Pretty Flaky

I was stopped at a red light a couple of days ago when I glanced into the mirror on my visor, as I often do, to do my makeup. What I saw really shocked me. In the harsh glare of the sunlight, it was obvious that my skin was flaky, particularly around my forehead and jaw. Also, my entire neck looked flaky and slightly crepey as well, as if it had aged overnight. Not pretty.
I was tempted to slather on a thick moisturizer, which could have led to breakouts and more problems. I know that flaky skin is just as often a sign of sensitivity as it is a sign of dryness, so I treated it as gently as I could. And I resumed my skincare routine, which I've slacked off on recently. I started using my Clarisonic again, followed by my Giella Renouveau glycolic acid gel, and my Peter Thomas Roth Power-C Facial Firming Lift. Now, the flakes are gone, and my skin looks normal again! Since I've never had flaky skin before in my life, I'm chalking it up to one of those wierd pregnancy things... When you neglect your skin in pregnancy, it will do something to force you to take notice!

The Best (and Prettiest) Lip Packaging Ever

This is not like my usual "best ever" lists. It's sort of a bonus. I picked the lipsticks and glosses with the prettiest packaging. Unfortunately, many of these are limited editions, and change frequently, so if you love to pull something pretty and girly out of your handbag for touch-ups, you'll need to act quickly!

1. Paul and Joe Autumn Creations Lipstick: Boho-chic florals and paisleys adorn this French company’s lipsticks, which come in three shades. $18
2. Anna Sui Dolly Girl Lipstick: Shimmery, shiny, and fruity, with the most whimsical packaging ever. $20
3. Pout Lipstick: A metallic pink tube covered in a seductive fishnet print. What could be hotter? $16
4. Benefit Shangri-La Sheers: A glamorous black tube adorned with organza ribbon and an exotic Asian print holds any of three sheer shades. $18
5. Versace’s Lips: A luscious pearly formula in the most glamorous gold tube ever— adorned with Versace’s Medusa logo, of course. $23
6. Bourjois Rouge Connection Lipstick: Jewel-toned metallic tubes capped in satin gold house shimmering shades. $14
7. Anna Sui Ring Rouge: The designer’s signature rose is interpreted here in a ring that doubles as a tiny pot of rouge. $12
8. Body & Soul Lip Glow: A collectable metal tin featuring a vintage glamour illustration contains a moist, silky gloss. $16.50
9. Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss: A glassy square tube with the Dior logo is sealed with a black cap and capped off with a gold knob for a gloss that doubles as a fashion accessory. $22
10. Hard Candy Key to My Heart Lipgloss: A keychain is attached to what looks like any other adorable Hard Candy lipgloss cube, until you open it. Inside, you’ll find two different shades of gloss in heart-shaped pots. $6
11. Hard Candy Roller Girl Lipgloss: These retro roller glosses come in day-glo colors and fruity candy flavors. $8
12. Pixi Lip Crème: This retro upside-down tube has a great shape that reminds me of a vintage nail polish. $20
13. Sephora Girl Glitter Mini Bille Lipgloss: These mini, retro rollers are whimsically illustrated with girlie-girl images. $6
14. Stila Lip Pots: Adorable glass pots illustrated with fresh floral designs hold hydrating, shiny lip tints. $16
15. Sugar Cosmetics Lip Fever: These adorably shaped tubes hold both a gloss and a liner. $19
16. Too Faced Couture Lipgloss Luxe: A luxury lipgloss in a luxurious, vintage-inspired pot reminiscent of silver-screen starlets. $18
17. Urban Decay Lube-in-a-Tube: Each tube represents one of four fabulous cities—Chicago, New York, LA, and Miami—with packaging that’s illustrated accordingly. $11
18. Urban Decay XXX Slick Pot Gloss: A clear, round pot that’s accented with a playful purple tassel. $15
19. Lola Lip Crème: A metallic red tube capped off with a sketch of a black heart provides a touch of uninhibited glamour. $20
20. Lip Lingerie Lipgloss: An ultra-girlie pink box houses a perfectly portable pot of gloss in more pink packaging. $20

What I learned from my old pictures

I was looking through some old pictures today when I came across two of myself that I actually love. In one of them, I am at a ball with my husband and everything about the picture is perfect. My hair fell just right, there are no little lines around my eyes, my skin looks smooth and glowing and the makeup is perfect. It was one of those nights when everything came together.

