It has been months…for awhile we didn’t want to get him a haircut because we like him fluffy. Then, we thought he needed the long coat because it began to snow. Then, our schedules just didn’t allow for a convenient trip to the groomers – therefore, we now have an overgrown shichon (shitzu-bishone mix)- you can barely see his eyes – someone get him a banana clip to tie back his bangs STAT
Author: BethonBeauty
help me I’m white as a sheet
I admit it…I put my whitish/pink Irish body into a tanning bed…in high school and college (ok and even after). It pains me to even type that because it’s really scary how risky all that tanning was (not even including the ACTUAL beach). I knew about the warnings but apparently I felt it more important to have a glow. Humans…we just live in the moment, aware of potential consequences but totally willing to ‘forget’ as to get whatever instant gratification we’re looking for. For now, I’ll step off my soap box and put aside the fact that I fake baked myself for years and have since had a mole removed and lived in fear of skin cancer. The good news = there are ways to get a glow without having to step into a tanning booth.
My favorite self tanners…after years of trial and error…streaky legs and orange hands =
Clarins Liquid Bronze Self-Tanning for Face & Decollete
*This is for the face and neck (apparently that’s what ‘decollete’ means, who knew). It is a light liquid – a less powerful scent making it easy to use on your face. I put it on a cotton ball and swipe it around. The color is great and natural. It ain’t cheap @ $33 but I’ve had my first and only bottle for over a year and I don’t see it running out anytime soon…you literally use so little of it. For the face, I love this brand because it is more gentle. For the record, I tried the Clarins self tanner for the body…it worked fine but I only got a couple uses out of the tube (Clarins Self-Tanning Instant Gel) and because it cost upwards of $30, I didn’t feel like it was worth it.
L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Self Tanning Lotion
*I use this on my body (sans face + neck) – couple of great things about this product – it is rich and creamy so I feel like I can cover myself well and evenly. It has SPF 15 in it – so I’ve lathered it on before the beach…which I found fantastic because I was protecting my skin while simultaneously getting a tan woooop. Natural color…I’ve gotten a few complements on it, which is always key with self tanners (people notice and not because you look like an oompa-loompa). The smell is so-so…has the scent of a self tanner but it doesn’t linger like others. I love that it is only $10 and I get multiple uses out of the bottle. The spray version of this brand is rumored to be good too. 
First image source: http://www.spray-tan-byron-bay.com/images/TomJones1
OH and, if you live in/around the city – the BEST place for a spray tan = http://beautybarboston.com/
$35 and you are sprayed-by-hand. The ladies here are so nice and do a great job. My only caveat – you have to let the tanner set for awhile. I usually get it done in the evening when I have no other plans (because I look very brown after), let it sit for the night, then shower off the excess color in the morning. The resulting tan is so natural looking and lasts for a few days…it is AMAZING for big events (i.e. weddings, beach vacations). I feel great with this tan.
Tried something different for dark circles…
This blog can’t be all about the good…that’d be boring. Although I wouldn’t put this in the extreme ‘it sucked’ bucket, I need to point out that it’s ‘NOT SO MUCH’ worth the money…
The Lady @ the Laura Mercier (LM) counter suggested the ‘under eye perfecter.’ It comes in a little pot…and it’s this mauve/rose color. You are suppose to put a light coating under your eye, before you apply your concealer. The color is questionable and the’LM lady’ admitted that too much would make me look ‘like death’ – but apparently the red tones cancel out the purple color in under eye circles. She applied it with a concealer brush and put LM secret concealer over it. I looked in the mirror and thought ‘dang, this looks good!’ My under eye circles were masked, it really did cancel out the purple. I was sold and bought a pot.
I’ve had this pot for over 3 months and used it about 3x…honestly, I can’t seem to get the same effect at home. Either I look ‘like death’ or I feel like I’m putting too much under my eyes since I have to cover it with concealer. At the end of the day, might be a good thing to have on hand for a special event when I want to ‘do it up.’ But for everyday, I find it too complicated and risky. The rose color is just frightening…and not easy to work with.
Cost: $22
For the record: http://www.lauramercier.com/store/product/productDetails.jsp?prodId=prod80002¤tSkuId=sku60012
Moisturizers for tha face
Facial moisturizers…I’ve tried so many – from the $7 CVS brand to the $75 Chanel (who am I?) moisturizer. I am willing to pay extra on the one BIG condition – that is WORKS…that results are noticeable (oh and, the product actually last more than a month). Thus far I haven’t found any miracle creams – I might need to give up that quest one day. But recently I found this new moisturizer at Sephora. It ain’t cheap ($55) but it is great for sensitive skin and it’s also free of synthetic ingredients. The line of products is called REN – this is what they’re all about:
http://www.renskincare.com/AboutRen/FivePrinciples.aspx
As I read more and more about the chemicals in make up, skin, and body care products I tryyyy to find products for myself with less/no synthetic ingredients (although you will find I use plenty that don’t follow these rules, eek). The idea of chemicals seeping through my skin freaks me out!! I have tried some ‘organic/all natural’ skin care lines but just because those boast natural/cleaner benefits it doesn’t mean my skin loves them. I have eczema on my face and can get dry patches so I need something that works and have to avoid strong fragrances. I am also prone to break outs.
So, I tried REN Hydra-Calm Global Protection Day Cream http://www.renskincare.com/p/3112/Hydra-Calm+Global+Protection+Day+Cream
Two pumps cover my face and neck. Making sure I cover my neck these days is important – as the neck tends to age quicker than the face for some woman, eek!
I would recommend this daily moisturizer to anyone looking for cream that moisturizers well, doesn’t leave you too greasy, and is looking for a product with less/no synthetic ingredients. I also found the bottle lasts a few months – which is good when you’re forking over $55. I got mine at Sephora but it’s also sold at Barney’s (and prob other places)
Covering blemishes and raccoon eyes
Cover-up…I don’t leave home without it. For awhile, I was partial to Doir’s cover up – it lasted FOREVER, came in a navy blue tube – which was convenient. But then they shrunk the size of the container and kept the price the same. So, I tried something else and haven’t looked back. I’ve also noticed – my chin breaks out a lot less…hmmm, could have been that the Dior concealer was covering up my blemishes well but also causing them??
Annoying.
Now I use Laura Mercier’s “secret concealer.” http://www.lauramercier.com/store/shop/Concealers_Secret-Concealer_prod220006
It comes in a convenient little pot – it goes on smooth and covers great. I use it for my dark circles and blemishes. I have gone through 3 of these guys! It doesn’t make my skin break out. It costs $22 for one pot – but the pot lasts at least 3-4 months – depending how much you use. I am color #2 (I’m pretty fair and used the same color in the winter and summer). So, if you’re looking for a good concealer – try this one. They sell it at Sephora, Saks, Nordstrom etc. It’s easy to find.
Image Source: Lauramercier.com
@BethOnBeauty 