ahead and spend the money because it will last a really long time. As much as the eyes are the gateway to the soul, no one is going to see that gateway if they are distracted by blotchy, uneven skin. Foundation helps you make your skin look like it all belongs together not some misshapen quilt.
Splurge: Go to Sephora, there are many to choose from.
Steal: I have officially been turned into a Bare Minerals convert. Despite being a powder, it actually provides coverage without looking like war paint. It is made from all natural ingredients so your skin actually benefits from wearing it. And if you fall asleep without taking it off, you will not have a disaster on your hands. It's about $25 per pot, but again it doesn't take a lot to achieve a covered face. If you crave a liquid make up, I like Make Up Forever's Mat Velvet formula. It technically should fall more in the splurge category. Good coverage, very little meltage in hot weather.
6) Primer:
Why? A relatively new fangled invention in the consumer make up world. Primer helps even out your skin to prepare it for other products. It can fill in light wrinkles, this prevents liquid make up from settling and making their appearance larger. The primer gives make up something to stick to. By having the barrier, make up lasts longer. In fact, if you have a decent primer, you can spend less money on other products because the primer will give any make up a lasting effect. Spend $18 on an eye primer that will last months and you can use CoverGirl eye shadow and it will stay on your lid as long as Chanel without primer.
Splurge: There are several brands that combine different properties into their primers. Some help with other skin issues (acne). Some have a tinted color. Some are silicon based, some are cream based. Primers with added benefits cost more
Steal: BareMinerals facial primer at $21 is a bargain. It makes your skin feel good (no greasy feel while it drys). Something about it makes it feel clean. It is a silicone based product so it spreads very easily. For eye lid primer? Well I'm still testing a variety of brands. I have liked Urban Decay's product. But I'm not a fan of the applicator. It forces you to use more than you need. I got a free product sample of Too Faced which I enjoyed and I am currently testing Kat Von D's primer. All three are around $20.
Things that you should spend money on:
1) Facial cleanser
Why?: Let's face it (no pun intended), everything starts with how clean your face is. The cleaner your face, the less make up you will "need" to put on. If you have no acne or imperfections, you won't spend as much time and money on products to make it appear like you have no acne or imperfections. This isn't to say that you need to spend huge amounts of money on a facial cleanser, but you should not be embarrassed to pony up the dollars if you find one that works for you.
Splurge: Clinque or Bliss both put out really nice cleansers. They fall into the $20 and up category and can be purchased online, in department stores (Clinique) or Sephora (Bliss).
Steal: I'm a big fan of Aveeno. It keeps my skin in clean but does not overdry. I've had luck with Biore and Noxzema as well. The latter two have both gone through some product reformulations. Since all three of these brands are well under $10 apiece, it won't hurt you to try until you find one. These steals can all be found in CVS type stores, Target/Walmart and Bed, Bath, and Beyond
2) Toner
Why?: Everyone says you don't need this product. It is from an older era where cleansers left a film on the face that needed to be removed by toner. I say poppycock! There have been many a time that I have used Toner on my face after cleansing, and my cotton square has been tinted with the color of my foundation. Today's toner doesn't have to be your momma's toner. Several brands put out a product that does not have the same astringent feeling or odor AND gets the job done sometimes even adding a bit of moisture.
My favorite? I'm in love with Boots Rosewater toner. It has an awesome scent, is gentle, and gets the job done. Unfortunately, the only place I have found it is inside Target stores.
3) Eyeliner
Why? The eyes are the gateway to the soul and all that jazz. Even babies now that eyes are a focal point of the face. Regardless of your other features, people are drawn to the eyes. Help them out! A good eyeliner, done well, will help emphasize and open up your peepers.
Splurge: Need I say it? Stila's smudge sticks at $20 apiece are kinda pricey. But to me they are worth it. They do NOT come off until you want them to come off. Even if you are one of those that prefers to get close to your lid rims.
Steal: Avon's glimmersticks are $6 apiece and come pretty close to Stila's standard. The main difference is the lack of color selection at Avon. They have the standard black, brown and navy. Their green and gray are okay and their purple found its way into my trash immediately.
4) Moisturizer
Why? Unless you want to look like an old hag, you need to keep your face moisturized. Doing so will help push back the onset of non genetic lines and wrinkles. As you age, your skin loses firmness and elasticity. Plump skin helps to hide this process. Again, you don't have to spend big bucks to get a quality product, but if you find one that does cost money and it works SPEND.
Splurge: Any department store brand
Steal: A month ago, I would have gone on and one about another Booth's product here. The rosewater day disappearing moisturizer was great. But I have found an ever greater product. L'Oreal's new complexion equalizer day/night cream is fantastic! Not only is it purple (awesome color). But it lives up to its promise. Your skin will look more refreshed and alive by using this product. I have yet to actually find it not on sale, but I think it is around $20. Not cheap by pharmacy brand standards. However, the beauty in a product that works is that you don't need to use much to have success. A jar lasts a very long time.
5) Foundation
Why? It's okay to spend money on foundation. If you are spending money on your cleansing routine, you won't be using a lot of foundation. So go ahead and spend the money because it will last a really long time. As much as the eyes are the gateway to the soul, no one is going to see that gateway if they are distracted by blotchy, uneven skin. Foundation helps you make your skin look like it all belongs together not some misshapen quilt.