What I learned from this picture: I need to spend a bit more time on my makeup, even on an everyday basis. I especially need to make sure that I am wearing a little highlighting cream or powder when I go out, because I love that glow. And I need more rest. Which I'm not going to get. For a long time. Oh well.

The other was taken a couple of months after our wedding, and it was a group picture with my in-laws. My makeup looks good, the dress is cute, but the hair is what captured my attention. The thing I love about this picture is that I still have the highlights from my pre-wedding visit to Oscar Blandi.

What I learned from this picture: I need highlights again. They gave dimension and interest to my hair, rather than making it look like one long dark mass. They looked pretty and subtle and just gave my hair some added oomph! Now I just need to find the time to have them done again...

All or Nothing?

Last week I was hanging out with my aunt and my mom when my mom commented that my aunt's feet looked really dry. It turns out that she scrubs them with a foot buffer every time she is in the shower, but then she skips the lotion afterwards. This led to a conversation about how tired and busy she was, and how she doesn't have the energy to tackle her beauty routines. It seems she had fallen into the All or Nothing Trap.
I am also prone to this trap, so I completely understood. I decide that the ideal skincare routine for me involves 17 steps and 37 minutes, and since I don't have the time or energy for this, I go to sleep with my makeup on and skip skincare entirely. I may be exaggerating, but not by much. I struggle with viewing beauty routines as an all or nothing proposition. Either I indulge in elaborate time-consuming routines, or I skip my morning shower and go out with greasy skin. But there is a middle ground - a practical, common-sense, sane way to approach beauty. And it involves paring down your routine to something manageable, and doing it religiously, consistently. That's how you see results. Keep it simple. Here are a few timesaving tips:

1. Keep Skincare Simple: Find a great, multipurpose multi-ingredient anti-aging cream. Bonus points if it has sunscreen for daytime use, and a non-sunscreen version for nighttime use. Look for a cream that's packed with skinsavers like antioxidants, hydroxy acids, and retinol.

2. Try a moisturizing body wash like Olay Moisturinse. It saves you the step of moisturizing afterwards.

3. Use a single cream for your entire body. Who says you need a separate hand cream, foot cream, etc.?

4. Keep a bottle of hand lotion next to every sink in the house, and sunscreen next to every door in the house, to make taking care of your skin as convenient as possible. (Of course, the sunscreen on your way out should be a supplement to the sunscreen you already applied in the morning).

5. Save a step by using a sunscreen in place of a hand cream or a body lotion every morning. Pick a moisturizing formula. It's often less expensive to buy a sunscreen that moisturizes, as nearly all of them do, then to buy a moisturizer with sunscreen. One exception: Lubriderm with SPF15. It's light, fresh-smelling, non-greasy, and pleasant to apply all over.

The Best Lip Palettes Ever

This category covers the very best lip palettes regardless of price. Feel free to weigh in on your favorites. This list is actually comprised of two separate lists:
1) The Beauty Insider's Picks: My own personal list of the best products in that category, in no particular order
2) The Popular Vote: The results of a poll I did of over 1000 beauty-savvy consumers, in order of popularity.

The Beauty Insider's Picks
1. Smashbox Lip Brilliance (“Skybox”): These handy, compact lip palettes feature a trio of wearable, glossy lipsticks. “Skybox” is a selection of cool-toned neutrals. $26
2. Black Opal Lipcolor Kit (“Glazed Berries”): Although this line is designed for African American women, the portable, wearable lip kits are popular with women of all skin tones. They’re easy, affordable, and offer a great selection of shades. “Glazed Berries” offers a quartet of burnished berry hues. $5.25
3. Trish McEvoy Natural Maxed Out Lip & Gloss Kit: One sleek, black compact the size of a credit card holds ten of McEvoy’s most universally flattering and popular shades. $19
4. Bloom Lip Palette: This diminutive palette packs eight of the company’s most popular glosses into one slim compact. A dual-ended lip brush takes the mess out of application. $25
5. Fresh “Orlando” Lip Shine Palette: This sleek palette of creamy, high gloss shades features sheer, shimmery, subtle pastels with dazzling names like “Crystal” and “Etoile.” $36
6. Pout Lip Brush Palette (“Tie Me Up”): Four of Pout’s best-selling evening shades can be found inside this pink-lace-patterned compact. $30
7. Hard Candy Lip Sync Quartet (“Drama Queen”): Four lipsticks in a variety of textures and finishes, from sheer to matte to gloss, and a versatile array of neutral rose shades are captured in one adorably portable package. $25
8. Pixi Gloss Kit (“Perfect Nude”): An ultra-slim compact contains eight shades of transclucent nudes designed to bring out your natural beauty. $28
9. Pop Beauty Kiss Mix (“Passionate Kiss”): Cute and compact, this palette features a quartet of silky, lightweight, sheer-red, strawberry-scented shades. $18
10. Too Faced “Valley of the Divas” Lip Trip: This fun compact looks like a pill case, but packs a prettier punch. Six shades of gloss take you from neutral to glam, while aloe vera and sweet almond oil soothe and hydrate. $18.50

The Popular Vote
1. MAC Holiday, Varies
2. Sonia Kashuk Lip Palette in “Neutrals”, Discontinued
3. Stila Pocket Palette in “Quad #1”, $36
4. NARS Lip Palette in “Hot Sauce”, $45
5. Bobbi Brown Lip Palette in “Neutral”, $48
6. Urban Decay Lip Arsenal, Discontinued.
7. Laura Mercier Lip Paints #3 (Sheers), $50
8. Bloom Lip Palette—8 Shades, $25
9. Chantecaille Lipgloss Palette in “Les Delices” (Limited Edition), $68; LORAC Lip Palette Pro 9, $30, Smashbox Lip Brilliance “Stage 2” and “Transparencies”, $26 (TIE)
10. Clinique Breast Cancer Awareness Lip Palette, Varies
Price: Varies; new palette introduced annually

Brush with Disaster

I couldn't resist naming this blog something dramatic, even though the subject really isn't. For the last couple of weeks, I've been toting my Nars Orgasm blush in my on-the-go makeup case, the one I use everyday in my car. And for some reason, it doesn't seem to be showing up the way it used to. It seems like I have to apply much more makeup to the brush to get it to show up at all, and it's not as smooth as usual. Today, I finally figured out what had changed, and it wasn't the blush. It was the brush. Unfortunately, I misplaced my Bobbi Brown travel blush brush, so I've been using some random cheap brush to apply it. This cheap brush doesn't hold the powder at all, so it flies all over the place and very little ends up on my face. The color that does show up on my face is uneven and not as intense as I would like. When I dug up another great brush (from MAC) and applied the blush with it, I was thrilled. It looked the way it should. That's why makeup artists are always emphasizing the right tools for the job. They're indispensable. A cheap brush can ruin expensive blush!

Product Review: Relax & Wax No Scream Cream

I have been getting regular bikini waxes since my early 20s, and, even though I didn't exactly enjoy the process, I tolerated it pretty well. It became routine. Until I got pregnant. Suddenly, a simple bikini wax became a date with torture. It is absolutely brutal. Pregnancy just makes you that much more sensitive. So when I spotted Relax & Wax No Scream Cream at a local salon, I snapped it up immediately. At $15.95 for 1 oz., it's not cheap, but anything that can alleviate the pain is well worth it. Here's the scoop:
Wax made a pleasure with this gentle, safe anesthetic.Description: Wax your bikini line, or any other area without the pain! No Scream Cream brings you a topical anesthetic that alleviates exhausting wax-related pain that doesn't interfere with standard wax formulas. Safe, natural formula numbs waxing area for a painless experience easily and is ideal for all skin types. Recommended Use: Apply 30 - 45 minutes prior to waxing. Active Ingredients: Benzocaine 20%

My experience: The first time I used this, I didn't give it a fair shot, because I didn't apply it early enough for it to kick in by the time the wax rolled around. I didn't notice any difference that time. The second time, however, I followed the directions and applied plenty of the cream half an hour before the wax. Sadly, it didn't seem to work at all. There was absolutely no improvement. As a matter of fact, my esthetician said I seemed more sensitive. I don't think this had anything to do with the cream, but I do know that it didn't work for me the second time. I am going to give it one more try before giving up (what do I have to lose) but I am afraid that raging pregnacy hormones are too much of a challenge for a simple topical anesthetic. Unfortunately, I can't recommend it, but I am going to give it another try post-baby.

Have you tried No Scream Cream? If so, I would love to hear what you thought!

The Very Best Lipglosses, Ever

This category covers the very best lipgloss, regardless of price. Feel free to weigh in on your favorites. This list is actually comprised of two separate lists:
1) The Beauty Insider's Picks: My own personal list of the best products in that category, in no particular order
2) The Popular Vote: The results of a poll I did of over 1000 beauty-savvy consumers, in order of popularity.