Splurge: Go to Sephora, there are many to choose from.
Steal: I have officially been turned into a Bare Minerals convert. Despite being a powder, it actually provides coverage without looking like war paint. It is made from all natural ingredients so your skin actually benefits from wearing it. And if you fall asleep without taking it off, you will not have a disaster on your hands. It's about $25 per pot, but again it doesn't take a lot to achieve a covered face. If you crave a liquid make up, I like Make Up Forever's Mat Velvet formula. It technically should fall more in the splurge category. Good coverage, very little meltage in hot weather.
6) Primer:
Why? A relatively new fangled invention in the consumer make up world. Primer helps even out your skin to prepare it for other products. It can fill in light wrinkles, this prevents liquid make up from settling and making their appearance larger. The primer gives make up something to stick to. By having the barrier, make up lasts longer. In fact, if you have a decent primer, you can spend less money on other products because the primer will give any make up a lasting effect. Spend $18 on an eye primer that will last months and you can use CoverGirl eye shadow and it will stay on your lid as long as Chanel without primer.
Splurge: There are several brands that combine different properties into their primers. Some help with other skin issues (acne). Some have a tinted color. Some are silicon based, some are cream based. Primers with added benefits cost more
Steal: BareMinerals facial primer at $21 is a bargain. It makes your skin feel good (no greasy feel while it drys). Something about it makes it feel clean. It is a silicone based product so it spreads very easily. For eye lid primer? Well I'm still testing a variety of brands. I have liked Urban Decay's product. But I'm not a fan of the applicator. It forces you to use more than you need. I got a free product sample of Too Faced which I enjoyed and I am currently testing Kat Von D's primer. All three are around $20.
June 3, 2010
Taryn's Tip
A lot of stores offer CVS style rewards programs. JOIN THEM! Yes, it does provide the stores with a freaky, stalker-esque way of tracking your purchases. However, these programs also have great rewards. Two examples of great programs are located at Ulta Beauty and Sephora.
Ulta Beauty's program involves a regular delivery of coupons. They total the amount of your purchases in a given time period (there are four periods in a year, but they are not evenly split quarters). Based on the amount you have spent in the store you get a special coupon that entitles you to one free product. The more you spend, the higher the "level" of gift coupon. Some examples of free products involve a L'Oreal lipstick, hairbrush, nail polish etc. If you progress into the higher Levels, the freebies get better. You have access to more professional brand products such as Murad. Why is this great? Because the freebies you get are FULL SIZE products. Crazy!
Sephora's Beauty Access program involves the accumulation of points. When you join, you also get on the email list to receive coupons. This is great because Sephora doesn't really have "sales" and their coupons are few and far between. Once you achieve 100 points, you can select from a trio of mini products. This trio is frequently rotated so there is usually a fresh choice. Sephora does a good job of rotating the bigger name brands in with Sephora's own product line. You can choose to not redeem at the 100 point level and continue to accumulate. When you reach 500 points, you can take a full size product. This prize is also rotated on a pretty regular basis. Why awesome? Cause you get to try a pretty cool product for spending money you would've already spent. I recently redeemed 500 points at Sephora for the following items from Too Faced: sample size Lash Injection mascara, a sample of their eye lid primer, and a palette containing eye shadows, 4 lip glosses, and a blush (all coordinating). All of this was in a cute animal print clutch.
Moral of the story? If you are going to spend money in these stores anyway, why not get rewarded? And if you're going to shop online, use www.ebates.com (tell them I sent you) and earn cash back. Both stores offer free shipping for purchases over $50. Both also include 3 free samples with your order (sample selections are also rotated frequently).
Ulta Beauty's program involves a regular delivery of coupons. They total the amount of your purchases in a given time period (there are four periods in a year, but they are not evenly split quarters). Based on the amount you have spent in the store you get a special coupon that entitles you to one free product. The more you spend, the higher the "level" of gift coupon. Some examples of free products involve a L'Oreal lipstick, hairbrush, nail polish etc. If you progress into the higher Levels, the freebies get better. You have access to more professional brand products such as Murad. Why is this great? Because the freebies you get are FULL SIZE products. Crazy!
Sephora's Beauty Access program involves the accumulation of points. When you join, you also get on the email list to receive coupons. This is great because Sephora doesn't really have "sales" and their coupons are few and far between. Once you achieve 100 points, you can select from a trio of mini products. This trio is frequently rotated so there is usually a fresh choice. Sephora does a good job of rotating the bigger name brands in with Sephora's own product line. You can choose to not redeem at the 100 point level and continue to accumulate. When you reach 500 points, you can take a full size product. This prize is also rotated on a pretty regular basis. Why awesome? Cause you get to try a pretty cool product for spending money you would've already spent. I recently redeemed 500 points at Sephora for the following items from Too Faced: sample size Lash Injection mascara, a sample of their eye lid primer, and a palette containing eye shadows, 4 lip glosses, and a blush (all coordinating). All of this was in a cute animal print clutch.
Moral of the story? If you are going to spend money in these stores anyway, why not get rewarded? And if you're going to shop online, use www.ebates.com (tell them I sent you) and earn cash back. Both stores offer free shipping for purchases over $50. Both also include 3 free samples with your order (sample selections are also rotated frequently).
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