The Beauty Insider's Picks
1. Too Faced Gossip Gloss (“Smack Talker”): Gossip Gloss goes on light, is virtually weightless, and can be layered from sheer to shocking. It’s not too sticky, or super-shiny, and it lasts forever. “Smack Talker” is a watermelon-flavored, rosy pink hue. $16
2. Sebastian Trucco Divinyls (“Baby Doll”): This sheer, scented gloss goes on smooth, is non-sticky, and is virtually weightless. “Baby Doll” is a gorgeous gold-flecked milky pink that makes lips look innocently alluring. $11
3. MAC Lipglass (all shades): The gloss-lover’s gloss, this is the formula others are measured against. It’s sticky enough to last forever, very glossy, and contains enough pigment to layer for the desired effect. My favorite shades include “C-Thru,” “Oh Baby,” “Prrr,” “Chai,” “Relay Race”… $13.50
4. Hard Candy Lip Stix SPF 12 (“Snazzy”): This reminds me of Divinyls, but it’s sheerer, more natural, and not as thick and sticky. Light on the lips but with super shimmery shine and a great selection of shades. “Snazzy” is a gold-flecked pinky peach that is so flattering. $12
5. Bloom Lipgloss (“Tint”): This sheer, shiny gloss offers a hint of juicy color and a great flavor composed of a mix of essential oils. To me, it tastes like a Creamsicle. “Tint” looks dark red in the tube, but when applied it’s a sheer berry-red color with a hint of pink. It works with pink and red, and can be layered for more intensity. $17
6. Stila Lipgloss (“Peach Shine”): A pearly high shine gloss that feels light and creamy. Adjustable from an almost opaque, lacquered finish to a sheer natural one. “Peach Shine” is aptly named: it’s shiny, peachy (without bordering on orange), and pretty. $17
7. Cargo Lipgloss (“Soho”): The gloss is soft so it’s easy to apply, and the colors are beautiful, moisturizing, and very glossy. Plus, it lasts forever. “Soho” is a sophisticated duo of shimmery neutrals. $19
8. Chanel Glossimer (“Pulsar”): A gorgeous shimmery finish that is lightweight and feels fabulous on your lips. Chanel makes the best reds, and “Pulsar” is no exception: a gorgeous classic cherry. $24.50
9. Clinique Glosswear (“Tender Heart”): Easy and effortless to apply, the sponge-tipped applicator picks up just enough product to cover both lips without being messy. Color is glossy and semi-sheer. “Tender Heart” is a soft neutral pink that creates an almost nude pout. $13.50
10. Madina Milano Hologram Lipgloss (“03”): This daring gloss lives up to its name. The intense iridescent shine with all the colors of a hologram is like a disco ball for you lips. Shade # “03” looks a little scary in the tube—a combination of purples and greens—but on the lips it magically transforms them into pearly polished perfection. $30

The Popular Vote
1. MAC Lipglass in “Nymphette”, $13.50
2. Clinique Glosswear in “Air Kiss”, $13.50
3. Laura Mercier Lip Glace in “Ambre Rose Glace” (Discontinued shade.), $19
4. Bobbi Brown Lipgloss in all shades, $18
5. Chantecaille Lipgloss in “Nectar”, $25
6-10. Stila Lip Glaze in “Watermelon” and “Grapefruit” (tie), $24; Bloom Lipgloss in “Sugar”, $17; Chanel Glossimers in “Blizzard”, $24.50; DuWop Lip Venom (clear), $15; Neutrogena Moistureshine Gloss in “Glimmer”, $6.50 (approx.); 5 Way Tie

Skin and Water

I just watched the Oprah episode where Dr. Oz talks about hsi anti-aging plan, and, me being me, the thing that stuck with me the most was his announcement about skin and water. He basically said that the amount of water you drink does not affect your skin one way or another. First of all, for those of us who've always equated great skin with drinking lots of water, this is shocking. Revolutionary, even. It's amazing to think that everything we've been told about the connection between skin and water has been wrong. And, for those of us, like me, who've always struggled to drink water, it came as a relief. I hate water. I know it's shocking to say, but I really don't like it. I've always struggled to drink it, and I've always felt guilty that, with everything I do to the outside of my skin to care for it, I wasn't doing enough because I wasn't drinking water.
Dr. Oz said that there is water in everything we eat, so unless you're dehydrated, there's no need to force liquids to help your skin. He even did a study with these twins where they ate the exact same diet for a week. The difference was that one of them drank water, and the other didn't. There was absolutely no difference in their skin at the end of the week.
So, since most of us carry around a laundry list in our minds of things to feel guilty about, things we aren't doing well enough or should be doing more of, it's nice (and rare!) to learn that there's one less thing to feel guilty about.

The Best Lip Liners Ever

This category covers the very best lip liners, regardless of price. Feel free to weigh in on your favorites. This list is actually comprised of two separate lists:
1) The Beauty Insider's Picks: My own personal list of the best products in that category, in no particular order
2) The Popular Vote: The results of a poll I did of over 1000 beauty-savvy consumers, in order of popularity.

The Beauty Insider's Picks
1. MAC Lip Pencil (“Spice”): This may be an obvious choice, but that doesn’t make it any less valid. MAC “Spice” is undoubtedly one of the best neutral liners on the market. $11.50
2. NARS Lip Pencil (“Rosebud”): This formula is not too creamy or too dry, and it’s firm enough to draw an even line. “Rosebud” is a neutral pink that could become your everyday shade. $18
3. LORAC Eye & Lip Pencil (“#18”): This creamy, long lasting liner glides on smoothly and makes precision lining goofproof. Dramatic yet wearable, “#18” is the perfect brown. $12
4. Vincent Longo Lip Pencil (“Naked”): Sure, it’s expensive, but there is a great selection of wearable shades and a formula that’s not too soft, not too hard. “Naked” is a great pale neutral shade. $21.50
5. Lancome Le Lipstique (“Rougelle”): One end features a creamy, waterproof liner, while the other end features a handy brush for blending. This lasts forever and can also double as a lipstick more easily than most pencils. Reds are notoriously tricky to apply, but with this pencil, even a classic true red like “Rougelle” goes on with precision. $20
6. Julie Hewett Omit Pencil: This neutral concealer can be used to disguise flaws and to highlight lips. Simply line outside your natural lip line to even out the line and accentuate lip color. $12
7. Paula Dorf (“Goddess”): Smooth and saturated with vitamin E, this is destined to become a daily staple. “Goddess” is a versatile medium-hued neutral. $15
8. Cargo The Reverse Lipliner: This natural liner was designed to be used with the company’s famed lipglosses. It defines and plumps, while keeping gloss from slipping away. $14
9. Clinique Sheer Shaper for Lips (“Bare Buff”): While it may seem counterintuitive to pick a liner with less pigment, this liner can’t be beat for foolproof, long-lasting, natural color that helps lock lipstick in place. “Bare Buff” is a neutral beige. $13.50
10. Avon Glimmerstick Lip Liner (“Clear”): This retractable, self-sharpening liner glides on smooth and creamy and won’t budge. “Clear” is an invisible shade that can accentuate and define the lip line and keep color from bleeding. $6

The Popular Vote
1. MAC Lip Pencil in “Spice”, $11.50
2. Chanel Precision Lip Definer in “Nude”, $26.50
3. Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Liner in “Tawny”, $20
4. Wet ‘n’ Wild Crème Lipliner Pencil in “Brandywine #666”, $.99
5. Laura Mercier Lip Pencil in “Chestnut”, $16
6. Prestige Lipliner in “Silk”, $3.19 (approx.)
7. Lancome Le Lipstique LipColouring Stick with Brush in “Bronzelle”, $20
8. Stila Lip Pencil in “Contour #4”, $14
9. Clinique Quickliner for Lips, $13.50
10. NARS Lipliner Pencil in “Rosebud”, $18

The End-of-Pregnancy Blues

I have less than 6 weeks left of my pregnancy, and I've definitely hit a slump. Here are the things that just arent' working for me anymore:
1. My belly: It's massive. (I'll post pictures soon). I can't bend over at the waist. I can't stoop down or squat or find any other way to comfortably pick something up. I have a stitch in my left side that won't go away and I'm having cramps and false contractions. Fun.
2. My wardrobe: I have hardly worn any of my maternity things during this pregnancy, managing to skate by with this season's babydoll and empire tunics and dresses. And this strategy worked really well, for a while. Now, my non-maternity clothes are starting to look odd, comical, or just plain wrong.
3. My skin: It's dull, it's dreary, and it really needs a good dose of non-pregnancy-safe products and treatments.
But the hardest part is the exhaustion. I am wiped out, all the time, and physically really uncomfortable, which is making it really hard to keep up with my fiesty little Lola. So even though I really love being pregnant, overall, and even though these are the last few weeks of what is probably my last pregnancy, I am looking forward to the end.